On May 29, 2024, the Atlantic Council GeoTech Center launched its latest report, Generational AI: Digital Inclusions for Aging Populations. Authored by Assistant Director Caroline Thompson, the report outlines the unique considerations for older adults within the artificial intelligence (AI) lifecycle, barriers to digital inclusion that older adults experience regarding AI, and suggested solutions to advance digital inclusion and mitigate biases against older adults, while supporting practical AI innovation, AI policy, and healthy aging.

The event included an overview of the report and its three major policy recommendations to improve digital inclusion of older adults in the AI lifecycle by the author, a panel discussion to delve deeper into the unique intersection of artificial intelligence and aging featuring Melanie MacNeil, Policy Analyst, Digital Security and Safety Team, Science, Technology and Innovation at OECD, Johanna Shelton, External Affairs Lead, US Policy & Partnerships, Global Affairs at OpenAI, Michael Phillips, Director of Technology Strategy and Partnerships at AARP, and Lloyd Whitman, Senior Advisor at the Atlantic Council, along with recorded comments from Raul Brens Jr., Acting Senior Director and Senior Fellow of the Atlantic Council GeoTech Center. 

The discussions addressed the importance of the inclusion of older adults in emerging technology, considerations for older adults within the AI lifecycle stages of design, development, and deployment, existing gaps in the digital inclusion of older adults within the AI lifecycle, and recommendations for the industry and policymakers to address these gaps and work toward inclusive and empowering practices for aging adults to pave the way for an equitable landscape where older Americans are not merely passive recipients, but active contributors and beneficiaries of the AI revolution.  

This report and event have been made possible through the generous support of AARP. All views expressed in the report and event may not necessarily reflect the views of AARP. Throughout this process, the author engaged in confidential consultations with many well-known private and public organizations. These discussions were instrumental in shaping the contents of this report. Consequently, to maintain confidentiality, specific affiliations are not disclosed in the report or event.