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Seniors are embracing artificial intelligence, but with some caution

A University of Michigan poll finds intense interest in the potential risks

Updated:

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Mark Huffman
Reporter

Mark Huffman has covered consumer issues since 2004, with a special focus on protecting and empowering older adults. A former news correspondent for the Associated Press Radio Network, Westwood One, and ConsumerAffairs, Mark brings decades of journalistic experience to RetirementLiving.com. He is passionate about giving consumers a voice and helping them make informed decisions. Mark has also created educational content, including Senior Scam Alert, a video resource designed to help seniors recognize and avoid fraud. He holds a B.A. from the University of Kentucky and lives with his family in Richmond, Virginia.

Photo by Igor Omilaev on Unsplash

Key Insights

  • 92% of people over 50 want transparency about whether the content they consume is AI-generated.
  • Older adults find AI tools like voice assistants and home security devices helpful for independent living.
  • While AI sparks interest, older adults express strong concerns about risks and the accuracy of AI-generated information.

Despite preconceived notions about older adults and technology, a significant number of seniors are using artificial intelligence. However, a new poll shows their enthusiasm is tempered with skepticism and a clear call for transparency and safety.

The survey from the University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging found that people aged 50 and older are actively engaging with AI technologies—yet remain wary of the risks, particularly when it comes to trust and health information.

Just over half (55%) of older adults have used AI in some form, including voice-based assistants such as Amazon Alexa, Siri, or Google Nest. Among those who used these devices in the past year, 80% found them beneficial in supporting independent living, and nearly a third (28%) considered them very beneficial.

AI-enhanced home security systems have also made inroads, with 35% of respondents having used them. An overwhelming majority of this group said these tools were helpful for staying safe and self-sufficient at home.

However, when it comes to using AI for health information, enthusiasm wanes. Only 14% of those polled have used AI to receive health-related information. Of that group, nearly half preferred human interaction instead, highlighting a crucial trust gap when AI interfaces with personal health.

Curiosity about the risks

Despite a growing familiarity with AI tools, older adults are deeply concerned about the potential downsides. While 58% expressed interest in learning more about AI’s benefits, 81% wanted to better understand the risks.

Robin Brewer, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the U-M School of Information and a health AI researcher, said, “AI is here to stay,” said Robin Brewer, an assistant professor at the U-M School of Information. “Many older adults seem to know about its benefits, yet most want more information about potential risks.” 

Brewer said that the near-universal desire to know when content is AI-generated signals a need for clear labeling, especially in media and health communications.

Trust and confidence

When it comes to trusting AI-generated content, the older population is split. Nearly half expressed some level of trust, but only 4% said they trust AI-generated information “a lot.” The remainder, 47%, said they had little or no trust in AI.

This caution is compounded by low confidence in identifying AI-generated misinformation. About half of the respondents admitted they would struggle to detect incorrect or fake AI-generated content. This includes “hallucinations,” where AI tools produce convincing but inaccurate responses, and “deepfakes,” where AI is used to fabricate realistic but false images or videos.