Older adults are cautious of AI, poll says

The University of Michigan published findings from the National Poll on Healthy Aging, regarding older adults’ attitudes toward artificial intelligence (AI).

Notably, most are intrigued by AI and almost all adults surveyed prefer to be notified when something is AI-generated, according to a release. Nearly 50% were not positive they could spot misinformation generated by AI. The poll surveyed adults over 50 years of age.

Additional key findings:

• 55% of older adults “have ever used an AI technology that they spoke or typed messages to for a variety of purposes on a variety of devices.”
• Over three quarters (80%) of participants that used AI voice assistance emphasized their usefulness, stating they are “beneficial for helping them live independently and safely in their home.”

Only 14% of poll participants have used AI to obtain health information. Of those:

• 47% would have preferred to communicate with a human.
• Nearly one quarter (26%) found little difference between the AI and interacting with a human.

Furthermore, many older adults expressed interest in learning about the risks of using AI (81%). Just over half (53%) think AI will do more harm than good, but 49% showed “some trust” in AI.