Earlier this year, AARP published “2024 Tech Trends and Adults 50+,” an annual report that highlights cutting-edge research into how older adults are using technology and their attitudes toward it. This week, we wrap up our three-part series highlighting some of the report’s key takeaways, focusing on some misgivings people who are 50-plus have about technology, including attitudes toward the newest tech frontier: generative artificial intelligence (AI).
You can see Part 1 of this series, focusing on device ownership and digital services, here; and Part 2, focusing on wellness and social engagement, here.
Tech Hesitations
Although people who are 50-plus are comfortable with the technology that they already use, they are much more likely than younger consumers to take a wait-and-see approach before adopting new tech. Reasons include a large percentage (about 30%) lacking confidence in their digital literacy skills and the widespread belief that new technology solutions are non-inclusive — that is, not designed with their age group in mind.
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Among people aged 18–49, 24% percent self-identify as early adopters of technology, and an additional 65% adopt technology after it has been around for a moderate period of time.
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By contrast, early adoption rates fall off sharply as age increases: Only 17% of people 50–59, 9% of people 60–69, and 6% of people 70–79 consider themselves early adopters. However, the percentage of people in each age range who adopt technology that’s been around a while is slightly higher (about 67%) than those aged 18–49.
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Confidence in adopting new tech drops off as people age, with 72% of people in their 50s, 65% of people in their 60s, and 61% of people in their 70s reporting confidence in their digital literacy skills.
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On average, 64% of people over 50 report they don’t believe technological solutions are designed with them in mind. Common reasons cited for this perception include confusing and jargon-heavy instructions, complex setup processes, too many unnecessary options and forced updates, and a lack of educational and training opportunities.
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Most people who are 50-plus (71%) prefer to have a friend or family member teach them how to use new technology, versus using online tutorials (60%) or simply playing around with the tech to figure it out on their own (56%).
New Tech Frontiers
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has taken the world by storm in the past couple of years, but the levels of engagement with it vary starkly by age.
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Among adults aged 18–49, 40% have either used generative AI or want to use it. Less than half of that number—18%— of people over 50 have used or want to use it. Notably, 20% of people over 50 who have kids at home have used generative AI, compared to just 9% of people over 50 without kids at home.
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Just 31% of those who are 50-plus are excited about generative AI.
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Among people over 50, beliefs are mixed about the kind of impact that generative AI is likely to have on their lives: 11% believe it will make things more safe; 29% percent think it will make things less safe; and 60% are undecided.
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The prevalence of cybercrime impacts attitudes toward generative AI and technology in general, with 76% of people over 50 believing that they have been the target of a scam leveraging technology such as emails or texts. Additionally, 19% have become victims of a scam using technology, and 43% know someone else who has been victimized by a scam using technology.
You can find more details and insights in the full report.
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