Conversational and generative AI

As interviews begin, ideas for the future of AI and older adults are emerging.  For the updated report, The Future of AI and Older Adults 2030, suggestions for the future are key to the conversation. As interviews are scheduled and completed, recommendations emerge. These ideas are sensibly building on what would be useful for older adults, coupled with what has already been delivered in the marketplace. For each of these ideas, the report will also consider the barriers that may hobble full adoption, including lack of awareness, training (both for the consumer side and professional), and acceptable cost.  But for now, imagine that by 2030:

It’s a pretty good tech universe if you know what you’re doing...  Maybe you’re someone who reads all the new tech announcements, knows that your phone is aging, understands what features you need and goes forth and buys the new gadget of the day.  However, survey after survey show that while adoption is growing, more than half (59%) of older adults think technology is not designed with their age in mind. two-thirds (64 percent) of older adults believe they have the digital skills necessary to fully take advantage of being online.

The University of Michigan polled older adult responders – and the results are in. In a recent survey of more than 1000 adults aged 50+, the University of Michigan poll, fielded inside Michigan and nationwide, demonstrates that Artificial Intelligence technology is useful to older adults – and that they are not intimidated by it.  As with other studies, those with less education had somewhat less trust in AI-enabled information, and those with health disabilities also were somewhat less trusting of the information they found. (Source: July, 2025 University of Michigan AI Poll).

Kudos to the Forbes Technology Council!  Their post, 20 Untapped Tech Opportunities to Serve Older Adults was a great addition to the write-ups about tech for older adults.  Hopefully it was seen by entrepreneurs considering market entry with a new invention, including the innovators/investors at the What’s Next Longevity Venture Summit in Berkeley, underway today. And the reverse is also true – the Forbes folks should look around and see what’s already announced or in-market.  Here are their suggestions that caught my eye -- for startups, investors, and just plain reverse mentors:

Future staffing demand will force industry to rethink care strategies. According to BLS, the industry will need 4.5 million care workers by 2029 to meet the demands of older adults. According to an Argentum staffing report, in 2025 alone another 347,000 caregivers are needed for memory care. The home care and senior living industries draw from the same population of prospective workers. Home care and home health care demand will drive 21% job growth by 2033, but 59% of agencies will experience shortages. What else will help address care needs?