Helping older adults use AI in everyday life
2026-09-16 · OpenAI
OpenAI and AARP have announced a new collaborative initiative designed to help older adults integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into their everyday lives. The two organizations are teaming up to host a series of free, hands-on ChatGPT workshops. These workshops are scheduled to take place across 10 cities in the United States, with the goal of reaching 1,000 older adults. The primary objective of this program is to help this demographic safely build practical AI skills.
The Collaboration and Its Vision
This initiative is a joint effort between OpenAI, a leading artificial intelligence research and deployment company, and AARP, an organization dedicated to empowering older adults. As AI technology becomes increasingly prevalent, older generations often face unique challenges in adopting new digital tools. The vision behind this collaboration is to bridge this digital divide by providing direct, accessible education. By combining OpenAI's technological expertise with AARP's deep connection to the older adult community, the program aims to create a welcoming and supportive environment for seniors to learn about AI.
Key Features of the Workshops
The planned workshops are characterized by several core elements designed to maximize accessibility and impact:
- Free of Charge: To ensure that financial barriers do not prevent participation, the ChatGPT workshops will be offered entirely for free to the attendees.
- Hands-On Learning: Rather than relying solely on theoretical lectures or presentations, the workshops will emphasize practical, hands-on experience. Participants will have the opportunity to directly interact with and operate ChatGPT in a guided setting.
- Focus on ChatGPT: The curriculum will center specifically on ChatGPT, the conversational AI model developed by OpenAI, teaching older adults how to effectively communicate with and utilize this specific tool.
Scale and Reach
The initiative is designed to have a tangible, measurable impact by rolling out across 10 distinct U.S. cities. This geographic spread ensures that the program is not limited to a single tech hub but reaches a diverse group of older adults. In total, the workshops aim to accommodate 1,000 older adults, providing a significant sample size for promoting digital literacy among seniors.
Balancing Practical Skills and Safety
A critical aspect of the workshop curriculum is the dual emphasis on practicality and safety:
- Practical AI Skills: The training will focus on real-world, everyday applications of ChatGPT. The goal is to teach older adults how to use the AI tool to assist with daily tasks, thereby enhancing their independence and quality of life.
- Safe Usage: Recognizing that new technologies can pose risks, the program places a strong emphasis on safety. Participants will be instructed on how to use AI responsibly, which includes understanding the limitations of AI, protecting personal privacy, and navigating the digital landscape securely.
Conclusion
The partnership between OpenAI and AARP represents a meaningful step toward making AI accessible to older demographics. By delivering free, interactive ChatGPT workshops to 1,000 older adults across 10 U.S. cities, the initiative not only equips seniors with practical AI skills but also ensures they are prepared to use these emerging technologies safely in their everyday lives.