Risks, Costs, Inhibition: What Makes Seniors Wary Of AI

AI is impacting the lives of every age group differently. While youngsters and middle-aged people are using AI to enhance their knowledge, complete tasks faster, and find structured information, senior citizens are much less engaged. The crux lies in the absence of digital adoption among them.

According to a report titled, India’s Ageing Society: The Landscape Today released in March 2025 by Give Grants, a corporate social responsibility (CSR) tech platform, less than 20 per cent of the elderly in India are digitally literate, and 59 elderly lack access to digital devices.

Niti Aayog’s position paper, Reforms In India Senior Care: Reimagining the Senior Care Paradigm, released in 2024, also highlights the digital divide among the elderly. Citing the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) data, it says that only 13 per cent of people over 60 years of age have ever used the Internet.

Clearly, there’s a digital divide not just among the elderly, but also between generations, which can potentially lead to complicated relationships and even isolation for seniors. As the younger generation embraces technology and makes it an integral part of their lives, seniors who avoid it risk growing distant from the younger generation.

What’s Stopping Seniors?

There are various reasons why seniors are reluctant to adopt technology; some of these have deterred even those who started using technology in a small way.

Digital And AI Fraud: The biggest and a valid concern is safety and trustworthiness. Multiple media reports have highlighted cases where seniors have become victims of fraud, misuse, and scams they do not have any understanding of.

AI-based features, such as deepfakes only feed to their fears. “Data privacy risk and financial scams pose a challenge as seniors may not understand consent or security,” says Himanshu Rath, founder, Agewell Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation.

J.S. Chauhan, 70, a retired police inspector based in Ghaziabad, was able to spot a fraudulent arrest call because of his professional experience in the area. “Older adults are easy prey for fraudsters. The situation becomes worse if AI is used in such frauds, such as a fake video message or a voice message to trap them, especially when they are living alone and have no one to seek guidance from.”

Fast-Paced Technological Changes: For seniors, adopting new technologies can be daunting. One, because they didn’t grow up using it, and are unable to keep pace with technological changes, which have become fast paced, especially with the advent of AI.

Says Chauhan: “I had no exposure to digital technology while growing up. So, I do not feel confident in using it in my old age now.”

The inability to keep up with changes also fosters fear or lack of confidence among the elderly in using digital devices and tools.

Limited Access And Awareness: Niti Aayog attributes the digital divide to the limited access to digital devices among the elderly, lack of digital literacy, and limited awareness of online services.

Says Rath: “Most seniors miss out on the benefits of AI due to low literacy and rural connectivity issues. Besides, limited smartphone penetration (only around 25 per cent of seniors own smartphones) and complex interfaces widen the digital divide, isolating them from essential services.”

However, in many cases, where seniors have digital access, it is the lack of intention to learn that leads to low digital literacy, a lack of confidence in using digital tools, and a sense of fear. Chauhan says, “This is the modern era. This is the era of AI. The more expertise we attain in this domain, the better it will be, even though older individuals like me don’t feel the need to learn.”

The Cost: Another issue is the cost involved in the use of digital technology. For instance, AI gadgets may be useful for healthcare needs, both physical and mental, but they may not always be affordable for the average elderly Indian citizen. For instance, the life of digital devices is not more than 3-4 years on average, which makes it a recurring cost.

Further, the recurring subscription costs of app-based services may also hinder adoption among older adults who may have limited regular income. Says Rath: “Devices such as smartphones costing a minimum of `5,000 and data plans are unaffordable for many, especially those on fixed pensions. AI is currently widening the digital divide due to low literacy, cost barriers, and rural connectivity issues.”

Can AI Help Seniors?

But can AI help fill this digital divide between seniors and the rest of the population? Yes it can, provided seniors are willing to use it.

For those willing to take the plunge, AI can help in imparting digital literacy, enhancing awareness about online tools and services, and providing easy and structured information, thereby improving confidence among older adults.

“AI chatbots for banking can simplify transactions for tech-savvy seniors,” says Rath. AI can also benefit seniors in healthcare and financial inclusion. Says Rath: “AI tools like health monitoring apps for diabetes management and telemedicine platforms can improve care access, especially in urban areas. Voice-activated AI in regional languages can help them with reminders for medications, while AI-powered wearables, such as fall detectors, could enhance safety for seniors living alone.”

AI can also help seniors tackle loneliness and social isolation through conversations and assistance.

However, some versions of AI assistance may not be suitable to Indians. Arjun Ghosh, professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at IIT Delhi, says it’s possible theoretically, but there are caveats. “Support systems of this kind are never culturally neutral. You can’t just buy a robot from some US company and place it in an Indian home and expect it to provide the necessary support system for Indian people. It’s not a substitute for a family member,” he says.

But AI plays a role in the lives of even those who do not use it directly due to their limited access to digital devices or otherwise.

For example, AI is working to the advantage of seniors in the healthcare segment. Says Ghosh: “The key benefit for seniors is in the medical space. Now, various kinds of medical research use AI-based diagnostics, drug discovery, etc., which indirectly benefit the elderly.”

A little help from caregivers, relatives or friends can also help those who have access to digital devices, but do not actively use it.

As an example, Ghosh counts the benefits of text-to-speech and speech-to-text for the elderly. He says: “With voice-based interaction, seniors who cannot use a website or mobile app interface can simply give a command or get their message typed. As you go forward, AI will enable greater digital inclusivity. So the interface would become much more voice-enabled, and that would be the way the elderly will be able to access digital services.”

According to Ghosh, an AI-enabled voice-based instruction system for devices in various languages and a simple user interface can enhance digital penetration among the elderly and help in reducing the digital divide.

The Way Forward

With targeted intervention, AI could become an enabler for seniors, says Rath. He suggests that the government can offer subsidised devices, improve rural broadband, and expand digital literacy programmes, whereas companies can develop affordable, senior-friendly AI tools, and communities can involve local tech hubs and younger members of the family to teach the elderly.

The government can also put in place legal regulations to keep users protected from privacy concerns on using AI-based platforms.

With the possibilities of what AI might offer, such as virtual assistants to defeat loneliness, AI-enabled apps to remind about medicines or a doctor’s appointment, or to simply get validation or general advice, in the long run, AI may encourage older adults to use digital technology and, thereby, narrow the digital divide. However, risks remain.

Benefits For Savvy Seniors

It can help impart digital literacy, enhance awareness by providing easy and structured information.

It can help educate them about online tools and services, such as online banking transactions.

AI tools like health monitoring apps for diabetes management and telemedicine platforms can improve care access.

Voice-activated AI can help with reminders for medications and other assistance.

AI-powered wearables, such as fall detectors, could enhance safety for seniors living alone

AI can help seniors deal with loneliness and social isolation through conversations.

versha@outlookindia.com