Over half have used AI technologies for a variety of purposes; 14% have used AI to get health information

The artificial intelligence revolution hasn’t passed older adults by, a new poll suggests. But the data show that people over 50 have both curiosity and skepticism about AI, depending on how much they’ve used it, the data show.  

No matter what their level of experience with AI, nearly all people over 50 (92%) say they want to know when the information they read, see or hear is AI-generated, according to the new findings from the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging. 

In all, just over half (55%) of people age 50 and older have ever used an AI technology that they spoke or typed messages to for a variety of purposes on a variety of devices.  

Of those who used voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Apple’s Siri, or Google Nest in the past year, 80% said these devices are beneficial for helping them live independently and safely in their home, including 28% who said they’re very beneficial for this purpose.  

In addition, 35% have used AI-enhanced home security devices; nearly all who had done so said they found them beneficial for helping them live independently and safely in their home. 

Overall, 14% of older adults polled said they have used AI technologies to receive health-related information. Among those who had, nearly half (47%) said a human interaction in person or by phone would be better for that purpose, with 26% saying AI and human interaction are about the same.  

The poll is based at the U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, and supported by Michigan Medicine, U-M’s academic medical center.  

The poll team also analyzed data from adults age 50 and older in Michigan, with support from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund; those findings are at https://michmed.org/KDBJR and an interactive data dashboard is at michmed.org/GQkmw. 

“AI is here to stay. Many older adults seem to know about its benefits, yet most  want more information about potential risks when using AI technologies,” said Robin Brewer, Ph.D., M.S., an assistant professor in the U-M School of Information and a health AI researcher who worked with the poll team on the report. “The near-universal interest in clear labeling of AI-generated information should also be heeded by policymakers and the AI industry.”