More than half of Americans over 50 have used artificial intelligence technologies, from voice assistants to health apps, but they want transparency about when they’re interacting with AI rather than humans.
A new national poll reveals a generation cautiously navigating the AI revolution while demanding clearer information about potential risks.
The University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging surveyed 2,883 adults aged 50-97 and found that 55% have used AI technologies they can speak to or type messages to for various purposes. Yet nearly all respondents (92%) want to know when information they receive is AI-generated rather than human-created.
Smart Home Adoption Leads AI Usage
Among older adults who have embraced AI, smart home devices show the strongest adoption and satisfaction rates. Of those who used AI-powered voice assistants like Alexa or Siri in the past year, 80% found them beneficial for living independently and safely at home.
The results were even more striking for AI-powered home security systems. Among the 35% who used smart locks, cameras, and alarm systems, 96% reported these devices helped them age in place successfully.
Health Information Remains Contentious
While 14% of older adults have used AI for health information, opinions remain divided about its effectiveness. Among those who tried AI for health queries, 47% said human interaction would be better, while only 26% considered AI and human assistance roughly equivalent.
“This inability to tell verified information from false information, whether in the form of text, image, video or audio, is especially important when it comes to health information,” said poll director Jeffrey Kullgren, a primary care physician at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System.
Trust Issues and Detection Challenges
The poll revealed significant trust concerns among older adults:
- Only 4% have “a lot of trust” in AI-generated information
- 46% report having “very little to no trust” in AI content
- 50% lack confidence in their ability to spot incorrect AI-generated information
- Those with fair or poor health are more likely to distrust AI information
Interestingly, older adults who have actually used AI technologies show higher trust levels than non-users (70% versus 34%), suggesting experience may reduce anxiety about the technology.
Education Demands Outweigh Benefits
The survey uncovered a striking imbalance in what older adults want to learn about AI. While 58% expressed interest in learning about AI’s benefits, a much larger 81% wanted to understand the risks.
“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,” noted Robin Brewer, an assistant professor in the U-M School of Information who worked on the poll.
The findings suggest opportunities for community organizations, libraries, and healthcare providers to develop educational programs focused on “healthy” AI use—teaching older adults when to use AI versus search engines and how to verify AI-generated information.
As AI becomes more prevalent in society, the poll indicates that older adults are neither rejecting nor blindly accepting these technologies. Instead, they’re demanding the transparency and education needed to use AI safely and effectively.
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