Empowering seniors with AI tools through hands-on workshops

OpenAI Academy, in partnership with Older Adults Technology Services (OATS), is hosting the Older Adults AI Skills Jam, a free, in-person initiative aimed at helping 1,000 older adults across 10 U.S. cities use ChatGPT confidently and safely. The event is part of a multi-year effort to improve AI literacy and online safety for seniors, focusing on practical skills and scam prevention. Data shows that the share of messages from people aged 55+ using ChatGPT rose from 6% to nearly 10% in a year. The workshops teach older adults to spot scams by identifying urgent language, secrecy, and suspicious links, while also using ChatGPT as a tool for verification. OATS, a nonprofit under AARP, collaborates with local organizations to support these communities. OpenAI Academy emphasizes making AI education accessible, building on previous events with nonprofits, small businesses, and educators. The initiative aims to ensure older adults can benefit from AI technology safely and effectively.