Older Americans Embrace AI as 50-Plus Smartphone Ownership Hits 90%
Updated
Updated · Business Insider · Jun 14
Older Americans Embrace AI as 50-Plus Smartphone Ownership Hits 90%
3 articles · Updated · Business Insider · Jun 14
Summary
30% of Americans 50 and older used AI in 2025, up from 18% in 2024, as retirees increasingly turn to chatbots, apps and robots for daily routines, health management and post-career projects.
AARP data show the shift is broader than AI alone: smartphone ownership among adults 50-plus climbed to 90% in 2025 from 55% in 2016, while adults 65 and over nearly doubled YouTube TV viewing from 2023 to 2025.
Retirees interviewed said the tools help them manage illness, stay connected, teach peers and even build businesses, while some older workers are learning AI and other tech because they cannot afford to fully retire.
The boom also carries trade-offs, with users citing screen addiction, weaker face-to-face interaction, faulty AI answers and concerns that heavy reliance could reduce cognitive engagement and physical activity.
Age-tech investment is accelerating around that demand, and AARP projects the market for tools such as companion robots, sensors and smart-home care devices will reach $120 billion by 2030.
With the age-tech market soaring, how can we ensure AI empowers seniors instead of exploiting their health and safety fears?
As AI automates senior living, what is the true cost to their cognitive health and long-term independence?
AgeTech in Action: The Rapid Rise of Digital and AI Engagement Among Americans 50+ (2024-2025)
Overview
Between 2024 and 2025, digital engagement among Americans aged 50 and older has accelerated, with strong and growing interest in technology. While many older adults feel technology is not designed for them, confidence in digital skills is high, and there is a strong desire for continued learning, social connection, and community contribution. Most prefer to try established products, showing a cautious but capable approach. This active lifestyle and willingness to learn drive technology adoption, even as older adults seek more age-friendly design and support. These trends highlight both the progress and ongoing needs in digital inclusion for older Americans.