Today OpenAI announces a partnership with AARP and its Older Adults Technology Services unit to teach older adults to use artificial intelligence with confidence and safety. The initiative starts as a multi-year effort that includes training, privacy resources, and practical materials to spot scams. (openai.com)
What exactly was announced
The announcement was published on September 26, 2025 and describes a broad collaboration: expanded in-person and online training, digital safety materials, and a series of annual research studies and surveys to measure how older adults adopt AI. (openai.com)
Sound technical or distant to you? It isn't. The goal is to put tools and knowledge within reach of people who have often been left out of earlier tech waves.
What's included in the program and why it matters
-
Expanded training for Senior Planet, with both in-person and online courses. These classes aim to teach everything from the basics to practical ways to use
ChatGPTas support. (openai.com) -
Security and privacy resources, like an updated 'AI for older adults' guide and a specific course on data protection. These short modules are designed so you don't have to depend only on technology and so you learn when to be cautious. (openai.com)
-
National research and surveys to understand real trends and needs among older adults. With data, programs are designed from evidence, not assumptions. (openai.com)
Also, OpenAI supported the Societal Resilience Fund in 2024 with $2 million alongside Microsoft to strengthen programs like Senior Planet and other local partners. That track record shows this is more than a press release—it's a continuation of backing. (openai.com)
A practical example: spotting scams with ChatGPT
Have you ever received a message asking you to do something urgently and felt unsure? The materials include a short video on OpenAI Academy that shows red flags like urgent language, requests for secrecy, or suspicious links, and how to use ChatGPT as a "second opinion" to analyze messages. Remember: pause, think, and ask questions. ChatGPT can help point out risks, but it doesn't replace your judgment or basic steps like avoiding clicking links or sharing personal information. (openai.com)
You can explore the OpenAI Academy resources and practice videos. OpenAI Academy and the AARP website are good starting points.
What can older adults and their families do today?
-
Practice with real examples: copy the suspicious text and ask
ChatGPTif there are signs of fraud. -
Keep accounts updated and use strong passwords or a password manager.
-
Teach to be wary of urgency and secrecy. If someone asks for personal information by message, verify through another channel.
-
Look for local Senior Planet courses or request subgrants and workshops in your community to practice in groups.
Why this is relevant to everyone
AI literacy is no longer a luxury for specialists. OpenAI points out that access to education about these tools is key so benefits reach more people, including those who tend to be left behind by tech changes. Making learning practical and community-based helps technology be both useful and safe. (openai.com)
The invitation is simple: if you know an older person who's curious or concerned about AI, go with them to try the resources and turn caution into useful knowledge. Technology gets friendlier when we learn it together.
