OpenAI announced a multi‑year collaboration with AARP and its OATS initiative (Older Adults Technology Services) to help older adults use artificial intelligence with more confidence, safety, and critical thinking. The initiative kicks off with a new educational video in the OpenAI Academy that shows how to use ChatGPT as a second opinion to spot scams and suspicious content. (openai.com)
What the partnership includes
The collaboration brings several practical fronts designed to reach local communities and people who aren't used to technology:
- Expanded AI training both online and in person, updating the Senior Planet curriculum. (openai.com)
- Digital safety and privacy programs, including a refreshed guide and specialized courses for AARP state offices. (openai.com)
- National annual research and surveys to better understand how older adults use AI. (openai.com)
Sounds like bureaucracy? Not at all — these are concrete resources: classes and materials that local organizations can replicate and adapt.
The context: why now
OpenAI notes that in 2024 it supported OATS with the Societal Resilience Fund through a $2 million commitment, backed by Microsoft, to strengthen programs like Senior Planet and the work of local partners. That practical support is the base for the current expansion. (openai.com)
Also, AARP and observations collected by OpenAI show AI use among older adults has grown noticeably, and a significant share want to learn more. Adoption plus curiosity makes AI education urgent. (openai.com)
How can ChatGPT help spot scams?
The core idea in the educational video is simple: give ChatGPT non‑sensitive information about a suspicious message to get a second opinion. For example:
- Paste the text of an email asking for personal information and ask: 'Does this message look like a scam?'
- Ask about red flags: urgent language, requests to transfer money, strange links, or instructions to keep it secret.
Important: ChatGPT can point out patterns and give clues, but it should not replace your own judgment or basic checks like verifying the sender, not clicking links, and calling the organization using an official number. The repeated message is: pause, think, and check. (openai.com)
Concrete example (how you'd explain it to a relative)
Imagine your dad gets an email saying his bank account will be closed unless he confirms his information. You ask ChatGPT: 'What warning signs does this email have?' The model can list indicators (urgency, spelling mistakes, mismatched links). Then you tell your dad: 'Don't click anything — call the bank directly using the number on their official website.' That simple, step‑by‑step flow is exactly what the partnership aims to replicate. (openai.com)
What communities and local organizations can expect
- Grants to local organizations to bring workshops to community centers and libraries. (openai.com)
- Accessible materials and courses that blend in‑person and digital learning, designed for different skill levels. (openai.com)
- Annual data to better understand gaps and opportunities in digital literacy among older adults. (openai.com)
Final thought
This isn't just about teaching a tool. It's about empowering people who have often been left out of tech waves so they can move confidently in a reality where AI is part of everyday life. The best part? These actions combine practical education, local resources, and a clear stance: AI should be accessible to all ages, not a privilege for a few. (openai.com)
If you want to watch the video and see the courses, they're available on the OpenAI Academy and in Senior Planet's resources for AARP. (academy.openai.com)
