48% of seniors use AI, 80% fear fake content

Recent research by SeniorWeb reveals that 48 percent of seniors utilize AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini. This marks significant engagement from those aged 65 and older with modern technology, yet there remains a significant concern. No less than 80 percent of respondents indicate they cannot distinguish between what is real and what is generated by AI. This percentage has risen from 75 percent in 2024, a development that can partly be attributed to the rise of AI-driven crime.

The survey, conducted between March and August 2026 among 756 members of SeniorWeb, further reveals that two-thirds of older respondents are curious about the impact of AI on society. About 30 percent are convinced that AI can facilitate daily life, especially with tasks such as information retrieval and answering practical questions. At the same time, 62 percent of seniors express concerns about the use of AI, while 55 percent fear that AI will decrease social interactivity.

For specific topics such as personal, medical, and privacy issues, most seniors prefer conversations with people over interactions with chatbots. Trust in AI remains minimal, especially given the increased concern over the authenticity of AI-generated content. SeniorWeb director René Kuster points out that the growing reality of fake emails and scams by criminals further undermines trust in such technology.

Nevertheless, there are initiatives like Google’s SynthID, which helps seniors identify AI-produced images and texts. The research also indicates that a large number of seniors – 64 percent – do not know how to safely interact with AI. This has led to a growing interest in educational webinars that help seniors learn more about safe AI usage. The results underline that seniors are not rejecting technology but are actively seeking guidance for wiser use of AI.

Read the full article from AI Insider.