OpenAI is partnering with AARP and its Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) group to give seniors the tools they need to stay safe online. The multi-year effort focuses on helping older Americans use artificial intelligence with confidence, beginning with a new OpenAI Academy video that shows how ChatGPT can be used to identify suspicious messages and avoid scams.
The training video highlights common warning signs such as pushy language, secrecy, or unusual links. It encourages older adults to slow down, think carefully, and ask ChatGPT for a quick check before taking action. The message is simple: AI can serve as a helpful second opinion, but it should always be paired with common sense practices like avoiding strange links or keeping personal information private.
This initiative builds on the organizations’ earlier work together. In 2024, OpenAI joined forces with Microsoft to fund OATS with a $2 million Societal Resilience Fund that helped strengthen the Senior Planet program and other digital literacy projects. According to an AARP survey, AI use among older adults has already doubled, with nearly a third saying they are eager to explore its potential.
The next stage of the partnership will expand AI education nationwide. Senior Planet classes are being updated for both in-person and online learning, and local partners will receive support to bring AI literacy programs into more communities. A revised “AI for Older Adults Guide,” a new course on protecting privacy and data, and training sessions for AARP state offices are also planned. On top of that, the groups will conduct an annual survey to track how older adults are adopting AI.
This effort also marks the first anniversary of the OpenAI Academy, a free learning hub that has already reached more than 2 million people. By working with OATS, OpenAI is sending the message that AI education should be available to everyone, no matter their age. From college students preparing for careers to retirees experimenting with new tools, access to practical AI skills is becoming a necessity.
As scams grow more sophisticated, giving older adults the knowledge to spot trouble before it happens is critical. This partnership could make the online world a little safer by blending AI assistance with everyday caution.
