The national Age-Friendly AI initiative led by TU Dublin and the Research Ireland ADAPT Centre, which is dedicated to making Artificial Intelligence (AI) accessible and relevant for older adults across Ireland, successfully concluded its first year with an interactive discussion workshop in Dublin.
The event, which took place at the Wood Quay Venue in Dublin 8 on Wednesday, December 3rd, focused on people’s hopes and concerns about AI and explored ideas on developing AI training tailored for older adults. Participants at the workshop had an opportunity to try out engaging, interactive AI demonstrations, including: ‘Spirit of Radio’ AI-powered vintage radio and the ADAPT Centre’s pop-up “Art or AI?” exhibition where attendees were challenged to tell if an artwork was created by a human artist or generated by AI.
Participants generally see the benefits of the technology, particularly in healthcare and the potential for AI-powered assistive technologies that can help people live independently for longer. However, attendees have also voiced genuine concerns including the security risks and data privacy, as well as the risk of AI being used to spread misinformation.
This discussion event marked the end of a year of dialogue focused on AI in the lives of older people. A key part of this dialogue phase of the project has been hearing directly from older adults about how AI is impacting their day-to-day lives.
The ‘Age-Friendly AI’ initiative is now entering its second year. The project team will partner with Age-Friendly Ireland, Libraries Ireland and other age-focused organisations to take the insights gathered from these discussions and develop a tailored, accessible AI literacy programme specifically designed with and for older adults. The programme will feature training materials, presentations, videos from prominent Irish AI experts, and hands-on, interactive AI demonstrations and is scheduled to roll out across public libraries and community hubs nationwide in 2026.
The insights will also inform an Expert Report and feed into the broader ADAPT #DiscussAI campaign highlighting older people’s views on the role of AI in their lives and offering recommendations to address the opportunities, threats and ideas shared by the participants.
Paula Kelly, Project Lead for Age-Friendly AI, commented: “The enthusiasm and engagement from older adults at our Age-Friendly AI regional discussion events throughout the year demonstrates why the voices of older adults must be included in a national conversation around AI and its societal impact. Their lived experiences provide an essential compass for how AI-driven technologies, products and services should be developed and regulated for the public good”.
