Generative AI in aging societies: the risk of a double divide

Population ageing and the rapid diffusion of generative artificial intelligence are two defining transformations of the twenty-first century, yet they are rarely considered together. Generative artificial intelligence (generative AI) is moving from a technological novelty to an everyday infrastructure. It drafts emails, summarises documents, translates services, produces images, answers health questions and increasingly mediates first-line interactions with organisations. Public debate has focused heavily on sch…

By the Truvace deskOctober 16, 20262 min read1 sourcePeer-reviewedTRV-2026-1584· cite & verify

Generative AI in aging societies: the risk of a double divide — Chatbot lesend by Robert Wagner. CC BY 4.0 · https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

In brief

The article proposes a conceptual double-divide framework for generative AI in ageing societies. It argues that older adults may be disadvantaged both in how well they can engage with AI tools and in how AI-generated text, images and decisions portray ageing.

The framework matters because generative AI is becoming infrastructure for finding knowledge, assessing risks and reaching services, so unequal competence or biased portrayal could shape who benefits. The excerpt offers a framework, not measured outcomes, and is cut off before the evidence on representation is presented.

Main points

The framework distinguishes an AI Participation Divide from an AI Representation Divide, which are described as distinct but connected.
The participation divide covers unequal capacity to access, use, interpret and evaluate AI-generated information.
The authors say differences within later life reflect education, income, health, prior occupational exposure to technology, social support and digital learning opportunities.
Conversational interfaces may suit older adults with sensory limitations, low digital confidence or limited formal education.

The gain

Conversational generative AI may lower barriers for older adults by explaining letters, forms, medical information and translating or comparing options in their own words.

The rundown

The authors say population ageing and generative AI diffusion are rarely considered together, even though public debate has focused on schools, workplaces, productivity, misinformation and regulation. They define older adults as people aged 65 and over, in line with Switzerland's statutory retirement age.

They link the framework to existing research on multidimensional digital inequality (access, skills, use and outcomes) and on digital ageism. They state that neither mechanism has previously been specifically applied to generative AI, so the contribution lies in examining how the two operate together.

On potential benefits, the paper suggests AI tools could help explain medical information, support appointment preparation and simplify complex instructions. It adds that older adults often see potential benefits when technologies are useful, understandable, trustworthy and aligned with everyday life.