Exacerbated Ageism in the Digital Age
Ageism manifests in many ways in the digital realm. It is increasingly evident that biases against older adults in the design and use of technology continue to deepen the digital divide.
Widespread assumptions that older people are inherently incapable of adapting to new technologies significantly influence how these tools are developed. Too often, interfaces and applications are designed without considering the specific needs of an older audience. This leads to design choices that reduce accessibility, based on the mistaken belief that older individuals will never wish or be able to use them effectively. Such an approach reinforces the idea that innovation should cater exclusively to the younger generations, leaving out a substantial segment of the population.
The Digital Divide: A Matter of Fairness and Autonomy
Access to technology is not distributed evenly across generations, and within the senior population, there are considerable disparities ranging from highly connected individuals to those who remain more isolated. Many older people face technical, physical, or psychological barriers that hinder their use of digital tools. The complexity of devices, the lack of suitable support, and a general lack of confidence when using new technologies all contribute to widening this gap. In several contexts, it has been observed that older people remain on the margins, not due to a lack of interest, but because the digital environment is not always accessible to them. This exclusion has tangible consequences on their daily lives: difficulties accessing online public services, increased social isolation, and even a loss of independence. A lack of digital accessibility can also lead to greater reliance on social services, increased public health costs, and the loss of a potential market for businesses. In an age where digital tools are becoming essential, failing to address the needs of this demographic risks deepening already existing inequalities.
Sidelined Seniors in the Age of AI
While artificial intelligence is often seen as objective, in reality, it reproduces the biases present in the data on which it is trained. Among these, age-related biases are particularly striking. Generative algorithms, whether producing text or images, tend to depict older people through stereotypical lenses that represent only part of the picture.
Tests carried out with Grok3 clearly illustrate this trend. When asked to generate an image of a “senior person”, the AI produced an image of a very elderly Asian man in a pastoral setting, implicitly linking old age with retirement and peaceful contemplation.
By contrast, when prompted with “senior at work”, the AI generated an image of a white man wearing a shirt and glasses, sitting at a desk, embodying the conventional, rather uninspiring figure of a manager at the end of his career.
These results reveal a reductive view of seniors’ roles in society, confining them either to a life of retreat or to passive roles within the workplace. Far from being insignificant, these biases shape public perception of ageing and can have real-world implications, particularly in employment. If such stereotypes are embedded in recruitment tools or communication campaigns, they risk reinforcing existing discrimination and limiting job opportunities for older workers.
One striking example of such exclusion is the case of iTutorGroup, a company specialising in online English lessons. It was ordered to pay $365,000 for programming its recruitment software to automatically reject applications from women over 55 and men over 60. More than 200 qualified individuals were dismissed solely due to their age, without any assessment of their skills. This case, judged by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), illustrates the real-world consequences of ageist stereotypes built into digital systems: when designed without due care, these technologies can perpetuate and even amplify existing forms of discrimination, especially against older workers. Raising awareness and diversifying the data used to train these algorithms is therefore vital if AI is not to become yet another tool of exclusion.
Furthermore, older individuals are particularly vulnerable to online scams, including those involving deepfakes, partly due to a lower familiarity with algorithms and how they work. A lack of awareness around how digital content is created and manipulated leaves them more exposed to sophisticated fraud attempts such as doctored videos impersonating loved ones or authority figures. This vulnerability is highlighted by a study examining the algorithmic literacy of over-50s in Norway.
As it stands today, artificial intelligence acts as an amplifier of society’s age divide.
Level of awareness of algorithms by age. The study sample was drawn from the Norwegian population.
Rethinking Digital Inclusion for All
To reverse this trend, we must urgently rethink how we design technology and implement inclusive initiatives. Several businesses and institutions have already led the way by offering tailored training programmes and creating digital interfaces designed specifically for older users. The aim is to build tools that go beyond just managing health or dependency, and instead also support leisure, employment, communication, and autonomy. These approaches not only help close the digital divide but also challenge stereotypes by showing that seniors can be active, engaged users of technology.
Organisations also have a vital role to play in this shift. By including diverse teams in the design phase, taking feedback from older users into account, and valuing their skillsets, we can create a more equitable digital environment. This not only benefits seniors but also strengthens society as a whole by promoting collaborative innovation. Inclusive design is not just an ethical imperative, it is also a strategic advantage. Yet there is still work to be done: according to a study by Data for Good, tech employees report experiencing ageism as early as age 29!
Far from being a limitation, age can be a driving force for innovation and inclusion in the digital world. As AI and new technologies increasingly shape our daily lives, it is crucial to ensure that all generations are fully included in this evolution.
The notion that older workers are less comfortable with technology still lingers in the public imagination, but this perception is increasingly being challenged. A 2023 study by Generation shows that such stereotypes are misleading: 89% of recruiters surveyed said their experienced hires perform as well as, or even better than younger colleagues. This includes their ability to adapt to new tools, including AI. These findings underline the importance of not underestimating the adaptability of older workers, and they highlight how experience and strategic thinking can be major assets in an increasingly digital workplace. Overall, it is vital to dismantle the stereotype that older people are less competent in high-tech environments.
The work performance of mid-career employees is generally considered to be better than that of their younger colleagues.
Ensuring AI Works for Everyone: Age-Proofing as a Strategy
To ensure that AI benefits everyone and does not sideline older workers, we need an age-proofing approach. This means designing tools and practices that are inclusive and accessible across generations. Several measures are needed to achieve this. First, technologies must be made user-friendly, with input from workers of all ages during development. Second, algorithmic biases that disadvantage older individuals in recruitment or promotions must be monitored and corrected. Businesses can also offer more flexible working arrangements, such as remote work or adapted hours, to meet the needs of all age groups. Moreover, job roles can be reshaped to better reflect the experience and expertise of senior workers. Lastly, ongoing training is essential to empower older employees to use AI confidently. Taken together, these actions can ensure that AI serves everyone by embracing age diversity and promoting collaboration in the workplace.
Encouragingly, some initiatives are already in place to reduce age-related bias in employment, healthcare, and digital design. Companies like IBM and Orange, for instance, offer training programmes to help older employees keep up with technological changes and extend their careers. Tech giants such as Google and Apple are also integrating advanced accessibility features like improved voice recognition and simplified display settings to make technology more inclusive.
The Rise of the Senior Nomads
The growing phenomenon of senior nomads, older individuals embracing a mobile and connected lifestyle, shows how the relationship between age and technology is undergoing a profound transformation. Increasingly, seniors are using digital tools not just to keep in touch with loved ones, but also to work, travel, and pursue new ventures. Once seen as a lifestyle exclusive to young adventurers, digital nomadism is now becoming accessible to other generations. According to Statista, nearly 35% of digital nomads worldwide are aged between 40 and 59. This trend challenges traditional stereotypes, proving that at any age, it’s possible to lead an independent, digitally connected lifestyle.
"I've got a call-conf at 2pm... and then we're going surfing? Okay, I'll do a story!"
Several factors explain this shift: a greater desire for work-life balance, geographical flexibility, and a thirst for cultural discovery. More professionals in this age group are turning towards agile, independent work, often far from traditional office environments. Programmes offered by websites tailored to digital nomads, along with special visas in destinations like Aruba, help remove administrative barriers and support this lifestyle. Looking ahead, this group is likely to continue growing, bringing new opportunities for intergenerational collaboration and innovation, and enriching digital nomad culture.
In this way, seniors are becoming not only active consumers of technology but also influential drivers of digital change. This evolving dynamic reflects a broader paradigm shift: tomorrow’s ageing populations will also be those who have grown up with digital technologies, and who will demand inclusive tools that meet their expectations.
To be read also in the dossier « Ageism in the workplace »