In today’s world, technology plays a central role in daily life, transforming how we live, communicate and care for one another.
The academic debate on AI-driven solutions for elderly care and the rapid global ageing population, highlights their potential to enhance independence, social interaction and overall quality of life for older adults. AI appears to be a promising solution for making people’s daily lives easier, but it also raises critical and ethical questions about its use and the appropriateness of allowing AI to replace human intelligence.
The concept of ‘successful ageing’, introduced by Rowe and Kahn[1], highlights three essential elements: maintaining good health, preserving cognitive abilities, and remaining socially integrated. Active ageing is defined by the World Health Organization as “the process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation, and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age”[2]. Ageing is not simply a stage that begins at retirement, but it is a lifelong process, shaped by the choices we make throughout our lives, our lifestyle and social engagement. The ability to continue to maintain social connections, participate in social activities, and engage in physical activities has an impact on ageing.
However, there is a significant gap between the potential benefits of technologies such as AI and the barriers older adults face in adopting them. Addressing this gap requires improving technology literacy among older adults, particularly through co-design approaches that involve older adults in the design process, allowing technologies to better meet their needs, reduce barriers from the outset and enable older adults to enjoy its benefits. However, the use of technologies, according to the definition of successful ageing, must not therefore hinder the preservation of cognitive abilities.
Many older adults face barriers such as lack of training, fear of technology, or limited motivation to use digital tools. Bridging this digital divide requires targeted training, simplified technologies, and greater awareness of tools specifically designed for older users. Active ageing is not only about health, but it is also a social and policy challenge[3]. The potential of public policies - in terms of their capacity and success in addressing the challenges associated with ageing well - also determines a society’s ability to adopt measures that are inclusive and conducive to active ageing. By supporting older adults to remain active, independent, and socially engaged, societies can improve well-being while also strengthening intergenerational solidarity[4]. Active ageing depends on both individual behaviours and broader social conditions.
On the positive side, several internal factors can support successful ageing, including healthy lifestyles such as avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption, maintaining good nutrition, engaging in regular physical activity, and taking care of one’s health. Social activities, particularly group physical activities, also play an important role by combining physical exercise with social interaction. However, ageing also presents internal challenges, including health problems related to age, inactivity, loss of physical autonomy, and living environments that may not be adapted to older adults’ needs.
In 2019, ‘Coopera’, a Spanish NGO, began a project on active ageing, called ‘Actívate’, in La Rioja. Between 2019 and 2022, five editions of Actívate were held in La Rioja and Navarra (Spain), engaging over 300 participants, mostly people aged 65 and above[5]. The initiative was motivated by the increasing proportion of people over 64 years old in the region and the recognition that longer life expectancy does not always correspond to more years in good health.
The data collection during a my study in 2021 involved a focus group and a questionnaire, allowing a detailed analysis of older adults’ interactions with digital technologies. The focus group revealed that while most participants had computers and internet access at home, they often required guidance to use digital tools like smartphones, tablets, and computers effectively. Family members, such as children or grandchildren, played an important role in this learning process. Participants reported that the internet had made it easier to find information, discover recipes, socialise and take part in voluntary activities, particularly during the COVID-19 lockdown, thereby helping to alleviate loneliness. However, they also noted that digital interactions cannot fully replace face-to-face contact and that excessive reliance on technology can create dependency.
The results highlighted important distinctions among older adults. Those with prior exposure to technology were more comfortable adopting new tools, while fear and lack of training remained significant barriers. The role of technology in health management was also emphasised, enabling older adults to schedule medical appointments and manage chronic conditions independently, which enhances autonomy and well-being. Policies and public support are needed to facilitate access to technology, considering both economic barriers and individual preferences.
In Uruguay, under President Tabaré Vázquez, the Ibirapitá Programme[6] was launched to reduce digital exclusion among retirees over 65. The Ibirapitá programme was a Uruguayan government initiative focused on the inclusion and digital literacy of older adults, by distributing free tablets to low-income retirees. The government also provided free internet installation and monthly service for participants who needed it. While the programme was part of a techno-optimistic discourse on digital inclusion, many older adults actively questioned the role of technology in their lives, meaning that digital inclusion has different meanings depending on individual circumstances[7]. The Ibirapitá plan has helped to reduce the digital divide among low-income older adults by providing them with tablets, but meaningful use of technology depends heavily on sociocultural factors.
It is clear that to achieve digital inclusion, policies must promote digital literacy, intergenerational learning, and recognise older adults as active agents with rights, capable of developing advanced digital skills through their life experience. The study in Spain and the programme in Uruguay showed that access to and proper use of technology can significantly enhance active ageing, promoting independence, social participation, and engagement in daily life. Devices need to be adapted to the users’ needs to ensure accessibility, and training programs are essential for enabling meaningful use of digital tools. Moving forward, it is important to ensure that the needs of older adults are prioritised in technological innovations, fostering a society where longer life is paired with better quality of life. Active ageing should not be merely about living longer but living better.
Abouth the Author
Junior Mbangala is a DPhil Candidate in Sustainable Urban Development at Kellogg College, University of Oxford.
[1] Rowe, J. W., & Kahn, R. L. (1997). Successful Aging. The Gerontologist, 433–440.
[2] World Health Organization. (2002). Active Ageing A Policy Framework.
[3] Rubeis, G., Fang, M. L., & Sixsmith, A. (2022). Equity in AgeTech for Ageing Well in Technology-Driven Places: The Role of Social Determinants in Designing AI-based Assistive Technologies. Science and Engineering Ethics.
[4] Steckdaub-Muller, I., Pfaller, L., Schweda, M., & Ellerich-Groppe, N. (2026). Age stereotypes in appeals for intergenerational solidarity: disentangling the paradox. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications.
[5] COOPERA. (2026). Cooperación al desarrollo. From Activate en cifras: https://cooperaongd.eu/que-hacemos/envejecimiento-activo/envejecimiento-activo-articulos/activate-en-cifras
[6] IBIRAPITA. (2026). Programa Ibirapita. From Programa Ibirapita Lanza una nueva aplicación y suma beneficiarios: https://ibirapita.org.uy
[7] Castleton, A. (2022). Older Adults, Tablets, and Ambivalence: A Grounded Theory Study of a One-Tablet-Per Older Person, Public Program in Uruguay. Journal of Aging & Social Policy, 325-346.
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