AI confidence gap risks shutting older workers out of jobs, says Strive Training

Older workers risk being excluded from the workplace as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more widespread, with a lack of confidence rather than a lack of skills emerging as the main barrier, according to Strive Training.

Ipsos research on global attitudes towards AI found that workers under the age of 35 are more than three times as likely as those aged 50 to 74 to say AI has saved them time at work over the past year, at 40% compared with 13%.

The findings also suggest younger workers are more optimistic about AI’s impact on areas including health, the economy and employment, while concern about the technology has increased since 2021.

Jonny Phillips, managing director at Strive Training, said: “Not only do Gen Xers and Baby Boomers have the capability to leverage AI to their advantage at work, but they also have their own unique experience and set of skills that many organisations desperately need.

“The older generations have the advantage of being able to utilise their expertise and contextual knowledge of the workplace, and they also bring a wealth of experience that can mean they have better judgement in uncertainty, a stronger will to question AI, better stakeholder management and a greater understanding of how to collect and utilise new information.”

Phillips argued that organisations should focus on supporting workers to build confidence with AI tools rather than assuming older employees are resistant to the technology.

He added: “A common assumption is that older adults reject AI but in actual fact many older people aren’t regularly using AI primarily because they are unfamiliar with it, rather than because they distrust it.

“Like anyone getting to grips with new technology, employers need to support people with patience, training and taking steps to boost confidence in using AI.”