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OpenAI and AARP Bring Free ChatGPT Workshops to Older Adults in 10 U.S. Cities

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What was announced?

OpenAI News shared a program for older adults. OpenAI Academy has partnered with Older Adults Technology Services (OATS), part of AARP, to launch the Older Adults AI Skills Jam, a free, in-person workshop designed to help older adults use ChatGPT confidently and safely.

The Jam is part of a multi-year effort OpenAI has been running with OATS, delivered through OATS's flagship program, Senior Planet.

Why it matters

ChatGPT use among older adults is already climbing. According to OpenAI's data, the share of messages in the U.S. associated with people 55 and older grew from 6% to nearly 10% in just a year. Older adults are turning to it for things like planning trips, making sense of confusing letters or bills, picking up new hobbies, and staying connected with family, everyday tasks where a little help goes a long way.

But with that growing use comes real anxiety about safety, which is exactly why pairing practical skills with safety education matters.

What changes

The workshop covers the basics of using ChatGPT, and puts real weight on spotting online scams. It walks through common warning signs, urgent language, secrecy, suspicious links, and teaches a simple rule: pause, think, and ask. OpenAI says people already ask ChatGPT to help evaluate suspicious messages, emails, and websites tens of millions of times a week. This program hands older adults that same skill directly.

Dive Deep

The Jam runs in 10 communities across the country, each in partnership with a local organization:

  • Senior Planet in Denver, Colorado
  • Senior Planet in Miami, Florida
  • Senior Planet in San Antonio, Texas
  • Senior Planet in Montgomery County, Maryland
  • Senior Planet in Queens, New York
  • The Mirowitz Center in St. Louis, Missouri
  • Senior Community Services in Twin Cities, Minnesota
  • Nashville Public Library and FiftyForward in Nashville, Tennessee
  • Fresno EOC in Fresno, California
  • LEARN Idaho in Boise, Idaho

This follows earlier hands-on events OpenAI Academy has hosted for nonprofits, small businesses, and K-12 educators. Feedback from participants will help shape future learning resources for older adults.

Wrap-up

  • OpenAI Academy and AARP's OATS are running a free workshop, the Older Adults AI Skills Jam, to help older adults use ChatGPT safely.
  • It takes place in 10 U.S. cities, in partnership with local organizations like Senior Planet.
  • Beyond the basics, it teaches a pause-think-ask approach to spotting scams.
  • ChatGPT use among people 55+ in the U.S. has grown from 6% to nearly 10% of messages in a year.
  • Worth knowing about if you want to help an older family member get comfortable and safe with AI.

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