Roughly 9 in 10 Korean seniors want to learn how to use AI

A recent survey of Korean seniors aged 60 to 74 has revealed that approximately 94.7% of respondents expressed a strong desire to learn how to use AI technology. Ahn Jeong-ok, a 61-year-old businesswoman, is an example of a senior who has embraced AI, using it to look up information about travel destinations, restaurants, and even drafting formal documents.

The survey, conducted by Hankyoreh in collaboration with polling firm Opinions, found that 40.5% of respondents anticipated significant benefits from AI in daily life, while only 10.8% expressed serious concerns. Despite these positive feelings, 34.4% of those surveyed were eager to learn how to use AI, with an additional 60.3% open to learning.

The primary reasons for optimism about AI's impact include making everyday life more convenient, improving health and safety, and alleviating loneliness. However, concerns about AI's potential drawbacks, such as difficulty in learning its use and fears of reducing human employment, were also voiced by a significant portion of respondents.

You Jae-youn, head of social affairs at the Presidential Council on National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, emphasized that AI should be seamlessly integrated into seniors' daily lives, enhancing their access to public services and managing their health.