Jena senior citizens' network receives funding

Can artificial intelligence contribute to quality of life and if so, in what way? The "Federal Association of Senior Citizens' Organizations (BAGSO)" is investigating this question together with local partners as part of the project "Promoting the digital sovereignty of older people with AI technologies". The aim is to train older people in the use of AI technologies and to highlight both opportunities and risks. This enables older users to decide with confidence whether and how they want to use AI-based technologies in their everyday lives.

As a local partner, the Jena Seniors' Network has now been selected as one of 16 locations across Germany. AI-based technologies such as voice assistants, smart household appliances and other devices worth 5,000 euros each can now be purchased for the senior citizens' office in Goethestrasse. In addition, local multipliers will be trained on the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence and prepared to pass on their knowledge and application skills to older people. In the coming months, BAGSO will also be making materials on the topic available in a media library at wissensdurstig.de and publishing a brochure on artificial intelligence in the everyday lives of older people.

Older people are one of the social groups in Germany that have so far benefited little from the use of AI applications, even though such technologies can contribute to their quality of life. These can be voice assistants that simplify everyday life, household appliances that take over physically strenuous work or apps that help people with visual impairments to better perceive their surroundings. But AI can also be fun, for example with games or in dealing with AI robots.

The project is based at the BAGSO's "Digitalization and Education for Older People" service point. It is funded by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ) from the AI Future Fund. It runs until the end of 2021.