Abstract
The world lives with a grey technology gap exacerbated by AI. The authors wish to heighten awareness about the elder citizen gap because more attention is needed toward effective trans-generational communication, workshops, tutorials, counseling/advising and continuing education sessions. Educators are trying to harness a moving technology comet, so to speak, in personal and professional lives, with efforts not to leave life-long-learners (casual and formal) behind. Possibly, we educators imagine breakthroughs using AI that lift our community microcosms and global macro-worlds. As agents of educational change, what more do we need to know in our fast-changing environment? This presentation sheds light on US national demographic and technology trends (US Census; Pew) related to elders. We point out practical challenges related to aging bias (using current grassroots, biographical, examples from the northeastern US region) and ideals for elder advising and small group care-shops/workshops. We also touch on human responsibility needs at the level of civics (laws, regulations); health organizations, and private industries (commercial marketers; information conglomerates, etc). The jubilee years are inevitable, and tech gaps can be managed but never eliminated. With many issues in consideration, like-minded, compassionate professionals can tackle challenges together. Let us heighten our respect, awareness, and future-sight while addressing the grey tech gap.
Presenters
Diana RiosFaculty Communication and EL Instituto: Latino-Latin American Caribbean Studies, University of Connecticut, Connecticut, United States Graciela Quinones Rodriguez
Psychiatric Social Worker, Student Health and Wellness - Mental Health, UCONN, Connecticut, United States Mary Helen Millham
Contributing Faculty, School of Communication, University of Hartford, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
KEYWORDS
ELDER TECH GAP; GREY GAP; GREY DIGITAL DIVIDE; COMMUNITY, SOCIETY
