Celebrity chef Dame Prue Leith is fronting a campaign to give over-65s confidence using technology safely, as 94% are concerned about scammers. Research by Currys found that more than two-thirds of over-65s don't feel confident using AI tools such as ChatGPT.
Financial impact of scams on older people
One in ten older people say they've lost money to a scam in the past five years, with those affected losing an average of £1,595 each. More than half say they receive suspected scam emails, texts or phone calls at least once a week.
Free AI confidence sessions in stores
Currys is working with charity Independent Age to launch free AI confidence sessions in stores. The first pilot session will be held at The Carers Centre Tower Hamlets, which Independent Age has grant funded.
After attending a pilot AI training session with Currys, Dame Prue said: "AI arrived without a manual, so I avoided it. I was worried I'd get confused or scammed. But once somebody explained it properly, it suddenly felt far less frightening and incredibly useful."
She added: "I've used it to help sharpen some of the pages in my new book by asking Claude if the way I've written a recipe makes sense to a non-baker. I'm glad to say it mostly agreed. I think many older people are curious about AI but need somebody to show them where to start without making them feel foolish."
Addressing the confidence gap
More than half of older people said they'd feel confident using AI if somebody explained it clearly and without jargon. Among older people already using AI, 61% say it's made their day-to-day lives easier – using it to plan holidays, give recipe inspiration, solve technology problems, write emails and learn new skills.
Catrin Hale, Social Impact and Digital Inclusion Lead from Currys, said: "There's a myth that older people don't want to engage with AI. The reality is many are scared of making mistakes or being targeted by scammers."
She continued: "The danger is that millions get left behind not because they can't use AI but because nobody has given them the confidence to try. We can't wait to welcome older people in-store to inspire the use of AI."
Partnership with Independent Age
Joanna Elson CBE, Chief Executive of Independent Age, said: "Many older people living on a low income are looking for practical ways to manage rising costs and make their money go further. While there's growing interest in how AI can help with everyday tasks such as planning meals, budgeting or identifying eligibility for financial entitlements, there are also understandable concerns about risks such as inaccurate information and scams."
She added: "We're pleased to be partnering on this campaign to help older people understand both the opportunities and the risks associated with AI. By providing practical advice and guidance, we hope to support more older people to use these tools with confidence and benefit from the ways they can help with everyday financial wellbeing and independent living."
Pilot sessions details
Following the campaign launch, Currys will pilot its free AI Confidence Sessions in selected stores across Birmingham, Staples Corner, Brent Cross, Solihull, and Uddingston, Scotland. The three-month pilot will run from July to September, with sessions taking place on July 28, August 25 and September 29, starting at 10am.
