Type of Presentation
Poster Session
Location
University Library
Start Date
4-10-2026 11:30 AM
End Date
4-10-2026 12:45 PM
Abstract
Artificial intelligence has accelerated faster than society's ability to adapt, leaving older adults extremely vulnerable to AI-generated fraud. Americans over age 60 lost $4.9 billion to scams in 2024, 43% more than the previous year. In this research, I investigate how digital illiteracy, combined with AI-generated deepfakes, creates this crisis. Older adults struggle with three principal vulnerabilities: distinguishing legitimate sites from scams, judging whether online information is truthful, and understanding how algorithms use their data. AI weaponizes these gaps through voice clones, synthetic video calls, and personalized phishing emails that avoid the trust cues seniors tend to rely on. I propose evidence-based solutions, including reverse mentoring, pre-bunking training to build resistance to manipulation, and confidence-building for older adults in using newer technologies. Without urgent intervention, not only will an entire generation face financial devastation and loss of independence, but the next generation of older adults will also be vulnerable to the even newer technologies to come.
Faculty / Staff Sponsor
Dr. Christopher White
Presentation File
wf_yes
Included in
Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Commons, Finance and Financial Management Commons, Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons
Older Adults and Emerging Technology Fraud in the AI Deepfake Era
University Library
Artificial intelligence has accelerated faster than society's ability to adapt, leaving older adults extremely vulnerable to AI-generated fraud. Americans over age 60 lost $4.9 billion to scams in 2024, 43% more than the previous year. In this research, I investigate how digital illiteracy, combined with AI-generated deepfakes, creates this crisis. Older adults struggle with three principal vulnerabilities: distinguishing legitimate sites from scams, judging whether online information is truthful, and understanding how algorithms use their data. AI weaponizes these gaps through voice clones, synthetic video calls, and personalized phishing emails that avoid the trust cues seniors tend to rely on. I propose evidence-based solutions, including reverse mentoring, pre-bunking training to build resistance to manipulation, and confidence-building for older adults in using newer technologies. Without urgent intervention, not only will an entire generation face financial devastation and loss of independence, but the next generation of older adults will also be vulnerable to the even newer technologies to come.