OpenAI and AARP bring free ChatGPT workshops to seniors across the United States

Why the Initiative Was Launched

OpenAI announced a new series of free, in‑person workshops aimed at helping seniors use ChatGPT for everyday tasks.

The program, called the Older Adults AI Skills Jam, is run by OpenAI Academy together with the Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) arm of AARP.

The jam will travel to ten U.S. cities, reaching roughly 1,000 older participants.

Cities include Denver, Colorado; Miami, Florida; San Antonio, Texas; Montgomery County, Maryland; Queens, New York; St. Louis, Missouri; the Twin Cities, Minnesota; Nashville, Tennessee; Fresno, California; and Boise, Idaho.

Local partners such as Senior Planet, the Mirowitz Center, Senior Community Services, the Nashville Public Library, FiftyForward, Fresno EOC and LEARN Idaho are providing venues and outreach.

OpenAI frames the effort as part of a multi‑year commitment to make AI tools useful and accessible for people of every age.

Data released by OpenAI show that messages from users aged 55 and older rose from 6 % to almost 10 % of total ChatGPT traffic in one year.

This growth indicates that seniors are turning to the model for practical guidance, information retrieval, and writing assistance.

What the AI Skills Jam Offers

The workshops focus on real‑world scenarios such as planning travel, deciphering letters or bills, spotting potential scams, exploring new hobbies, and staying in touch with family.

A core safety module teaches participants to recognize urgent language, secrecy cues, and suspicious links before consulting ChatGPT.

The module reinforces a simple three‑step rule: “pause, think, and ask.”

OpenAI notes that tens of millions of queries each week involve users asking the model to evaluate suspicious messages, emails or websites.

By training seniors to apply that same scrutiny, the jam complements OpenAI’s broader anti‑fraud initiatives.

Participants will receive hands‑on practice using ChatGPT on laptops or tablets provided by the host organizations.

Instructors walk attendees through prompting techniques that elicit concise, reliable answers.

The curriculum also covers how to verify information independently and how to protect personal data while interacting with AI.

OpenAI Academy has previously run similar events with nonprofits, small businesses and K‑12 educators, building a foundation for the current senior‑focused series.

Organizers say feedback from earlier sessions will shape future resources tailored to older adults’ needs.

The collaboration with OATS reflects AARP’s long‑standing mission to improve technology access for its members.

By leveraging community centers and libraries, the jam reduces travel barriers and brings the training to neighborhoods where seniors live.

Looking Ahead

The initiative aligns with OpenAI’s public statement that AI should be a tool that “helps make everyday life easier.”

The program’s free nature removes cost as a barrier for low‑income older adults.

As adoption rises, ensuring safe usage becomes increasingly important for protecting a demographic that may be targeted by scams.

Observers will watch whether the jam’s safety training translates into measurable reductions in reported fraud incidents among participants.

Why This Matters