Seniors turn to technology to maintain vitality and adapt to the modern world 

A teacher gives a piano lesson to her senior students at the Seniors University of Shanxi in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, on June 1. ZHU XINGXIN/CHINA DAILY

When 68-year-old Yang Huaigui began planning his summer trip to the coastal city of Qingdao, he didn't consult a travel agent or flip through a guidebook. Instead, he opened an artificial intelligence app.

"By inputting travel days, health conditions and personal preferences, AI can generate a comprehensive travel itinerary with just one click," Yang said. "It even accommodates my habits, like early sleep and pre-bedtime foot soaks."

Yang is part of a rapidly growing group of seniors in China who are turning away from traditional retirement pastimes like calligraphy and tai chi, turning toward cutting-edge technology. From urban community centers to university campuses, a wave of artificial intelligence education is sweeping through the elderly population.

In Shanxi province, five universities for senior citizens and numerous community centers have launched AI courses, including the Seniors University of Shanxi, Taiyuan Seniors University and Changzhi Seniors University.

"Based on the characteristics of information technology courses and the cognitive patterns of seniors, we've designed AI courses around the practical needs of our students," said Shi Huiling, vice-president of the Seniors University of Shanxi in the provincial capital, Taiyuan.

Besides traditional courses, the university has added new courses on AI-assisted aging and creative production, offering experiential classes to lower learning barriers.

Outstanding students are selected as "silver-haired teaching assistants" to conduct community outreach and help more seniors master AI, Shi said.

Shi added that while AI can bring convenience to seniors, it also poses risks such as privacy breaches and online scams.

The university has integrated safety education into daily classes, using typical cases like AI face-swapping, false health information and identity fraud to raise students' awareness of risk prevention.

"The proactive learning of AI by seniors is a vivid reflection of embracing the intelligent era and practicing lifelong learning," Shi said.

"It not only meets the practical need for seniors to integrate into digital life but also reflects their deep-seated desire to enrich their spiritual and cultural lives and realize self-worth."

Yang, an avid photographer, also uses AI to analyze his photos, receiving suggestions on lighting and composition.

The drive to adapt to an aging population has become a national strategy in China. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, by the end of 2025, the population aged 60 and older had reached 320 million. This rapid aging process has highlighted the urgent need for initiatives such as AI education for seniors.

Wang Jiaoxue, an instructor at the Seniors University of Shanxi, has witnessed growing enthusiasm for the AI courses.

"When we opened registration in March, it was exceptionally popular. We had to expand enrollment twice, eventually accommodating 244 students across six classes," she said. The students ranged from 50 to 80 years old, with varying levels of smartphone proficiency.

To cater to the unique learning characteristics of seniors, Wang has tailored courses to focus on practical, everyday applications. The curriculum includes the use of large models such as Doubao and Qianwen, image and video generation software such as Dreamina and Kling AI and health-related applications such as Ant Afu.

Recognizing the challenges posed by memory decline, Wang has slowed the teaching pace, breaking down complex operations into simple, step-by-step demonstrations.

"We prioritize content that is simple and practical, enabling seniors to apply what they learn in their daily lives," Wang said.

Niu Yinhui, a 73-year-old student, said that memory decline was a common hurdle for seniors learning new technologies. Yet, through repeated practice, he has become proficient in using AI to organize class notes and summarize books. He has even helped his grandchildren plan their educational paths and answer their questions with AI's assistance.

"Learning AI keeps our minds in tune with the times and revitalizes our spirits," Niu said.

For 53-year-old Kong Meili, her journey with AI began with the stunning AI visual effects at this year's Spring Festival Gala broadcast on China Central Television.

"The spectacular effects made me truly feel the rapid technological advancements in our country. I was deeply moved," she said. Now, she frequently consults AI for health advice and personal care, treating it like a personal assistant.

Li Jie, a short-video creator, has long followed the development of AI. "AI is the trend in the industry, so I enrolled specifically to delve deeper," she said. After training, she expanded her horizons and became adept at using AI to generate various scene images with prompts.

Li has published original works on her social media account, including old photo restoration, AI dynamic portraits and one-click costume changes. She plans to continue honing her skills and use AI to build a unique personal brand.

Contact the writers at zhuxingxin@chinadaily.com.cn

Senior students learn the erhu, a traditional string instrument, at the university, on June 1. ZHU XINGXIN/CHINA DAILY 

A teacher gives an artificial intelligence class at the university. ZHU XINGXIN/CHINA DAILY