- New research1 commissioned by Currys reveals 94% of over-65s are concerned about AI being used by scammers
- Nearly two-thirds (62%) already understand the basics of AI, but confidence hasn't kept pace, with 68% saying they don't feel confident using tools such as ChatGPT
- One in ten (10%) have lost money to a scam in the past five years, losing £1,595 on average
- Currys - the UK's largest tech retailer, is partnering with national older people in financial hardship charity Independent Age to launch free AI classes to help over-65s use AI safely and confidently
- Presenter and Author, Dame Prue Leith shares the same concern and is backing the training to help other older Brits
Currys today launches the “OAIP Generation”, a national campaign, fronted by Dame Prue Leith, to give Britain’s AI-shy over-65s the confidence to use the technology safely and without fear. The campaign comes as new research commissioned by Currys found almost all (94%) of older Britons are concerned about AI being used by scammers, despite many recognising the benefits AI could bring to everyday life.
Older Britons are more AI-aware than many assume, but confidence hasn't kept pace. New research found that nearly two-thirds (62%) have a basic understanding of AI, yet over two-thirds (68%) don't feel confident using AI tools such as ChatGPT.
As AI becomes increasingly embedded in everything from banking and shopping to healthcare and public services, millions of older Brits risk missing out on technology that could make everyday life easier.
Concern about AI-enabled scams is almost universal, with an overwhelmingly 94% of over-65s saying they are concerned about scammers using AI. One respondent summed up that uncertainty, saying “I don’t trust the way it (AI) gathers information and presents it as correct”.
£1.5k AI Scam Risk
For some, those fears have become a reality. One in ten (10%) older people say they've actually lost money to a scam in the past five years, with those affected losing an average of £1,595 each and total losses among Britain's older population estimated to run into millions of pounds.
Meanwhile, more than half (52%) say they receive suspected scam emails, texts or phone calls at least once a week, underlining why many remain cautious about embracing AI.
Appetite to Learn
But the findings also reveal strong appetite to learn, with over half of older Brits (56%) saying they would feel confident using AI if somebody explained it clearly and without jargon.
The research suggests confidence, not AI itself, is the biggest barrier. Among older people already using AI, three in five (61%) say it has made their day-to-day lives easier. In fact, older people are already using AI to plan holidays (23%), give recipe inspiration (23%), solve technology problems (24%), write emails (21%) and perhaps most importantly, learn new skills (17%).
Currys says this marks the rise of the “OAIP Generation”: Older adults ready to unlock the benefits of AI with the right support, guidance and confidence. And to help, it is today partnering with national charity for older people in financial hardship; Independent Age to launch free AI confidence sessions in four stores nationwide, with the first pilot session held at The Carers Centre Tower Hamlets who Independent Age has grant funded.
Leading the campaign is Dame Prue Leith, who describes herself as a former “tech phobe”. After attending a pilot AI training session with Currys, Prue said: “AI arrived without a manual, so I avoided it. I worried I’d get confused or scammed. But once somebody explained it properly, it suddenly felt far less frightening, and actually incredibly useful. 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 they need somebody to show them where to start without making them feel foolish.”
"There’s a myth older people don’t want to engage with AI. The reality is many are scared of making mistakes or being targeted by scammers. 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 into our stores to inspire the use of AI.”
“There’s a myth older people don’t want to engage with AI. The reality is many are scared of making mistakes or being targeted by scammers. 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 into our stores to inspire the use of AI.”
Catrin Hale, Social Impact and Digital Inclusion Lead, Currys
Respondents described using AI to save time, solve problems and learn new skills. As one participant put it: "I make use of it as regularly as I need but seem to be finding more uses every week."
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 is growing interest in how AI can help with everyday tasks such as budgeting, planning meals or identifying eligibility for financial entitlements, there are also understandable concerns about risks such as scams and inaccurate information.
"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 guidance and advice, 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."
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 28 July, 25 August and 29 September, starting at 10am.
The initiative builds on Currys’ wider mission to make technology accessible and comes as more essential services become harder to use without digital confidence.
Find out more and book your free, local training session at: www.currys.co.uk
ENDS
Notes to editors:
1Research conducted by 3Gem among 1,000 UK adults aged 65+, June 2026.