The Ukrainian Media and Communication Institute (UMCI), with the support of the Council of Europe, has prepared an analytical report entitled “Artificial Intelligence for Older Adults: Perceptions, Needs, and Usage Practices”, based on the results of focus group discussions.
A total of four online focus groups were conducted between March 20 and March 27, 2026, bringing together 33 participants from different regions of Ukraine.
The discussions were structured around the following thematic blocks:
- General context – use of digital devices and the Internet
- Perceptions of artificial intelligence
- Practices of utilizing AI tools
- Needs of older adults regarding AI tools
- Learning needs related to AI literacy
The findings revealed that participants are generally aware of AI technologies. However, their understanding of AI is largely intuitive and not necessarily based on in-depth knowledge of how these technologies function. Most frequently, participants use AI to search and process information, work with texts and foreign languages, create presentations, visualizations, and graphic materials.
Most focus group participants reported some experience with AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, DeepL, Grok, Perplexity, and Copilot. However, their level of engagement and confidence in using these technologies varies significantly.
“Overall, these discussions showed that there is often a stereotypical assumption that artificial intelligence is a technology primarily for young people. However, individuals aged 60+ are also open to using it”, says Diana Dutsyk, Executive Director of the UMCI. According to her, this research will help the organization’s experts develop an additional training module about AI for the media and information literacy course for older adults. Currently, the course consists of four modules: the digital world and cybersecurity, critical thinking, psychological resilience, and independent content creation.
You can download the report in English here:
The analytical report was prepared by experts from the NGO Ukrainian Media and Communication Institute. This activity is supported by the Council of Europe project “Safeguarding Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Media in Ukraine – II Phase” (SFEM-UA), implemented by the Council of Europe Division for Co-operation on Freedom of Expression within the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” 2023-2026.