Week 8: AI & the Brain – How Technology Can Support Lifelong Learning:

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Introduction

(Borella, Carretti, & De Beni, 2008), (Davis & Charness, 2012), (Loos & Zonneveld, 2021), (Zhou et al., 2025), (Kosmyna, 2025), (Vaportzis, Clausen, & Gow, 2017)

As people age, staying mentally sharp, curious, and independent becomes increasingly important. Lifelong learning-the ongoing pursuit of new knowledge, skills, or experiences—helps keep the brain active, supports memory and attention, and can even improve quality of life. Today, technology, especially tools powered by artificial intelligence (AI), is making it easier than ever for older adults to engage in learning that is practical, personalized, and enjoyable. From brain-training games and language apps to voice assistants and conversational AI like ChatGPT, these tools offer new ways to challenge the mind, explore interests, and stay connected.

Aging naturally brings changes in memory, processing speed, and focus, but research shows that engaging in stimulating mental activities can help maintain cognitive function and even counter some of these changes. AI-based tools take this a step further by adapting to individual needs and abilities. Unlike static resources such as books or lectures, AI can provide exercises and explanations tailored to the learner’s pace, interests, and level of comfort. Of course, not all older adults feel confident using technology. Some may worry about confusing interfaces, privacy, or simply making mistakes. This makes it important for tools to be user-friendly, flexible, and supportive.

While AI offers many learning advantages, it is equally important to recognize potential risks. A recent study published in Nature (June 2025) suggested that excessive reliance on AI-generated outputs may reduce independent brain activity and problem-solving engagement. News coverage by CNN and MIT Media Lab echoed these concerns, emphasizing that AI should be used as a complement to, not a replacement for, active thinking and personal reflection. These findings underscore the need for balance, encouraging learners to use AI mindfully as a supportive tool for curiosity and critical thinking rather than passive consumption.

In this lesson we will explore how AI and other digital technologies can support lifelong learning for older adults. It examines the science of the aging brain, reviews evidence on brain-training apps, adaptive learning platforms, voice assistants, and conversational AI, and discusses language learning, social engagement, and ethical considerations. Throughout, practical tips this lesson will help guide you on how to incorporate technology into daily learning. The goal is to show that, with the right tools and strategies, lifelong learning can be stimulating, accessible, and deeply rewarding at any age.

Additionally, we will discuss strategies for using AI safely and effectively, including how to craft strong prompts, verify credibility, and maintain mental engagement while exploring new tools.

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

Artificial intelligence, or AI, refers to computer systems designed to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence. This includes understanding and responding to language, recognizing patterns, solving problems, and making decisions. In the context of lifelong learning, AI powers tools like brain-training games, adaptive learning apps, voice assistants, and conversational programs such as ChatGPT. These tools do not think or feel like humans, but they can provide personalized guidance, explanations, practice exercises, and interactive learning experiences that help keep the mind active and engaged.

Science fiction has certainly familiarized the world with the concept of artificial intelligence. But outside of Hollywood…what is A.I. and what can it actually do?

Ready to get started with generative AI? Here are the 5 must-knows for younger users and parents to learn how to use it responsibly.

The Science of Brain Plasticity and Cognitive Reserve

(Kühn & Gallinat, 2014), (Borella et al., 2008), (Stern, 2009), (Mayer, 2019), (Kühn & Gallinat, 2014), (McCabe, 2011)

Understanding how AI can support lifelong learning requires first looking at the underlying neuroscience. For much of the twentieth century, scientists believed that the brain’s structure and function were relatively fixed after childhood. This view, however, has been replaced by evidence of neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life.

Neuroplasticity explains why individuals can acquire new skills, languages, or hobbies even in late adulthood. It also provides the scientific foundation for cognitive training interventions. Studies show that older adults who engage in structured learning tasks demonstrate measurable improvements in working memory, attention, and reasoning skills. These benefits can persist long after the training ends, suggesting that the brain remains capable of growth and adaptation.

A related concept is cognitive reserve, which refers to the brain’s resilience in coping with age-related decline or neurological damage. People who engage in mentally stimulating activities across their lives, such as reading, playing instruments, or learning new technologies, tend to have greater cognitive reserve. This means they are less likely to experience severe functional decline even if structural brain changes occur. Importantly, technology-assisted learning can contribute to building and maintaining this reserve by providing ongoing opportunities for challenge and novelty.

Practical examples of this can be found in digital brain-training games and adaptive learning apps. Programs like BrainHQ, Lumosity and CogniFit use AI algorithms to adjust the difficulty of tasks based on user performance, ensuring that the brain is always pushed to an optimal level of challenge. For instance, if a memory game becomes too easy, the software increases its complexity by adding more items or reducing response time. This mirrors the principle of scaffolding in education, where support is gradually reduced as learners gain competence.

The neuroscientific basis for such approaches is strong. Functional MRI studies show that training in specific cognitive domains can lead to increased activation in relevant brain regions, as well as improved connectivity between them. For example, older adults who engage in video gaming have demonstrated improved attentional control and working memory, with corresponding changes in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. These findings challenge stereotypes about technology being “for the young” and instead point to real biological benefits for older users.

However, it is important to note that not all claims made by commercial brain-training companies are supported by rigorous science. A meta-analysis by Simons et al. (2016) found that while training can improve performance on the tasks being practiced, transfer to everyday cognitive functioning is more limited. This means that playing memory games may make someone better at those games, but not necessarily at remembering grocery lists or appointments. The most effective interventions appear to be those that combine cognitive exercises with meaningful real-world applications, such as learning a new language, practicing digital literacy, or collaborating in online communities.

BrainHQ, for PCs and mobile devices brings real science to brain training. And there's a new feature aimed at motivation. Details? Posit Science co-founder and CEO Henry Mahncke chats with Techstination's Fred Fishkin.

The implication for educators and learners is clear: AI-based cognitive tools should not be seen as quick fixes but as part of a larger lifelong learning ecosystem. By grounding their use in principles of neuroplasticity and cognitive reserve, older adults can take advantage of technology not only to “train the brain” but to engage in personally meaningful learning experiences that support both independence and quality of life.

AI-Driven Brain Games and Adaptive Learning Apps

(Yang et al., 2021), (Hwang & Chang, 2021), (Abd-alrazaq et al., 2022), (Borella et al., 2008), (McCabe, 2011)

One of the most visible applications of AI for older adults is in brain-training games and adaptive learning applications. These tools are designed to provide interactive exercises that target specific cognitive functions such as memory, attention, processing speed, and problem-solving. Unlike traditional puzzles or paper-based exercises, AI-based programs can adjust difficulty levels in real time, analyze user performance, and create a customized training pathway for each individual.

Research shows that older adults who engage with brain-training programs can see measurable improvements in cognitive performance. For example, a randomized controlled trial by Nouchi et al. (2012) compared older adults playing the Brain Age game with those playing Tetris over a four-week period. Participants using Brain Age showed significant improvements in executive functions and processing speed. Similarly, a meta-analysis of video game interventions for older adults concluded that interactive games could enhance global cognition, attention, and even mood, particularly when they require active engagement rather than passive observation.

Types of AI-Based Cognitive Tools

Memory Training Games: These games focus on tasks such as remembering sequences, matching pairs, or recalling spatial locations. AI algorithms adjust the difficulty based on success rates, ensuring the user is neither bored nor frustrated.
Problem-Solving and Logic Games: These activities include puzzles, pattern recognition, and strategy games. They stimulate executive functions and reasoning skills.
Exercise Games: Combining physical movement with cognitive challenges, exergames can improve both mental and physical health. For example, games that require step counting, balance, or coordinated movements alongside memory tasks have shown improvements in attention and cognitive inhibition among older adults.
Adaptive Learning Apps: Beyond gaming, apps for language learning, digital literacy, or even financial skills use AI to track progress, suggest new content, and reinforce concepts that need more practice.

● Language Learning: Duolingo, Babbel, Rosetta Stone

● Digital Literacy / General Knowledge: Khan Academy, Coursera, edX, Skillshare

● Financial Literacy / Life Skills: Acorns, YNAB, Practical Money Skills

● Cognitive / Memory Skills: CogniFit, Peak

This video presents research led by Marcia Shade at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, examining the engagement of older adults with health-related routines facilitated by a conversational AI assistant (Amazon Alexa).

At the sixth annual IBM Research Cognitive Colloquium, Tajana Rosing, co-director of the Artificial Intelligence for Healthy Living Center -- a collaboration between IBM Research and UC San Diego -- explains the Center's two-fold focus on using AI to address cognitive issues and the relationship between the human microbiome and cognition -- and why this work is personal to her.

A critical consideration is engagement. The most effective cognitive interventions combine novelty, challenge, and enjoyment. Older adults are more likely to persist when exercises feel meaningful or enjoyable, rather than repetitive or arbitrary. This underscores the importance of designing user interfaces that are intuitive and aesthetically pleasing, with clear instructions and accessibility features such as adjustable fonts, color contrast, and voice guidance.

It is also important to recognize the limitations. While brain-training games improve performance on specific exercises, transfer to daily cognitive tasks is less guaranteed. Programs are most effective when paired with broader, real-life learning experiences such as group discussions, problem-solving projects, or intergenerational learning activities. In this sense, AI-based tools function best as one component of a holistic approach to cognitive engagement, rather than a standalone solution.

Voice Assistants, Everyday Tools, and Social Connection

(Czaja et al., 2019), (Vaportzis et al., 2017), (Kühn & Gallinat, 2014)

Brain science has entered a remarkable new era. In recent years, rigorous studies have moved brain health from a theoretical concept to actionable strategies. Randomized trials now show that lifestyle changes can improve cognition, new blood tests can clarify the type of memory problem a person has, and disease-modifying drugs for early Alzheimer’s disease have received FDA approval. Large reviews continue to refine the list of modifiable risk factors, highlighting the most effective interventions for protecting the aging brain. For older adults, this evidence is both hopeful and practical. Maintaining brain fitness is not about miracle cures but about combining small, daily habits that support cognition and quality of life.

Key Lesson: You are not powerless against age-related cognitive decline. Everyday choices regarding diet, movement, sleep, social connection, and routine health care measurably impact brain function.

The STAC-R model explains that as we age, our brains change, but we can build “scaffolds” to stay sharp. Positive habits like learning, exercise, and social engagement strengthen brain structure and function, while stress or illness weaken them. These factors together decide how well our brain works and how fast it declines.

💪 5. Intervention

You can boost this scaffolding through:

Learning new things
Social engagement
Exercise
Meditation
Cognitive or brain training

Advantages for Older Adults

Memory Support and Cognitive Scaffolding: Older adults may forget appointments, medication schedules, or daily tasks. Voice assistants serve as external memory aids, reducing cognitive load and freeing mental resources for learning and exploration.

Interactive Learning: Many assistants can be prompted to provide quizzes, language practice, or educational content. For example, asking a voice assistant to “teach me a new word in Spanish” or “quiz me on history facts” turns everyday interactions into learning opportunities.
Accessibility: For individuals with limited vision, mobility, or dexterity, voice interfaces make digital tools more approachable. They remove barriers associated with small screens, keyboards, or touch navigation.

Social Connection: Voice assistants can facilitate social engagement by helping older adults communicate with family and friends, send messages, or participate in online classes. They also offer companionship in the sense of responsive interaction, which can alleviate feelings of isolation.

Practical Considerations
While these tools are helpful, there are limitations. Older adults may face challenges with accent recognition, background noise, or complex commands. Ensuring proper setup, providing hands-on guidance, and pairing technology with structured instruction or peer support can mitigate these difficulties. Additionally, privacy and security are important. Users should understand what data is collected and how it is used, choosing devices and apps with transparent policies.

Research suggests that combining everyday AI tools with structured cognitive activities enhances engagement. For instance, a participant might practice memory exercises on a tablet, then reinforce learning by asking a voice assistant to summarize key points or quiz them later. This creates multiple, reinforcing pathways for memory consolidation and cognitive practice, which aligns with neuroplasticity principles.

By integrating AI into daily routines, older adults can maintain independence, remain socially connected, and access continuous learning opportunities. The combination of interactive cognitive exercises, voice-assisted reminders, and social facilitation demonstrates how AI can extend learning beyond the classroom or digital game, embedding it into everyday life.

💡 Let’s take a look at this fascinating research on how scientists are using AI to support our aging population. With over 1 billion people aged 60+, innovative “age tech” solutions—like AI-powered conversational assistants—are transforming elderly care, improving safety, independence, and overall quality of life. 🌍🤖💬

Introduction

(JAMA, 2025; FDA, 2024)

Key Lesson: You are not powerless against age-related cognitive decline. Everyday choices regarding diet, movement, sleep, social connection, and routine health care measurably impact brain function.

🎥 Must Watch! This video highlights the top 10 AI companions for seniors — from voice-activated assistants to conversational robots. Discover how these smart tools are enhancing everyday life and independence for older adults. 💡🤖💬

ChatGPT and Conversational AI as Learning Partners

(OpenAI, 2023), (Hwang & Chang, 2021), (Liu, Wang, & Xu, 2023), (Selwyn, 2016), (Mayer, 2019; Zhou & Deng, 2023), (Liu et al., 2023), (Vaportzis et al., 2017), (Agarwal & Dugas, 2022), (Enam et al., 2025),

One of the most transformative developments in AI-assisted learning is the rise of large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT. Unlike traditional search engines, which provide lists of links requiring users to sift through information, ChatGPT delivers direct, human-like responses to questions, enabling a more interactive and adaptive learning experience. This conversational style is particularly beneficial for older adults, who may find navigating multiple websites, filter technical jargon, or distinguishing reliable information challenging.

While ChatGPT is currently one of the most widely used conversational AI tools, there are other platforms worth exploring, including Google Gemini and DeepSeek. Each platform has unique strengths and limitations in terms of accuracy, reliability, and data privacy. Learners should be aware that responses may differ between systems and that it is wise to cross-check information across multiple sources.

🚀 ChatGPT is taking the internet by storm! From writing essays to crafting poetry, this viral AI is changing how we create and communicate. But as its popularity soars — and with major investments on the horizon — many are asking: is ChatGPT a tool for progress, or a potential threat? 🤖💭

Advantages Over Search Engines

Personalized Explanations: ChatGPT can adjust the complexity and style of its responses based on the learner’s background knowledge. For instance, an older adult can ask, “Explain the carbon cycle as if I am 12 years old,” and receive an accessible, concise explanation.
Interactive Follow-Up: Users can ask clarifying or follow-up questions without needing to start a new search. This simulates a tutoring session, allowing learners to explore ideas in a more natural, dialogic way.
Summarization and Synthesis: ChatGPT can condense dense articles, highlight key points, and even compare competing viewpoints. This reduces cognitive load and makes complex topics more approachable.

Practice and Simulation: ChatGPT can serve as a practice partner for language learning, quizzes, or real-world scenario simulations. For example, it can role-play a conversation in a foreign language or test historical knowledge.

Ease of Access and Confidence Building: Users can ask questions in everyday language without needing exact keywords, lowering barriers to engagement and increasing confidence in exploring unfamiliar topics.

In addition to these benefits, understanding how to craft effective prompts is key to improving learning outcomes. Good prompting involves being clear, specific, and intentional about what you ask. For example, instead of asking “Tell me about exercise,” a more effective prompt might be, “Explain how moderate aerobic exercise supports brain health in older adults, and include one research reference.” This approach encourages AI to produce more accurate, relevant, and educational responses.

What is Generative AI and how does it work? What are common applications for Generative AI? Watch this video to learn all about Generative AI, including common applications, model types, and the fundamentals for how to use it.

Large Language Models (LLMs) and Generative AI intersect and they are both part of deep learning. Watch this video to learn about LLMs, including use cases, Prompt Tuning, and GenAI development tools.

Educational Applications and Group Learning
In classroom or community settings, ChatGPT can function as a facilitator or co-instructor. Educators may project ChatGPT responses to stimulate discussion, generate writing prompts, or model effective questioning strategies. Learners can also experiment independently, using ChatGPT to reinforce concepts learned in class, explore personal interests, or conduct research.

Limitations and Considerations
While ChatGPT offers unique advantages, it is not without limitations. The model can produce inaccurate or misleading information, omit important nuances, or provide overly simplified explanations. Therefore, learners should use ChatGPT as a complementary resource, verifying critical information with reputable sources such as peer-reviewed journals or trusted organizations. Educators should guide learners in distinguishing high-quality information from errors to maximize learning outcomes.

Equally important, learners should be encouraged to periodically step away from AI tools to process information independently. Reflective discussion, journaling, or peer teaching can help maintain the brain’s active engagement and prevent cognitive overreliance on AI-generated outputs.

By offering interactive, adaptive, and accessible support, ChatGPT exemplifies how conversational AI can expand lifelong learning opportunities. Its potential to engage older adults in personalized, flexible, and curiosity-driven learning experiences makes it a powerful tool for cognitive stimulation and skill acquisition.

Language and Knowledge Expansion for Lifelong Learning

(Borella et al., 2008; McCabe, 2011), (Kühn & Gallinat, 2014), (Hwang & Chang, 2021), (Liu et al., 2023), (Mayer, 2019; Zhou & Deng, 2023), (McCabe, 2011; Selwyn, 2016), (Stern, 2009)

Language and knowledge acquisition are central pillars of lifelong learning, and AI can support both in ways that are tailored, immediate, and measurable. Older adults who engage in new language learning or pursue knowledge in unfamiliar domains experience enhanced cognitive function, social engagement, and self-efficacy. AI tools, including adaptive learning apps and conversational agents, facilitate these experiences by providing structured practice, feedback, and contextualized learning opportunities.

It’s obvious that knowing more than one language can make certain things easier — like traveling or watching movies without subtitles. But are there other advantages to having a bilingual (or multilingual) brain? Mia Nacamulli details the three types of bilingual brains and shows how knowing more than one language keeps your brain healthy, complex and actively engaged.

It doesn’t have to be rocket science. Duolingo makes learning a language fun with game-like lessons in 35+ languages. Learn free on the world’s #1 education app.

Language Learning and Cognitive Benefits
Research indicates that learning a new language improves executive function, working memory, and attentional control, particularly when practice is frequent and engaging. AI-driven platforms such as Duolingo, Babbel, or ChatGPT provide interactive exercises that adapt to individual progress. For instance, AI can track vocabulary retention, highlight errors, and adjust lesson difficulty dynamically, promoting efficient learning.

Beyond vocabulary and grammar, conversational AI enables immersive practice. ChatGPT, for example, can simulate real-life conversations, allowing learners to respond and receive instant feedback without the social pressure that might be intimidating in a classroom or community setting. This provides a safe environment for experimentation and failure, which is essential for skill acquisition.

Knowledge Expansion Across Domains
AI tools can also support lifelong learning in areas beyond language. Older adults may wish to explore history, science, technology, or art. Adaptive learning platforms and ChatGPT can provide summaries of complex topics, answer follow-up questions, and suggest related readings or activities. By offering multiple learning modalities: text, interactive quizzes, audio narration, AI reinforces understanding while accommodating individual preferences and sensory needs.

For example, an older adult interested in astronomy could ask ChatGPT to explain the solar system, request a simplified visual diagram, and then be quizzed on key concepts. Simultaneously, a tablet-based app could provide interactive simulations, such as modeling planetary orbits, combining cognitive stimulation with hands-on engagement. This multimodal, AI-enhanced approach mirrors educational best practices in scaffolding, immediate feedback, and reinforcement, which are proven to support retention and transfer to real-life contexts.

Practical Recommendations

● Set goals and track progress: Use AI to set measurable learning targets, monitor retention, and adjust practice frequency.

● Mix cognitive and social learning: Combine solo AI-based practice with discussion groups, classes, or online forums for richer engagement.
● Leverage multimodal tools: Incorporate apps, conversational AI, audio, and visual aids to reinforce concepts and accommodate sensory differences.
● Stay curious and flexible: Encourage experimentation with topics and activities outside previous interests, which strengthens cognitive reserve and lifelong learning habits.

By integrating AI into both language and general knowledge learning, older adults can actively expand their cognitive abilities, pursue personal interests, and maintain engagement with the world. This approach exemplifies the potential of technology to make lifelong learning practical, enjoyable, and cognitively beneficial at any age.

Social Learning, Community Engagement, and the Role of AI

(Berkman & Syme, 1979), (Selwyn, 2016), (Loos & Zonneveld, 2021), (Kühn & Gallinat, 2014), (Czaja et al., 2019), (Berkman & Syme, 1979)

While individual cognitive practice is important, learning does not occur in isolation. Social engagement and community participation are critical for maintaining cognitive health and emotional well-being in older adults. AI can enhance these social dimensions by providing tools that facilitate communication, collaboration, and shared learning experiences.

Virtual Learning Communities
AI-powered platforms enable older adults to participate in online discussion groups, classes, and collaborative projects. For example, adaptive learning platforms may allow learners to post questions and receive AI-generated guidance before engaging in peer discussions. This creates a scaffolded environment where individuals can feel confident contributing, knowing that AI can provide clarification, summaries, or context as needed.

Facilitating Intergenerational Learning
Technology can bridge generational gaps by enabling older adults to learn alongside younger participants. Apps or platforms that incorporate AI tutors or conversational agents can allow older learners to follow the same pace as younger learners without pressure, providing personalized explanations or additional practice where needed. This encourages meaningful social interactions, collaborative problem-solving, and knowledge sharing across age groups.

Virtual and Augmented Reality for Social Engagement
Emerging technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) can simulate group experiences or community engagement. For instance, older adults can participate in virtual museum tours, language conversation clubs, or historical reenactments without leaving home. AI algorithms can guide participants, provide context, and facilitate group interactions in these virtual spaces, enriching the social and cognitive benefits.

Practical Applications for Daily Life
Integrating AI into social learning does not require sophisticated equipment. Voice assistants, chatbots, and collaborative learning apps can connect learners for shared quizzes, discussion prompts, or co-creation projects. For example, a weekly virtual book club could use AI to summarize chapters, generate discussion questions, and moderate debates, enabling participants to focus on higher-order thinking and social connection.

Research underscores that combining cognitive and social engagement leads to better outcomes than either alone. Social interactions stimulate memory, language, and executive function, while collaborative problem-solving promotes reasoning and attention. By leveraging AI tools to enhance these experiences, older adults can maintain an active mind while fostering meaningful relationships, thereby supporting both cognitive health and emotional well-being.

Getting seniors to embrace new technology is a challenge. One local university has actually created a lab to study how older adults can and will interact with technology.

Smart Homes for Seniors joins a group of older people in regional Australia on their six-month journey of living with smart home technologies in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Practical Tips, Integration Strategies, and Conclusion

(Stern, 2009; Kühn & Gallinat, 2014)

To maximize the benefits of AI-assisted lifelong learning, older adults and educators can implement several practical strategies.

Additional Tips for Safe and Effective AI Use:

Use multiple AI platforms to compare information and identify inconsistencies.
Practice writing detailed, clear prompts to encourage credible and informative AI responses.
Limit screen time and balance AI-based learning with real-world, hands-on, or social activities to prevent cognitive fatigue (Zhou et al., 2025).
Stay informed about privacy settings and data usage policies on each AI platform.

Integration into Daily Life
Older adults can embed AI into routines to reinforce learning naturally. For example, they might ask a voice assistant for a word of the day during breakfast, use a tablet to review history content in the afternoon, and engage with ChatGPT in the evening to practice language skills or discuss current events. Combining cognitive exercises, social interaction, and practical application creates a continuous, immersive learning environment that aligns with principles of neuroplasticity and cognitive reserve.

Conclusion

The intersection of AI, neuroscience, and lifelong learning presents unprecedented opportunities for older adults to maintain cognitive vitality, independence, and curiosity. By combining curiosity with critical awareness, learners can use AI as a catalyst for deeper thinking rather than a shortcut to answers. AI tools, from brain-training games and adaptive learning platforms to voice assistants and conversational AI like ChatGPT, offer personalized, engaging, and flexible pathways to learning. When combined with social engagement, real-world practice, and careful guidance, these technologies can enhance memory, reasoning, and emotional well-being.

Ultimately, technology is not a replacement for human teaching or social interaction but a powerful complement. By embracing AI in thoughtful, evidence-based ways, older adults can continue to learn, grow, and thrive at any age, transforming the process of aging into an active, intellectually stimulating, and socially connected journey.

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