Highlights from OATS
We're excited to announce the release of Aging Connected 2025, our latest report on digital connectivity among older Americans. This update to our original Aging Connected report, funded by a generous grant from the Humana Foundation, uses an analysis of data from the American Community Survey (ACS) to reveal gaps in access to high-speed data services for Americans aged 65 and older. The findings reveal meaningful progress alongside persistent challenges. The number of older adults lacking wireline broadband access at home has fallen from 22 million in 2018 (42%) to 19 million (32%) in 2023.
We're excited to announce the release of Aging Connected 2025, our latest report on digital connectivity among older Americans. This update to our original Aging Connected report, funded by a generous grant from the Humana Foundation, uses an analysis of data from the American Community Survey (ACS) to reveal gaps in access to high-speed data services for Americans aged 65 and older. The findings reveal meaningful progress alongside persistent challenges. The number of older adults lacking wireline broadband access at home has fallen from 22 million in 2018 (42%) to 19 million (32%) in 2023.
To learn more about why closing the gap is urgent, read about the drivers of connectivity gaps, policy implications, and more. Read Aging Connected 2025.
Industry Updates
Interested in tech updates? Stay informed with our new Senior Planet article series: The Tech Hub. In our first story, "Tech Hub Debut: AI Update," we cover how artificial intelligence (AI) continues to be the focus of exciting new developments for people, homes and businesses.
- VISA showcased its Intelligent Commerce system, designed to empower AI agents to act as personal shoppers. Visa also launched AI-ready payment credentials, digital cards using secure tokenized identities for instant, safe purchase authentication by AI agents.
- Perplexity has recently introduced Comet, an AI-powered web browser designed to compete with Google Chrome and other AI-driven browsers like OpenAI.
- Amazon has gotten into the AI game by introducing us to Alexa+, the next generation of its voice assistant, powered by generative AI. Alexa+ provides a more conversational and capable experience, allowing it to manage your home, make reservations, track new artists, and handle complex tasks.
- Norton’s Genie is a free AI-powered tool helping to detect scams and phishing. It learns from user uploads of suspicious texts, emails, or web addresses to improve protection against online threats.
Read more tech updates in our new article: Are You Ready for the New Phones?
Senior Planet Resource Corner
Unlocking Online Opportunities: Internet Basics for Older Adults Guidebook
Created by the Senior Planet curriculum team in May 2025, this guidebook is intended for older adults who are learning about the internet for the first time, providing resources to increase confidence in technology and promote online safety.
Inside you can read about the key benefits of connecting to the internet, privacy tips & tricks, the basics of web searching and an introduction to the future of technology, AI. Please feel free to share and distribute this free resource amongst your community.
Senior Planet Curriculum Updates
OATS published 23 new programs in Q3 including lectures, workshops, virtual demos and program series. Topics covered include:
- Small Business Tech: A focus on older adult entrepreneurs, with classes on Digital Payments, Online Communications, and AI for their business.
- Smartphone Series: 5-week courses for iPhone and Android users.
- Workshops: Password managers, voice assistants (Siri, Google Assistant), and privacy settings.
- Virtual Demos: A virtual walk through of privacy settings on iPhone and Android phones, as well as using the Google Gemini app.
Connecting with Peers
Recently Attended Events
- July 7: Aurora Commission for Older Adults (ACFOA)
- July 14: Contra Costa County Area on Agency 60th Anniversary of the Older Americans Act
- July 30: National Digital Extension Education Team (NDEET) visit to Senior Planet Colorado
- August 2: AACI Back to School Resource Fair
- August 29: OpenAI North Carolina Central University Event
- September 11: Alzheimer’s Association: San Antonio & South Texas event
- September 16: Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City Digital Access Research Forum
- September 17: Vintage and Vibrant in Colorado
- September 17: AARP West Region Community Think Tank
- September 24: 30 Minutes of Excellence: Resources for Working with Older Adult Job Seekers
- September 24: Fiber Connect Podcast 2025
- September 25: Colorado Health Literacy Conference
- September 25: Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference
- October 6: AARP CA Cyber Chat Teletown Hall
- October 7: Kaiser Permanente’s Aging Well Summit
- October 8: White Plains Recreation & Parks Event
- October 10: 2025 Aurora Forum
- October 13: AARP CA's event on deepfakes and scams
- October 16: KINBERCON 2025
- October 21: Grantmakers in Aging 2025 Annual Conference
Upcoming Events
- October 30: Ryan Kawamoto will be speaking at the 2025 Bay Area Digital Inclusion Summit
- November 4: Say 'hello' to Jeff Rose at the Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan’s Annual Conference
- November 12: Mario Rubano will be presenting at the Bucks County Blind Association: Virtual Healthy Living event
- November 18: Tom Kamber will deliver insights at the inaugural AgeTech Connect Summit, highlighting how technology empowers older adults and driving exploration of innovations across three key impact areas
- January 2026: Meet up with Tom Kamber, Jeff Rose, Connor Whitley, and Sean Cruse at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada
- February 2026: Connect with Jeff Rose and Ellen Forbes at Net Inclusion in Chicago, Illinois
If you’ll be attending any of these upcoming events, please reach out to us at info@oats.org or connect with us on social media! We would love to grab a coffee and chat.
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