Welcome to the fifth episode of The Silver lAIning, a SAINTS Podcast. Hope you enjoyed our previous conversation with Professor Ibrahim Habli and Dr. Laura Fearnley, where we explored the ethics of AI and the emerging threat of AI-driven psychological harm. During that episode, we referenced the ground-breaking work of Decision Scientist and Policy Analyst Professor Magda Osman.

In this episode we unpack the big question: How do we protect older adults from psychological harm when experts can’t even agree on its definition in a digital age?

We also explore the many pathways to psychological impact from smart technologies, how this applies to AI and older people, the challenges with its measurement and some recommendations for researchers and policy makers, as we navigate an increasing number of IoT devices in everyday living.

After our first episode with Professor Dianne Willcocks, we established a key point; a knowledge gap exists about the risks and benefits of AI, especially amongst older adults. What happens when you bridge that gap?

In our second episode, we invite Margaret Colling, a former librarian and one of the 11 members of the UK public, chosen to be inducted into "People's Panel on AI" in 2023. Through a facilitated deliberation process, the panel put forward recommendations for the government, industry, academia, and civil society.

Since her participation, Margaret has actively advocated for the public's role in addressing the potential ethical and societal risks of AI. In this episode we unpack the many conversations, perspectives, and emotions Margaret has experienced on the societal impact of AI. Listen in to learn more about her newly found purpose; advancing the conversation on the safety of AI.

Welcome to the first episode of the Silver lAIning series: a SAINTS podcast, a conversation at the intersections of aging, safety, and artificial intelligence.

I’m Prenika, a researcher focused on the psychological safety of AI for older adults. This is my chance to learn from, with, and for the people at the heart of my research.

To begin this journey, I wanted to explore the evolving relationship between older people and technology in general. And who better to help us than someone who has dedicated more than four decades as a social scientist to older people’s rights and well-being?

Listen in to my conversation with Professor Dianne Willcocks, a distinguished socio-gerontologist and older people's advocate at York.