By 2050, the global population aged 65 or older is projected to reach 1.5 billion. ITU’s first report, Ageing in a Digital World – From Vulnerable to Valuable, examines how the ICT sector can respond to ageing populations. It explores the interaction between two global megatrends: rapid digitalisation and population ageing. The report highlights opportunities, good practices, solutions, and guidelines for creating inclusive, age-friendly digital environments. It shows how ICTs can reduce older people’s vulnerability and enable them to participate actively in healthier, wealthier, and more inclusive societies.

Artificial intelligence and ageing: inclusive pathways for older persons in a digital world provides a comprehensive assessment of how artificial intelligence is shaping the lives of older persons in an era of rapid demographic and technological change. The report examines the opportunities and challenges associated with AI across key domains of later life, including health, economic security, participation, and connectivity, while highlighting the unequal distribution of AI benefits across age, gender, and region. Through global evidence and lessons from practice, the publication identifies pathways to narrow the AI divide and offers recommendations for stakeholders and decisionmakers to promote responsible, inclusive, and human-centred AI for ageing societies.

The Decade of Healthy Ageing is a global collaboration that brings together diverse sectors and stakeholders including governments, civil society, international organizations, professionals, academic institutions, the media and the private sector to improve the lives of older people, their families and communities

This training course provides valuable information on how to address the digital inclusion of older persons in the context of two global megatrends: an ageing population and the exponential rise in digital technologies. It also provides guidelines, tools and resources that aim to achieve healthier and wealthier inclusive digital societies globally.

Through its three modules, the course includes holistic information on a range of key topics such as the challenges and opportunities arising from these megatrends; key elements to be considered in the process of digital inclusion; the importance of building inclusive and age-friendly environments; accessibility requirements and standards involved in developing accessible and inclusive ICTs; as well as relevant policy and strategy recommendations.

ITU has joined efforts with other UN agencies and civil society organizations to Mainstreaming Knowledge on Ageing. This collective effort is geared towards advancing the UN 2030 Agenda by sharing expertise, strengthening global knowledge, empowering societies, and fostering global partnerships for a better ageing of present and future generations. Identifying existing initiatives and possible ways to improve quality of life for older persons, find out more how Mainstreaming Knowledge on Ageing is fostering inclusion of older persons and enhancing their meaningful participation in societies.