Older workers are embracing AI, but persistent stereotypes about age and technology are still shutting them out of jobs and training, according to a new Longevity Workforce Outlook survey conducted by Ipsos on behalf of CWI Works, a leader in workforce development that brings together the employment needs of U.S. businesses and the potential of older American workers.

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The survey found that stereotypes about older workers continue to permeate society and inhibit employment opportunities for adults 55+. 76% of all U.S. adults agree that people assume older workers are less comfortable with new technology, a number that rises to 81% of adults 55+ (four in five), the age group that the misconception impacts the most.

Older Workers Defy Stereotypes, Desire New Skills

While employers and others typecast the technological abilities of older workers, the reality is that employees 55+ are comfortable using technology and eager to learn new skills. Among adults 55+ who have used AI for work, 87% are at least somewhat comfortable using the technology, with nearly half (49%) reporting that they are very or extremely comfortable doing so.

In addition, workers 55+ and those just starting their full-time employment journeys (18-34) who are unemployed and looking for work, want opportunities to update their skills the most (34% v 31%), as compared to middle-aged workers (24%).

“Americans are living longer, but most conversations about how we prepare for an increased life expectancy ignore the reality that people cannot achieve long-term financial security if they lack access to ongoing training and quality jobs,” said Gary A. Officer, president of CWI Works. “Ensuring that people can continue to learn, work, and contribute throughout their longer lives is an economic and social imperative that will shape long-term financial security in an era of rapid technological change.”

Job Descriptions Reinforce Misperceptions

Stereotypes and misperceptions may keep older workers from even applying for a role, starting with terms used in job descriptions that may inadvertently imply bias. While it’s not surprising, phrases like “recent college graduate” in a job description make 69% of workers 55+ less likely to apply. Other ‘coded’ language has the same effect. “Digital-first/digital native” turns away 41% of U.S. adults 55+, with 44% of those reading it as a signal the role is intended for a different age group. Other words that make older workers feel jobs are intended for other age groups include “culture fit” (46%), “go-getter” (45%), and “high potential” (36%).

Job Confidence Falls with Age

Stereotypes and coded language in job descriptions also have an impact on the confidence workers have in their ability to find a new job, with confidence decreasing as age increases. 26% of all adults are not very or not at all confident they could find a new job within one year that pays as much or more. This jumps to 36% for adults 55+ and drops to 20% for those 18-34.

“These findings show that older workers are eagerly embracing new technologies like AI that are reshaping the way we work,” said Ann Manby, chief workforce development officer at CWI Works. “Employers need to reexamine outdated hiring practices, job descriptions, and training and skills development opportunities, or they risk missing out on talented older workers that can offer meaningful contributions to today’s multigenerational workforce.”

Gen X is Going Strong

Gen X may be one of the older generations, but their technology adoption and desire for new skills show they have no intention of slowing down in today’s workforce. 71% of Gen Xers (ages 46-61) have used generative AI, essentially identical to Millennials (ages 30-45) (74%), and 41% are very or extremely interested in learning AI and digital skills. But while they are eager to evolve, coded language will still keep them from applying for jobs. 27% of Gen Xers are less likely to apply to a job description that includes the terms “digital-first/digital native.”

Survey Methodology

The online survey of 1,842 Americans aged 18-75 was conducted by Ipsos for CWI Works, with support from T-Mobile, from July 16 to July 20, 2026, to explore how workers’ access to skills training, quality jobs, and lifelong learning evolves over the course of their careers. It has a credibility interval of +/- 2.8.

About CWI Works

For over six decades, CWI Works has led the way in workforce development, crafting innovative job training and placement programs to meet employers’ business needs and unleash the potential of our nation’s 60 million older American workers. Today, CWI Works is the only national entity dedicated exclusively to the job training and placement needs of American workers 50+. CWI Works partners with American businesses to connect them with a national network of work-ready older Americans, with Federal agencies on staffing solutions, and with older Americans on job training and placement. CWI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For more information, please visit www.cwiworks.org.

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