Can AI help older adults turn decades of experience into a new advantage? And how is artificial intelligence changing the way we support older adults who need care? In this Rethinking Aging Club podcast, recorded September 24, 2026, we explored AI across the full spectrum of aging, from active older adults using new technology to expand their creativity, productivity, and opportunities at work to caregivers and senior living professionals using AI to improve the quality of care. Our guests were Kyle Shannon, co-founder of AI Salon and creator of The Great Repurpose, and Benjamin Surmi, social gerontologist and VP of Senior Living at Arvo. They joined host Linda Sherman and co-hosts Debbie Howard and Ray Gordon for a lively discussion about the opportunities, challenges, and human skills that matter most in an AI-powered world. This episode was part of our Future of Work series. Highlights from the Conversation AI as a leveler for older adults in the workforce For years, we've heard about the advantages of digital natives. But does being comfortable with technology outweigh decades of experience, judgment, and wisdom? Kyle, Debbie, and Ray explored how AI could give experienced professionals new ways to apply their knowledge, evaluate results, and remain competitive. Kyle shared examples of Boomers and Gen Xers embracing AI to launch creative projects, change careers, and discover new possibilities. The Great Repurpose: Your value is more than your tasks Kyle introduced The Great Repurpose, his initiative exploring how AI is transforming work and our understanding of personal value. Rather than competing with machines that can increasingly perform specialized tasks, he encouraged people to identify their unique strengths, interests, and purpose—and use AI to amplify them. Kyle also introduced the idea of "aching gaps" - things we've always wanted to do but lacked the skills, tools, or resources to accomplish. He explained how AI was making many of those ambitions newly accessible. Human judgment, taste, and relationships still matter As AI makes technical execution easier, what distinguishes excellent work from mediocre output? The panel discussed the increasing importance of ideas, creativity, taste, judgment, and the ability to communicate a vision. Benjamin emphasized another essential human advantage: building relationships and trust. Debbie shared how her years of experience helped her recognize and improve AI-generated work. Transforming caregiver training with AI Benjamin described how Arvo is rethinking workforce training in senior living. Instead of relying on passive videos and compliance quizzes, Arvo is developing AI-supported, personalized coaching that helps frontline workers practice real-world situations, receive feedback, and build practical skills. The discussion explored interactive avatars, multilingual learning, and the potential for caregivers to practice challenging situations privately before encountering them on the job. Benjamin distinguished what Arvo was doing at the time of the recording from its longer-term vision for realistic simulations involving older adults. AI applications in senior living and family caregiving Benjamin shared examples of AI already entering senior living operations, including August Health, which uses AI to support care planning and help staff quickly understand residents' needs, and Teton AI, which uses sensors and AI analysis to identify potential safety risks. The conversation also covered emerging AI tools designed to help family caregivers find guidance, particularly when supporting someone living with dementia. You don't need to be a technical expert to use AI effectively One of the most practical messages from Kyle and Benjamin was that effective AI use didn't necessarily require elaborate prompts. Both favored natural conversation, giving AI relevant context, explaining what you want, and refining the results. Kyle recommended approaching AI as a collaborative partner rather than a vending machine for answers. He also discussed the importance of helping AI understand who you are, what you value, and what you're trying to accomplish. Voice conversations were another way to make AI increasingly accessible. Throughout the discussion, the panel acknowledged AI's limitations, including inaccurate or mediocre results and concerns about privacy and trust. They emphasized that human oversight remained essential. Our Guests Kyle Shannon, Co-founder, AI Salon; CEO and Co-founder, Storyvine Kyle Shannon is a digital pioneer, entrepreneur, storyteller, and AI community builder with more than 30 years at the intersection of technology and creativity. He co-founded Agency.com, helped create AI Salon and its AI Learning Lab, and leads Storyvine, an automated video storytelling platform. His latest initiative, The Great Repurpose, explores how people can rethink work, creativity, and human potential in the age of AI. LinkedIn | AI Salon | The Great Repurpose | Storyvine Benjamin Surmi, Social Gerontologist; VP of Senior Living, Arvo Benjamin Surmi has spent nearly two decades working to improve the lives of older adults and the people who care for them. His experience spans frontline caregiving, senior living operations, and national leadership, including helping introduce the Humanitude approach to the United States. At Arvo, he focuses on using AI to transform how frontline care workers learn and develop practical skills. Benjamin is also a regular reporter on our weekly News for the Ages by Rethinking Aging Club podcast, bringing insights into senior living, caregiving, and AgeTech innovation. LinkedIn | Arvo Resources Mentioned AI Salon - Community and learning opportunities for exploring generative AI The Great Repurpose - Kyle Shannon's initiative on work, purpose, and human potential Storyvine - Automated video storytelling Arvo - AI-supported workforce learning for senior living Generations at a Glance provided by Linda Sherman August Health - Senior living care management technology (Benjamin Surmi) Teton AI - AI-supported monitoring and safety technology for care settings ElevenLabs - AI-generated voices and audio, discussed in connection with storytelling (Benjamin Surmi) Kelly Boesch - AI music video creator (Kyle) Robert Scoble on X (Scobleizer) - AI/Tech industry commentator whose curated lists Kyle Shannon recommended for discovering AI creators Episode Chapters 00:00 - Introduction: What do we mean by older adults? 04:52 - Meet Kyle Shannon and Benjamin Surmi 12:32 - The Great Repurpose: Finding value beyond job tasks 17:52 - Creativity, storytelling, and AI's potential to fill "aching gaps" 21:38 - Experience, expertise, judgment, and human relationships 29:41 - Can AI level the playing field for older workers? 31:20 - How Arvo is transforming senior living workforce training 38:58 - AI applications in AgeTech, senior living, and caregiving 42:44 - Helping AI understand who you are 47:12 - Natural conversation versus formal prompting 50:00 - Making AI easier to use through better interfaces and voice 52:34 - AI storytelling and the future of personalized training content Episode Links BoomerTechTalk.com episode page LinkedIn show article Full episode transcript About the Podcast Hosted by Linda Sherman, founder and executive producer of the Rethinking Aging Club podcasts, with co-hosts Ray Gordon, architect, urban planner, and futurist, and Debbie Howard, caregiving advocate and co-founder of Living Best. Rethinking Aging Club Podcast participates in the AgeTech Collaborative from AARP. Follow Rethinking Aging Club Podcast and our weekly companion podcast, News for the Ages by Rethinking Aging Club, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major podcast platforms. Music: Solemnity, written and performed by Richard Sherman.
