TRADE UNIONS and pensioners welcomed a new report today highlighting the barriers faced by older people due to the growing issue of “digital ageism.”

The report by the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Rhian Bowen-Davies, calls for action from the Welsh government to prevent older people from becoming excluded in an increasingly digital world.

The report highlights the impact that digital ageism has with stereotyping, prejudice or disadvantage both in employment and in accessing services.

The report also highlights the barriers older workers face with advertising and recruitment systems replicating ageist biases, workplace cultures that stereotype older people as resistant to change and older employees lacking access to digital training.

Ms Bowen-Davies, said: “Digital services and systems are playing an increasing role in our day-to-day lives, but the rapid shift towards ‘digital first’ is resulting in many older people being left behind.

“Alongside this, age-related biases often embedded into AI and algorithms lead to discriminatory outcomes, such as reduced accuracy in healthcare diagnoses or employment practices.”

TUC Cymru general secretary Shavanah Taj said it shared the older people’s commissioner’s concerns about the impact of AI.

“Unions play a vital role in tackling and challenging the discriminatory impacts of AI on older people,” Ms Taj said.

The union body said it had worked with the Welsh government and public-sector employers to produce guidance on the ethical use of AI.

The Older People’s Commissioner demanded that the Welsh government addresses the issues and involves older people in the solutions.

The National Pensioners Convention Wales (NPC Wales) said the report highlights digital ageism and exclusion.

NPC Wales chairman Bryan Godsell said its manifesto for the Senedd elections next year will call for free broadband services for older people.

“For those older people who cannot access online services the next Welsh government should ensure, in law, that non-digital options remain available for both public and private sectors,” Mr Godsell said.

A Welsh government spokesperson said: “As part of our vision to create an age friendly Wales, we work with all sectors, including local authorities, to engage with and design services based on the needs of older people.

“In our Digital Strategy for Wales, we set out our aim for digital inclusion for all.”