Preparing Communities for AI Risks Facing Older Adults at #MACoCon

As artificial intelligence becomes part of everyday life, helping older adults safely navigate its opportunities and risks is an increasingly important role.

Artificial intelligence is changing how people access information. From virtual assistants and online banking to healthcare portals and customer service chatbots, AI-powered tools are becoming commonplace, and increasingly unavoidable. At the same time, scammers are leveraging these same technologies to create increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes, making it more difficult than ever to distinguish legitimate communications from deceptive ones. Older adults, who may be less familiar with emerging technologies or more likely to be targeted by fraudsters, face unique challenges in this evolving landscape.

Description:

Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly embedded in everyday life, from healthcare and banking to social media, customer service, and fraud schemes. While these technologies can improve access to information and services, they also present growing risks for older adults, who are often targeted by scams, misinformation, identity theft, and deceptive AI-generated content. Local governments and human services agencies are on the front lines of helping residents navigate these rapidly evolving challenges. This panel will explore how counties and community partners can better protect older adults in an AI-driven world. Discussions will focus on emerging threats such as voice cloning scams, deepfakes, online fraud, and the misuse of personal data, as well as strategies to strengthen digital literacy, consumer protection, and community outreach. Panelists will also examine the broader ethical and policy considerations surrounding AI, including accessibility and equitable access to technology. Attendees will hear how state and local agencies, nonprofits, and advocates are responding to these challenges and building safeguards to help older adults safely engage with new technologies while maintaining independence and trust.

Speakers:
  • Andrea Nunez, Legislative Director, Maryland Department of Aging
  • Sara Westrick, State Advocacy Director, AARP Maryland
  • Ofelia Ross Ott, Administrator, Howard County Office on Aging and Independence
  • Ben Yelin, Program Director, Public Policy & External Affairs, University of Maryland Center for Cyber, Health, and Hazard Strategies

Moderator: The Honorable Emily Shetty, Maryland House of Delegates

Date/Time: Thursday, August 13, 2026; 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

MACo’s Summer Conference, “Build What’s Next,” takes place August 12–15, 2026, at the Roland Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, Maryland. For more information, visit the conference website.

Learn more about MACo’s Summer Conference: