Artificial Intelligence (AI) can accelerate knowledge in research, though viewed with caution by members of the Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG), especially regarding the risk of removing human involvement in how research is conducted, analysed, reviewed and evaluated. 

This paper provides an overview of risks, concerns and enablers from research and engagement with AAG members and academic partners. These identified issues support a cautionary approach to AI and ageing research to safeguard ethical research policy and practice that ultimately serves the health and wellbeing of vulnerable older Australians.

Consideration is warranted regarding the impacts of AI on the development of early career researchers and core academic activities, which may lead to deskilling, as well as rising concerns about ethical boundaries and harm associated with its use. This includes a need for wider consensus and monitoring of acceptable applications of AI technologies within the field of ageing research.

Overall, AI technologies have a role in ageing research by enhancing researcher efficiency through improved data searches, analysis and evaluation. However, emerging evidence indicates that widespread AI adoption may lead to the deskilling and reduced critical-thinking abilities of early career researchers, while also increasing risks of ageism, cultural harm to Indigenous communities, and the reinforcement of biases and stereotypes against older individuals and the aged care workforce.