Motivations, Experiences, and Barriers of Elderly Persons Participating in the Artificial Intelligence–Based Smart Senior Center Project: A Phenomenological Study

This study aimed to explore the motivations, limitations, and aging-related outcomes associated with participation in the artificial intelligence (AI)–based Smart Senior Center Project. In-depth interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of older adults from local senior centers in Korea, and data were analyzed using a phenomenological approach. The senior centers incorporated various AI technologies into health programs, and participants were invited to share their experiences and perceptions of these programs. Analysis revealed 3 overarching themes and 11 subthemes. The first theme reflected participants’ motivations such as pursuing health improvement, expanding social relationships, and seeking enjoyment. The second theme aligned with the optimal aging model, highlighting elements of physical and cognitive maintenance, active social engagement, and enhanced well-being. The third theme addressed program limitations, including fear of digital adoption, dissatisfaction with the lack of program diversity, and challenges in achieving interactive communication compared with face-to-face settings. These findings demonstrate that, although the program facilitated meaningful aspects of optimal aging, its effectiveness was constrained by digital literacy gaps and implementation barriers. Balancing these positive outcomes with the identified limitations points to the need for broadened program diversity, digital literacy support, and hybrid delivery models. Through these improvements, the AI-based Smart Senior Center Project holds considerable potential to contribute to the optimal aging of older adults.