Digital divide theory: What is old is new again in an era of health technology and artificial intelligence
M. Bults (the Netherlands), C. Daum (Canada) (Convenors), G. Bin Noon (Canada), M. Bults (the Netherlands), C. Daum (Canada), M.E.M. den Ouden (the Netherlands), S.W.M. Groeneveld (the Netherlands), G.C. Kloek (the Netherlands), D. van der Linden (the Netherlands), L. Liu (Canada), A. Miguel Cruz (Canada), P.P. Morita (Canada), A. Rios Rincón (Canada), H. Ross (Canada), S. Salim (Canada), A. Simard (Canada), A.M. Tinga (the Netherlands), T. Van Katwyk (Canada). These participants include members of Cross-Culturalresponsive and accessible Technologies for Societal impact (CCTS-network)(https://uwaterloo.ca/aging-innovation-research-program/cross-cultural-responsive-and-accessible-technologies).
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AbstractISSUE Responsive and accessible technologies for societal impact allow older adults to participate in society. Technology can assist older adults in their day-to-day lives. Furthermore, technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), can facilitate diagnosis and preventive screening, manage chronic conditions through monitoring vital signs and activity patterns, and encourage social and leisure activities to help people stay active and connected. The use of technology (e.g., remote monitoring and care) has the potential to ease the pressure on health and social care providers who serve older adults. However, this use of technology, including AI, raises questions about equitable access and has ethical implications. Moreover, although there is a rapid development of innovative health technologies, acceptance among older adults (especially those with lower socioeconomic position or limited digital literacy skills) and implementation in daily life and organizations is challenging. These technologies are changing the landscape of health care and social work practices. Rapid development of AI will bring about new disciplines and career opportunities. This evolution calls for future-proofing our next generations of scholars and service providers. CONTENT The purpose of this symposium is to present and discuss perspectives and challenges in education and practice by interdisciplinary researchers with backgrounds in rehabilitation, engineering, public health, social work, and nursing from Canada and the Netherlands. These countries share demographic characteristics including the growing population of older adults and increasing gaps between the rich and poor. We will critically reflect on dimensions of the digital divide theory 1,2 to consider issues and new elements regarding responsive and accessible technology for older people, i.e. physical and material access, motivation, skills access and usage access. The symposium begins with a comparative analysis of the digital divide in remote and underserved communities in Canada and the Netherlands and explore strategies to address the divide (Morita, Bin Noon, Salim, Bults, den Ouden, van der Linden, Daum, Ross, Simard, Miguel Cruz, Liu). Next, we examine educational strategies that prepare health and social work professionals for technology-rich work environments using examples of successful curriculum innovation in the Netherlands and Canada (den Ouden, Tinga, Kloek, Morita, Rios Rincón, Groeneveld). The symposium concludes with an interactive workshop that explores ways to empower older adults and care partners in meaningful conversations regarding technology and their future of care (Groeneveld, Van Katwyk). CONCLUSION The symposium will provide participants with inspiration, reflection, insights and tools for the adoption and implementation of responsive and accessible health technologies for older adults using international perspectives.Keywords: Digital divide, underserved communities, health and social work education, ethics
M. Bults (the Netherlands), C. Daum (Canada) (Convenors), G. Bin Noon (Canada), M. Bults (the Netherlands), C. Daum (Canada), M.E.M. den Ouden (the Netherlands), S.W.M. Groeneveld (the Netherlands), G.C. Kloek (the Netherlands), D. van der Linden (the Netherlands), L. Liu (Canada), A. Miguel Cruz (Canada), P.P. Morita (Canada), A. Rios Rincón (Canada), H. Ross (Canada), S. Salim (Canada), A. Simard (Canada), A.M. Tinga (the Netherlands), T. Van Katwyk (Canada). These participants include members of Cross-Culturalresponsive and accessible Technologies for Societal impact (CCTS-network)(https://uwaterloo.ca/aging-innovation-research-program/cross-cultural-responsive-and-accessible-technologies). (2026). Digital divide theory: What is old is new again in an era of health technology and artificial intelligence. Gerontechnology, 25(s),1-1
https://doi.org/10.4017/gt.2026.25.2.1342.3