Seoul AI Foundation reports 43.2% of citizens have used AI, while senior usage remains stalled at 12.2%

The adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly spreading across Seoul, but a significant "digital divide" remains as the elderly population struggles to keep pace with the technological shift.

The Seoul AI Foundation released the results of the "2025 Seoul Citizens' Digital Literacy Survey" on Tuesday. The biennial study, which surveyed 5,500 citizens (including 2,500 seniors aged 55 and over), revealed that while overall digital literacy has improved since 2023, the gap in AI utilization between generations has widened significantly.

■ Explosive Growth in AI Usage
According to the report, 43.2% of Seoul citizens have experience using generative AI, a nearly three-fold increase from 15.4% recorded just two years ago. Usage is particularly high among younger demographics; the utilization rate for those under 55 stands at 63.9%.

In terms of paid services, 10.6% of respondents reported being paying users, with the 20s (23.8%) and 30s (20.1%) leading the trend. The primary purposes for using AI were identified as:

Information Search: 92.2%
Daily Conversation: 65.2%
Document Processing: 44.0%

■ Seniors Left Behind in the AI Era
Despite the general upward trend, the senior population (55+) showed a stark contrast, with only 12.2% having experience with generative AI. Furthermore, their digital literacy scores in "device utilization" and "service utilization" remained at only 64.2% and 64.9% of the average citizen’s level, respectively.

Psychological readiness also varies by age. While 65% of citizens under 55 feel prepared for the AI-driven future, only 19.6% of seniors shared that sentiment. Concerns regarding the expansion of AI were also three times higher among the elderly (30.1%) compared to younger generations (9.3%).

■ Toward an "AI City Seoul"
The survey did show a positive improvement in "Digital Information Understanding"—the ability to verify sources and judge the authenticity of information—which rose from 53.8 to 57.6 points. This suggests that citizens are becoming more discerning in the era of deepfakes and misinformation.

Kim Man-gi, Chairman of the Seoul AI Foundation, emphasized the need for targeted support. "AI has already entered the daily lives of our citizens, but an 'AI Divide' is emerging due to differences in individual capabilities," Kim stated. "Based on these results, we will strive to realize an 'AI City Seoul' where everyone can utilize AI to make their lives more convenient and efficient."

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]