2024 OMEGA Summit Fosters New Ideas for Intergenerational Programming
by Niels Wu
The AgeLab held its 8th annual OMEGA summit on October 26th. OMEGA (Opportunities for Multigenerational Exchange, Growth and Action) is the AgeLab’s outreach initiative to help young people cultivate thriving intergenerational connections within their communities. The annual summit is attended by high schoolers who are interested in intergenerational programs and careers in aging, as well as older adults, educators, and professionals in the aging field.
Facilitated by AgeLab researchers Taylor Patskanick, Lauren Cerino, and Katie Warren, this year’s summit began with a ceremony recognizing the winners of the 2024 OMEGA scholarship, designed to support teens’ efforts to build initiatives, programs, and organizations that facilitate multigenerational activities and connections. The ceremony was followed by a panel discussion exploring the scholarship winners’ motivations for, challenges to, and outcomes of designing and executing successful intergenerational programs.
This year’s scholarship recipients were Aaron Smolyar of Fort Myers, FL; Avery Liddicoat of Kewaskum, WI; Charlie Martin of Bethesda, MD; Claire Jiang of Atlanta, GA; and Mirei Saneyoshi of Lexington, MA. Read more about the winners and their initiatives here.
The rest of the summit focused on the potential use of AI to support intergenerational connections. AgeLab Research Associate Adam Felts gave a presentation that provided a brief overview of what defines “AI” today and some of its applications. This section transitioned into a presentation and Q&A featuring high school student Advik Atyam of Fairfax, VA. Atyam is the founder of ScamCops, a program designed by teens to provide older adults with tools to avoid online scams, including an AI chatbot that can help identify scam risks.
Lastly, attendees participated in a group brainstorming session during which participants imagined ways AI could bolster intergenerational programs. Ideas raised by the group include using AI to manage program logistics, overcome language barriers, and preserve oral histories. Participants felt that these AI applications could lead to clearer communication and understanding between age groups and allow more energy to be invested in making social connections as AI supports with clerical and administrative tasks.
Learn more about OMEGA and stay informed about upcoming events here.
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