IEEE Future Directions, in collaboration with IEEE Societies, Councils, and Units, incubates emerging technologies and new applications. The IEEE AgeTech Initiative aims to connect researchers, technologists, end users, and advocates, fostering a community dedicated to designing, developing, and deploying AgeTech solutions that address real needs.
The term AgeTech refers to digital technologies and innovations tailored to the needs, wants, and challenges of the aging population. It focuses on enhancing quality of life, independence, and safety for older adults—typically those over 50—while supporting caregivers, covering areas like smart homes, health monitoring, and social connectivity.
People over the age of 50 in the U.S. currently generate $8.3 trillion in economic activity annually. This number will grow to $28.2 trillion by 2050. The 50+ population, often called the “longevity economy,” represents a massive, growing market, with many adults now prioritizing technology for health and independence.
What’s Next
IEEE AgeTech brings together expertise from across IEEE’s technical communities and fosters global collaboration—working with universities, startups, companies, non-profit organizations, and government agencies. This emphasis on innovation and partnership aims to accelerate the development of impactful AgeTech solutions that improve lives worldwide.
The IEEE AgeTech initiative aims to:
- Stimulate innovation in technology solutions that improve both the effectiveness and adoption of AgeTech.
- Develop resources, frameworks, and tools that support aging-responsive and accessible design of products and services.
- Increase the availability, usability, and quality of aging- and accessibility-related datasets to advance research, development, and standards activities in AgeTech.
IEEE AgeTech collaborates internationally with organizations within and outside IEEE. In addition to the IEEE Life Members, the IEEE AgeTech activity collaborates with participants from at least 27 countries and approximately 20 IEEE Technical Societies and Councils.
