Master AI now so I can step away later.

That approach drives many Gen Xers and Baby Boomers who are picking up artificial intelligence skills to stay employed until retirement arrives. BI reporter Amanda Hoover interviewed older Americans racing through an AI crash course to extend their working years.

Younger people often stress over employment for decades ahead, yet older adults face tighter schedules. They simply need to hold on a bit longer before exiting the workforce.

Their extensive experience gives them an edge during the current AI surge. Decades on the job provide deep knowledge that helps train emerging AI systems.

They also feel less anxiety about automation replacing them, since many plan to leave their roles soon anyway if finances allow.

Some remain hesitant due to ethical concerns, such as the technology's environmental impact. A 47-year-old legal sales professional shared her reservations with Hoover yet recognized the need to adapt until retirement in a few years.

"Most corporate workers aim to reach financial stability," she noted. "You never know when your opportunity ends."

Kymm Dracup understands sudden job loss firsthand.

After 22 months without work, she secured a short-term consulting role recently. Without prospects for permanent positions, uncertainty lingers. She described her situation to BI's Tess Martinelli for the new Still in the Game series on older adults seeking employment.

At 56, she reports that age has shaken her confidence during applications and may hinder her search, though proving it proves difficult.

After losing her home, she now lives with her daughter, reflecting a growing trend of multigenerational homes amid economic strain.

Her experience highlights why many older Americans cannot risk lagging in AI knowledge. Extended lifespans, disappearing pensions, and higher medical expenses have raised retirement costs, leaving little room for mistakes.