Digitally fit and ready: How senior talents use ChatGPT in their day-to-day work

"Senior citizens and technology - they don't go together." This statement is still heard far too often in Swiss companies. But the reality is completely different. While younger colleagues are still hesitant to integrate artificial intelligence into their day-to-day work, experienced professionals over 50 are already using tools like ChatGPT as a matter of course to increase their productivity and develop innovative solutions.

The integration of ChatGPT into everyday working life impressively demonstrates that senior talents not only have decades of professional experience, but are also digitally savvy. This combination of experience and technological open-mindedness makes them valuable employees that companies urgently need - especially in times of skills shortages.

Technological sovereignty dispels prejudices

Peter Müller, a 58-year-old project manager from Basel, uses ChatGPT every day for his project planning. "I have complex schedules structured and various scenarios calculated," he explains. "The AI helps me to identify risks at an early stage and develop alternative solutions." What Peter particularly appreciates is that the combination of his many years of experience with the analytical capabilities of artificial intelligence leads to better project results.

This technological sovereignty is not an isolated case. Many senior talents have realized that ChatGPT does not replace their work, but supports them in using their expertise even more effectively. They use AI as an intelligent assistant that relieves them of time-consuming routine tasks and gives them more room for strategic decisions.

The way experienced professionals use ChatGPT is particularly impressive. While younger employees often make superficial requests, senior talents formulate precise, well thought-out prompts. They know exactly what information they need and how to make the best use of AI. This expertise in dealing with artificial intelligence does not develop overnight - it is based on years of experience in problem solving and strategic thinking.

The idea that older employees are averse to technological innovations is proving to be a persistent myth. In fact, senior talents often show an astonishing openness towards new technologies if they offer real added value for their work. They evaluate tools not according to the latest trend, but according to their practical usefulness - an approach that leads to sustainable and effective solutions.

Practical use cases from everyday working life in Switzerland

Maria Zimmermann, a 62-year-old sales employee from Zurich, is revolutionizing her customer communication with ChatGPT. "I use AI to create personalized offers and explain complex technical issues in a customer-friendly way," she reports. "My closing rate has improved by 30 percent as a result." Maria combines her decades of experience in dealing with customers with the linguistic capabilities of ChatGPT - a combination that inspires both customers and employers.

In the accounting department, Hans Weber, a 60-year-old accountant from Bern, uses ChatGPT to analyze complex financial reports. "The AI helps me to recognize patterns in the data and formulate recommendations for the management," he explains. "It used to take me days to do a comprehensive analysis, but now I can do it in just a few hours." Hans uses his many years of experience to critically evaluate the results of the AI and put them into the right context.

Ruth Meier, a 65-year-old retired teacher who works part-time at a training institute, provides a particularly innovative example. She uses ChatGPT to develop interactive learning materials and to create exam questions. "The AI generates creative ideas, which I then refine with my teaching experience," she says. "The result is learning materials that are both innovative and practical."

These examples show that senior talents do not blindly trust ChatGPT, but use AI as a tool to expand their expertise. They intuitively understand where the strengths and limitations of artificial intelligence lie and use it specifically where it brings the greatest benefit.

The way in which experienced professionals use ChatGPT for knowledge transfer is particularly valuable. They use AI to structure complex issues and translate their knowledge into understandable formats. This enables them to pass on the expertise they have acquired over decades to younger colleagues more effectively - an invaluable contribution to knowledge retention in companies.

Digital competence as a bridge between the generations

The use of ChatGPT by senior talent not only demonstrates their adaptability, but also reinforces their position as valuable knowledge brokers within the organization. When a 60-year-old engineer uses ChatGPT to create technical documentation or a 55-year-old marketing manager uses AI for campaign planning, it shows younger colleagues that technology is a tool that enhances experience rather than replacing it.

This digital expertise makes senior talents ideal mentors in the digital transformation. They can not only impart technical knowledge to younger employees, but also show them how to use new technologies responsibly and effectively. Their approach is often more thoughtful and strategic than that of digital natives, who may be tech-savvy but sometimes overlook the practical implications of new tools.

An architect from Lausanne, who is about to retire, uses ChatGPT to optimize construction plans and estimate costs, for example. "The AI suggests alternative solutions, which I evaluate using my 35 years of experience," he explains. "This results in innovative projects that are both technically feasible and economically viable." His younger colleagues learn from this approach and adopt his methodical approach.

This bridging function between analog experience and digital innovation is particularly valuable at a time when companies need both technological expertise and proven business practices. Senior talents using ChatGPT show that both are possible - and that experience and innovation can reinforce each other.

Increased efficiency through the perfect combination

Employers who recognize the potential of digital-savvy senior talent benefit from a unique combination of experience and technological skill. These employees not only use ChatGPT for simple tasks, but also use AI strategically to optimize complex business processes.

One example of this is a 57-year-old purchasing manager from St. Gallen, who uses ChatGPT for supplier analyses and contract negotiations. "The AI helps me to analyze market trends and develop negotiation strategies," he reports. "At the same time, I use my long-standing business relationships to negotiate the best deals." This combination leads to cost savings of up to 15 percent while improving delivery quality.

Work efficiency increases particularly where senior talents use ChatGPT for administrative tasks. A 59-year-old HR manager from Lucerne uses the AI to create job advertisements and pre-select applicants. "ChatGPT helps me to apply objective criteria and avoid prejudices," she explains. "My experience in dealing with people complements the analytical skills of the AI perfectly."

The innovative power that arises when senior talents use ChatGPT for creative tasks is particularly impressive. A 63-year-old product developer from Winterthur uses AI to generate new product ideas and evaluate market potential. "AI gives me ideas that I would never have thought of," he says. "But it's my experience that turns these ideas into marketable products."

These examples show that senior talents do not see ChatGPT as a substitute for human expertise, but as an amplifier of their skills. They use AI to increase their productivity without neglecting the human aspects of their work. This balanced approach leads to sustainable improvements in companies.

Further training and adaptability as key skills

The fact that senior talents successfully integrate ChatGPT into their daily work routine disproves another preconception: that older employees are less willing to learn. In fact, they often show remarkable motivation to acquire new skills - especially if these improve their work. According to the UNECE (2023), although only around 25 percent of people between 55 and 64 take part in vocational training, those who do continue their education often do so very purposefully and successfully.

The adaptability of senior talents in dealing with ChatGPT is particularly remarkable because they often learn without formal training. They experiment, test different approaches and develop their own strategies for dealing with AI. This independent approach not only demonstrates technical expertise, but also the ability to learn throughout their lives.

A 54-year-old quality manager from Aarau, for example, taught himself how to use ChatGPT to analyze quality data. "I tried out various prompts and learned how best to use the AI for my purposes," he explains. "Today, I create reports in a few minutes that used to take me hours." His colleagues are impressed by this initiative and have started to learn from him.

This willingness to learn is not only valuable for the individuals themselves, but also for their employers. Companies that support senior talent in the use of new technologies benefit from their experience and prudence during implementation. They do not introduce new tools hastily, but test them thoroughly and develop best practices.

Health and well-being through technological support

An often overlooked aspect of ChatGPT use by senior talent is the positive impact on their wellbeing in the workplace. The OECD (2020) emphasizes that good working conditions promote both the subjective well-being and the objective health of older employees. ChatGPT contributes to this by simplifying stressful and time-consuming tasks.

A 58-year-old project manager from Geneva reports: "Since I've been using ChatGPT to create minutes and schedule appointments, I have less stress and more time for the really important tasks." This relief has a positive effect on her health and allows her to stay productive for longer.

The majority of the extra years of life today are spent in good health, as the OECD (2020) states. Senior Talents using ChatGPT can use these healthy years even more productively because AI helps them focus their energy on the tasks that require their experience and judgment.

It is particularly important that senior talents not only work longer, but also work more happily. As JOIN (2023) reports, older employees strive above all for appreciation. The successful use of ChatGPT gives them this appreciation because they can show that they are not only experienced, but also innovative.

Flexible working models enable optimal use of AI

The combination of ChatGPT use and flexible working models proves to be particularly successful for senior talent. Right Management (2023) rates flexible part-time models and job-sharing concepts as particularly successful for older employees. ChatGPT reinforces these advantages because it can be used regardless of location and keeps productivity high even with reduced working hours.

A 61-year-old consultant from Bern now only works three days a week, but uses ChatGPT to maximize his efficiency. "The AI helps me to achieve more in less time," he explains. "I can offer my customers the same quality, but have more time for my family." This work-life balance makes him a valuable employee who wants to stay with the company for the long term.

Such examples show that digitalization does not necessarily have to lead to more working hours. On the contrary: senior talents often use ChatGPT to organize their working hours more efficiently and thus achieve a better work-life balance. This is particularly important as, according to Deloitte (2019), around 20 percent of older employees in Switzerland state that health issues could prevent them from continuing to work.

Future prospects for digital-savvy senior talents

The development clearly shows that senior talents who have mastered ChatGPT and other AI tools will be even more in demand in the future. Their combination of experience, prudence and technological expertise makes them ideal employees for companies that need both innovation and stability.

Swiss Life (2021) notes that only 1 percent of new hires in 2019 were aged 65 or older. This figure will have to change drastically in the coming years as the skills shortage forces companies to utilize all available talent. Senior talents who already use ChatGPT today will have a decisive advantage.

The future does not belong to either artificial intelligence or human experience, but to the intelligent combination of both. Senior talents who have already mastered this combination today show the way to a working world in which age and experience are not seen as obstacles, but as valuable resources.

Conclusion: The future of work is intergenerational

The use of ChatGPT by senior talents impressively proves that the future of work will not be shaped by a single generation, but by intelligent collaboration between all age groups. Older employees who use AI tools can make a significant contribution to the digitalization of processes and at the same time contribute their valuable experience.

It is therefore high time for employers to recognize and promote these skills. Senior talents who use ChatGPT are not only more productive, but also more motivated and satisfied. They show younger colleagues how to use technology responsibly and make a significant contribution to the success of the company.

The message is clear: the potential of senior talent is far from exhausted. Companies that focus on this combination of experience and digital expertise at an early stage will have a decisive competitive advantage.