Exploring Older Adults' Reminiscing with ChatGPT and Text-to-Image Technology

As individuals enter their later years, they often reminisce about their past, which can significantly enhance their well-being. Current research on technology-mediated reminiscence in HCI tends to position older adults as passive subjects in reminiscence activities, with limited focus on their role as active narrators. In this study, we would to explore the potential of Generative AI, specifically through "generative dialogue" and "text-to-image" technologies, as a "listener" for older adults’ reminiscing storytelling. We conducted an experiment with seven older adults using ChatGPT to generate questions to elicit detailed narratives, and the stories were used to create corresponding images. We propose systematic influential factors and corresponding design guidelines tailored to the storytelling behaviors of older adults.