The effectiveness of voice assistants in bridging the digital literacy gap: A study among older adults in Karnataka

With the increasing ubiquity of digital technology, numerous obstacles emerge from insufficient digital literacy, impeding individuals' ability to effectively utilize digital services. This research focuses on how voice assistants, to interpret spoken commands, can enhance digital accessibility for this demographic. The study includes quantitative analyses from a survey of 69 individuals with limited technological knowledge who use these technologies, gathering insights into their experiences voice assistants. These findings suggest that voice assistants can reduce the digital literacy gap among digitally illiterate individuals in Karnataka. By promoting digital inclusivity and enhancing quality of life, voice assistants offer a potential solution to challenges faced by this demographic. The research reveals varying levels of awareness and usage of voice assistants among Gen X and baby boomer participants. While smartphone ownership is high, daily internet use is lower. Many participants are unaware of voice assistants, and only a fraction uses them regularly. Those who do use voice assistants primarily for searching information and watching videos. Challenges include difficulty understanding responses, local accents, privacy concerns, and limited local language functionality. Despite these challenges, many participants believe voice assistants help bridge the digital literacy gap. However, many are hesitant to recommend them, highlighting a need for improved accuracy, local language support, and enhanced privacy features to boost acceptance among older adults. This study contributes to understanding how NLP technologies can facilitate digital literacy and provides insights for developing strategies to leverage voice assistants in promoting digital inclusivity in Karnataka.