Reimagining work in ageing societies: AI-enabled reskilling and the power of future work identities

With an ageing population and fast development of AI, the labour force is drastically changing, which presents a need to understand how older adults experience and respond to technologically evolving work environments. Based on Possible Selves Theory, this research investigates how older adults understand the function of AI-enabled digital reskilling to inform future workforce possible selves and continued participation in employment in later life. Data were collected from 51 older adults via the Prolific Academic platform and were analysed using the Gioia methodology. Findings revealed that older adults view AI-enabled digital reskilling as a significant pathway to help them create their future workforce possible selves, which acts as an important motivation for continued participation in the workforce. Additionally, older adults evaluate their future working identities in terms of their expected ability, the likelihood of success, their skill sets, confidence, labour market opportunities, and age-related constraints. Thus, this study extends Possible Selves Theory by demonstrating how AI-enabled digital reskilling shapes future work identities and supports workforce adaptation in later life. The findings further suggest that organizations, policymakers, and digital platform designers should invest in accessible AI-enabled digital reskilling initiatives that foster workforce participation and promote inclusive ageing in the digital economy.