Research on the effects of ageism towards older people, which spans various aspects of life including health, work, and participation, has been substantial. There is also an emerging field of study investigating 'digital ageism,' but no existing research attempts to link discussions around both the technological revolutions (as suggested by Perez) and the demographic revolution (proposed by Butler and others). This theoretical exploration delves into the potential relevance of a Critical Political Economy Approach to ageing. It introduces the concept of 'precarious ageing', which expands the idea of precariat to include household circumstances and the welfare state, and the increased threat posed by AI. This article discusses the segmentation of the life course as a significant characteristic of technological paradigms, particularly in relation to the influence of digital technologies and the rise of AI as a dominant force in mediating ageism. The proposition is that the segmentation of the life course is a key feature of technological paradigms and the additional years of life gained since the dawn of the industrial revolution represent a disruptive force with widespread repercussions. This paper also aims to raise both public and scientific awareness of the potential impact of new, open-ended forms of governance, which could harness this longevity dividend.

--

Ageing,precarious ageing,digital ageism