Creating Intergenerational Communities Through Tech and AI
On December 16th, 2025, R.O.S.A. offered a unique intergenerational workshop hosted at the CAT – Centro Anziani Trastevere, in the heart of Rome. From 9:30 to 12:30, eleven participants aged between 66 and 86 came together with three volunteers from Ericsson Italia to explore how technology and artificial intelligence can become tools for memory, storytelling, and human connection.
The event was designed by Mariarosy Calleri, the President of the organization, as a cultural and educational encounter rooted in R.O.S.A.’s belief that intergenerational dialogue and knowledge sharing are essential to fostering compassion, diversity, and inclusivity in our global digital society. As Calleri explained, the purpose of this workshop is to empower senior citizens to transform their memories, experiences, and dreams into short illustrated stories using basic technology like a smart phone paired with a free AI application.
A Meeting Between Generations
The morning began with a presentation of the activity and an introduction among participants and volunteers. Seniors and volunteers shared their names, backgrounds, and expectations, creating an atmosphere of trust and curiosity from the very beginning.
From Voice to Memory, From Memory to Story
Participants were introduced to a free Speech-to-Text application, learning how oral narration can be instantly transformed into written text. Each senior citizen was invited to choose a personal or historical memory, a story about their family, their neighborhood, their city, a significant life moment, or even a dream.
Speaking into the microphone, their voices were transcribed in real time, turning lived experience into written words. What for many had always existed only in memory suddenly took a tangible form.
The group then split into five small teams, each guided by a volunteer and supervised by the President of R.O.S.A. This structure allowed for close support, dialogue, and collaboration, ensuring that every participant felt accompanied throughout the process.
Artificial Intelligence as a Creative Ally
With the help of the IT volunteers, participants copied their transcribed stories into an AI platform such as ChatGPT or DeepSeek. Together, they crafted prompts defining the style, tone, and narrative structure of their stories. Artificial intelligence was not used as a replacement for creativity, but as a tool to enhance expression, helping participants shape their memories into a coherent, one-page illustrated short story.
For many participants, this was their first direct interaction with AI. Yet, the technology quickly became approachable, understandable, and even playful, acting as a bridge rather than a barrier.
Stories That Will Live On
By the end of the workshop, the groups presented their stories to one another. Eleven short illustrated stories were created, fragments of everyday life, personal history, emotions, and dreams. For one day, ordinary people experienced the joy of becoming writers, storytellers, and creators.
These stories are more than texts. They are legacy pieces, memories preserved for grandchildren, families, and the wider world.
As one participant reflected, the experience offered something rare: the feeling that one’s life story matters and deserves to be remembered.
A small step towards immortality.
Collaboration and Gratitude
This initiative was made possible thanks to the collaboration between R.O.S.A., Benevity and the volunteers from Ericsson Italia, whose engagement, sensitivity, and technical support were fundamental for the success of the activity.
Special thanks to Paola Vetrugno, Giuseppe De Lucia, Francesco Peluso, and Camilla Jarvall for their contribution to building meaningful intergenerational bridges through technology.
#PaolaVetrugno #GiuseppeDeLucia #FrancescoPeluso #CamillaJarvall
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R.O.S.A. continues to deliver free educational and digital literacy initiatives across different communities, promoting inclusion, lifelong learning and social innovation. Through projects that connect generations and cultures, we work to build a more compassionate, diverse and digitally empowered society.
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