Poland’s The Best Age Foundation is helping organisations prepare for longer working lives and an increasingly digital economy. Its project, “The Power of Experience in the AI Era: Preparing Society for Longevity,” won the Education, Research & Ageing Awareness category at the 2026 SilverEco & Ageing Well International Awards in Cannes.
As artificial intelligence reshapes the workplace, how can employers ensure that experienced workers remain included, valued and able to develop new skills? This question sits at the heart of The Best Age Foundation’s work.
The Polish initiative brings together research, education and cross-sector collaboration to address demographic change, challenge age stereotypes and support lifelong learning. Its approach connects the longevity agenda with practical questions about recruitment, professional development and cooperation between generations.
Research challenging assumptions about older workers
A central component of the award-winning project is the report “The Power of Experience in the AI Era: How to Harness the Potential of Mature Workers.” According to project partner Arteria CX, its research combines a survey of more than 4,000 respondents, an analysis of 50 ESG reports and interviews with 14 experts.
The findings published by the foundation highlight a gap between workplace stereotypes and employees’ reported experiences. Forty per cent of respondents said they had experienced age discrimination during recruitment. Meanwhile, 49% reported seeing no employer initiatives supporting cooperation between generations, and almost half felt that their managers were unprepared to lead multigenerational teams.
The report also examines assumptions about learning and technology. While stereotypes about workers aged 50 and over remain widespread, the foundation’s findings point to a strong willingness to acquire new skills. These survey results offer a basis for questioning how organisations assess potential and distribute development opportunities.
Turning awareness into workplace change
Beyond research, The Best Age supports employers in building age-inclusive organisational cultures. Its services include organisational assessments, leadership development, strategic workshops and support for mentoring and reskilling programmes.
The foundation structures this work around its 3M Framework™, covering three dimensions: Mindset, addressing beliefs and organisational culture; Management, focusing on leadership decisions and behaviours; and Mechanisms, examining organisational processes.
This approach encourages employers to consider how everyday practices—from recruitment to training—can enable people of different ages to contribute and develop throughout their careers.
International recognition in Cannes
The foundation’s work received international recognition at the 2026 SilverEco & Ageing Well International Awards, where it won the Education, Research & Ageing Awareness category.
The distinction highlights the relevance of preparing workplaces for demographic change alongside technological transformation. Through its focus on experience, inclusion and continued learning, The Best Age brings the future of work into the wider discussion about ageing well.
Published by the Editorial Staff on