By Alexandria (Lexi) Lutz, Founder, Opt-Inspire, Inc.

We often treat digital safety as a technical checklist: install the update, reset the password (check, check). But a heartbreaking story involving Apple’s 91-year-old co-founder has just proven that the stakes are far higher. We aren’t just protecting data anymore, we are protecting human dignity.

The Ronald Wayne Story

You may know Ronald Wayne as the third co-founder of Apple. At 91 years old, he is a living legend. But recently, even a man with his history became a target.

According to a new lawsuit, Mr. Wayne was approached by consultants promising to use “revolutionary AI” to preserve his legacy. They pitched him an avatar that would keep his voice and memories alive forever. It was a beautiful promise.

But the lawsuit alleges it was a lie.

The betrayal went deeper than bad code. The complaint states that while Mr. Wayne personally funded the consultants’ travel to chase promised investors and non-existent awards from the Mayor of New York, the consultants were quietly using his home address for their own business filings without permission.

Instead of a digital legacy, Mr. Wayne was left with empty demos while bad actors allegedly tried to obtain Power of Attorney over his life. They didn’t just target his wallet; they targeted his human desire to be remembered.

The “Digital Divide” is a Safety Gap

A lawyer commenting on the case said something that cuts to the core of our mission “The older generation doesn’t understand what the limits of AI are.”

That sentence is exactly why Opt-inspire exists.

We cannot expect an 91-year-old, or a 70-year-old, or even a busy parent, to inherently navigate the complexities of AI, NFTs, and deepfakes. When we leave people to figure this out alone, we leave them vulnerable.

Predators know that the “generational digital divide” is real. They use buzzwords like “AI” to confuse and exploit those who didn’t grow up with this technology.

This Is Why We Are Here

Our mission isn’t just to put safety tips on a website and hope people read them. That’s not enough.

• We meet people where they are. Whether it’s a senior center or a living room.
• We embed resources into communities. We bring legal, tech, and privacy pros directly to the families who need them.
• We close the gap. One conversation, one device, one life at a time.

If Mr. Wayne had a community of digital advocates around him, people who could look at that contract and say, “Wait a second…” this might have ended differently.

A Call to Action

Let this story be a reminder of why we mobilize. We are reimagining safety education to ensure that seniors and families are empowered, confident, and connected – not exploited.

If you have a loved one who is excited about a new piece of tech that seems “too good to be true,” sit down with them. Be that bridge.

We are building a world where innovation uplifts everyone, no matter their age.