A Guide to AI

About Nicole Pajer

Nicole Pajer is a Los Angeles-based freelance published in The New York Times, Woman's Day, AARP, Parade, Wired, Glamour, People and more.

senior man on the phone looking at laptop

Chances are, you’ve heard about artificial intelligence (AI). You can’t turn on the television or read the news these days without hearing all about it. From robo-taxis that drive themselves to people sharing their latest ChatGPT searches, it seems to be on the top of everyone’s minds. But if you’re unfamiliar with the concept, that’s okay. It’s still relatively new in the mainstream world.

While AI can sound overwhelming for the non-tech-savvy, it’s a tool that people of all ages and backgrounds can use. It can help you stay connected, manage your health and even enjoy new hobbies safely. We’re going to break down the basics—the benefits and things to watch out for—in this guide.

Let’s start with the basics: what exactly is AI?

AI refers to computer systems that can perform complex tasks that are normally done by humans through decision making, creating, etc. That’s a fancy way of saying that it’s a tool that has all sorts of ways in which it can help humans perform tasks.

“AI can answer questions, help write emails, papers and other documents, make predictions and even help power self-driving cars,” says Diana Babaeva, Founder & CEO of a AI startup Twistly. But not all AI works the same way.

Generative AI—like ChatGPT or DALL·E—can create things from scratch, such as writing, images or even computer code.
Then there's predictive AI, which guesses what might happen next, like spam filters in your email or tools that help businesses predict sales.
And recommendation AI is behind the suggestions you get on Netflix or Amazon.

“Knowing the type of AI you're using helps you understand what it’s good for—and what it’s not,” says Babaeva.

How to use it

Lots of businesses are using AI to help them become more efficient, but artificial intelligence is not limited to the corporate world. “I have seen older people use AI for composing letters, organizing family events and planning grocery lists through voice commands or smart assistants,” says Babaeva. She says to tip toe in and try not to get too overwhelmed, as it’s a learning curve. “The idea to keep in mind would be to think of AI as being a helping hand in a person's life rather than something to be figured out at once,” Babaeva adds.

Different types of AI to know about

Here are a few ways in which you can use AI in your everyday life.

Virtual Assistants (Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant): “Most people picture AI as something complicated, but for seniors, it can feel more like a helpful assistant working quietly in the background,” says Siyar Isik, a Delaware-based AI engineer, software developer and the Founder & CEO of AI speech-to-text company Transkriptor. Voice assistants, he says, are a good starting point. Devices like Alexa or Google Assistant let you call family, set reminders, or ask questions without fiddling with buttons or menus.
AI wearables: AI-powered wearables can help monitor aspects of your health and send alerts if something is off, giving peace of mind without needing to constantly check in with someone. This includes everything from continuous glucose monitors to smart watches with fall notifications.
Generative AI platforms (like ChatGPT): “You can utilize generative AI platforms for all kinds of different tasks – from generating text, to conducting online searches, to helping plan travel and more,” says Edward Tian, CEO, GPTZero.

Think of this as a more in depth Google. For instance, you can ask for help finding a new dishwasher to fit your kitchen’s measurements, advice on how to have a hard conversation with a family member or recommendations for good brunch spots to meet a friend that’s near the local gym you both workout at.

Chatbots: They are there to answer straightforward questions and direct users through processes. Examples of these, says Babeva, are customer service pop-ups on websites. “You might also find that more and more companies are starting to incorporate AI chatbots into their websites and customer service, which you can use to help with your online shopping,” says Tian.
AI companions/social robots: Voice activated robots like ElliQ or Joy for All provide companionship, reminders and cognitive engagement. And they can even come in the form of an AI pet, like a dog, cat or bird. These AI companions can be especially useful for seniors living alone or in memory care.
Smart home technologies: Many products are now being sold to help seniors feel safer in their homes. This includes AI-powered motion detectors. You can even get AI powered blinds, locks and thermostats that learn their users’ preferences and adjust accordingly to help keep the home safe and cozy.

What to avoid

AI can be a great tool to save time and spark creativity, but it does have some downsides. Thus, there are some caveats to using it.

Double check important information: “You shouldn’t count on it for serious stuff like legal advice, money planning or personal counseling—it’s just not made for that,” says Steve Roop, AI and content director at Littlefield Agency. He also stresses the importance of knowing that sometimes, AI can give wrong answers that sound totally right, which he playfully refers to as an “AI hallucination” or it might show bias or irrelevant content without realizing it. Thus, it’s important to double check any information your receive when using AI.

Don’t fall for AI scams: There are also safety concerns to keep in mind. Most importantly, be careful not to share private or sensitive info, because you don’t always know where that data ends up.

One to look out for is Wyatt Mayham, CEO & cofounder of Northwest AI Consulting, referred to as “the Grandparent Scam on Steroids.” “The most significant threat is AI-powered voice cloning,” he says. “Scammers can take a few seconds of audio from a grandchild's social media video and clone their voice to create a convincing, frantic phone call requesting emergency money.” This preys directly on instinct and erodes the trust we place in a familiar voice.

Another issue with AI is that it’s opened the floodgates for more hyper-personalized phishing. “Forget emails with bad grammar. Generative AI can draft flawless, highly personalized scam emails that reference specific hobbies, recent purchases or family members' names scraped from online sources, making them nearly indistinguishable from legitimate requests from a bank or doctor's office,” says Mayhem. Don’t give out personal information over the phone, through random text messages or via emails, as this can be a phishing attempt.

Here’s a great way to get started with AI:

Start with one device, like a voice assistant, before trying multiple AI tools.
Before getting started with an AI app or smart assistant, set up privacy and safety settings.
Use AI for everyday convenience. Have it remind you to complete certain chores, provide recipe ideas, prepare shopping lists for you or give you directions.
Combine AI with social interaction. Use it to plan video calls with family or as a way to learn a hobby online.
Verify critical information. As AI can sometimes be inaccurate, it’s important to always double-check health, legal or financial advice with trusted sources.
Keep apps and devices updated for security and improved AI performance.

Like with anything, practice makes perfect, or at least less room for error. Trying out different apps and devices that utilize AI is a great way to get started. Over time, you may find it has made many of your day-to-day tasks easier than ever before.