AI – What it can do for you Used wisely and it's a great aid but be aware of it's dangers

July 14, 2025

If you’re over 65 and want to get the most out of AI, the key is to see it not as a tech gimmick, but as a smart helper—like a personal assistant, tutor, or research partner. You don’t need to be “tech-savvy” to benefit. You just need to know what to ask. Here’s how to make it work for you:

1. Use It to Learn—Quickly and Clearly

AI can explain things in plain language, at your pace.

• Ask: “Explain a Digital Legacy like I’m 70 and new to this.”

• Or: “Give me a beginner’s guide to using Zoom.”

You can even say “make it simpler” or “give me a step-by-step version.”

 2. Get Help with Writing and Communication

AI can help you write emails, letters, or even speeches.

• Draft warm replies to family or formal letters to companies.

• Rewrite a message to sound more polite, assertive, or clear.

• Proofread and clean up anything you’ve written.

Example: “Write a thank-you email to my granddaughter for helping me move.”

3. Organize Your Time and Tasks

Use AI to create checklists, reminders, or schedules.

• “Make me a simple weekly meal plan for one person.”

• “Give me a daily to-do list for managing arthritis symptoms.”

 4. Turn Curiosity into Conversations

AI can be your go-to when you’re curious but don’t want to Google 15 things.

• “What’s the difference between ChatGPT and Siri?”

• “Who was Winston Churchill, and why was he important?”

• “Explain cryptocurrency in simple terms.”

It’s like having a patient tutor who never judges your questions.

5. Simplify Complex Information

If you’ve got medical paperwork, financial documents, or government forms, ask AI to:

• Summarize it.

• Explain jargon.

• Help draft a response.

Just copy the part you don’t understand and ask:
“Explain this section in plain English.”

6. Have Fun with It

AI isn’t all serious. Try:

• “Write a short story about a retired detective ”

• “Help me plan a birthday toast.”

• “Create a quiz about 1960s music.”

You can even use it to play word games, write poetry, or brainstorm travel ideas.

7. Know the Limits

AI can sound confident but still get things wrong. It’s smart, but not perfect. Use it for help, not decisions about money or health without double-checking with a pro.

Talk to It Like a Person

No tech jargon needed. Just say what you want like you’re talking to a helpful assistant.

• “Help me remember a list of medications.”

• “Give me five ideas for volunteering near me.”

• “What’s a good exercise routine for someone with bad knees?”

AI can help you stay sharp, save time, and do more with less hassle. It’s not about being a tech expert—it’s about knowing you’ve got back up whenever you need it. Like any powerful tool, it can cause problems if misused.

Dangers of AI

1. Fake Information (Deepfakes & Misinformation)

AI can create fake videos, photos, and even voices that look and sound real.

• You might see a video of someone saying something they never actually said.

• Scam messages can now sound like a real person.

There was an example recently where Jeremy Clarkson, being interviewed by Jonathan Ross on his popular TV show, was explaining how his investment was yielding incredible returns. It was promoting a cryptocurrency service based in South Africa. It was fake and so easy to believe. Read our article on The Latest Scams as they are becoming ever more sophisticated.

Why it matters to you: It’s easier than ever to get tricked by fake news, scams, or impersonation—especially online or over the phone.

2. Scams That Feel Personal

AI can copy a person’s voice or writing style.

• A scammer could send you an email or voicemail that sounds like it’s from your grandchild.

Why it matters to you: Trust your gut. If something feels off, double-check. Call the person directly, not the number or link in the message.

3. Loss of Privacy

AI tracks patterns. It can collect info about what you buy, read, search for—even your face in public places.

Why it matters to you: You might be giving up personal information without realising it. Always read privacy settings and be careful what you share online.

4. Fewer Human Jobs

AI is starting to replace workers in areas like customer service, retail, and even healthcare support.

Why it matters to you: Your children or grandchildren may face job changes—or need to retrain for new careers.

5. Built-In Bias

AI often repeats human bias found in its training data. For example:

• A hiring system might unfairly favour younger applicants.

• A medical AI might misread symptoms in people of colour.

Why it matters to you: We can’t assume AI is “fair” just because it’s a machine. It can make wrong or biased decisions.

6. Hard to Know Who’s in Charge

When AI makes a mistake (like denying a loan or giving bad advice), it’s unclear who’s responsible: the person, the company, or the software?

Why it matters to you: It may be harder to fight back if an AI system makes a decision that affects you unfairly.

What You Can Do

• Stay alert. Question messages that seem strange—even from someone you know.

• Don’t overshare online. Especially with personal photos, health info, or money details.

• Ask for human help. If you’re unsure, talk to a family member or friend before clicking or replying.

• Use AI for good. It can still be a great tool for learning, writing, or organizing—just stay in control.

AI is being used in ways we may not approve of such as weaponising, as exemplified in the Ukraine/Russia war. In the early days if you asked AI how to solve climate change, the answer was “Get rid of humans”

Whatever you might think of AI and the inherent dangers, it’s here to stay and likely to revolutionise life in the same way as the internet has. We’ve discovered the downside of the internet namely scamming and issues raised by social media, let’s hope the same doesn’t apply to AI, because if used correctly, it is a valuable and beneficial resource.

An example of good use of AI can be found if you read our post Learn How to Draw in which we asked AI for the guidelines.