Have you ever logged in to watch something on Netflix and it recommended a show that seems perfect for you? Or mentioned a product in a message to a friend and immediately seen an ad for that item on social media? Those are examples of AI, automation and machine learning at work.
But artificial intelligence isn't limited to marketing and entertainment. Older adults can put these technologies to work in their own lives to help drive efficiencies, better enjoy their days and support organization or other goals. Here are three AI technologies to consider using.
ChatGPT is a computer program created by a company called OpenAI. It's based on technologies designed to help computer programs master natural language processes so they can respond to questions with human-sounding answers. ChatGPT is designed to quickly analyze massive amounts of data — often taken from the internet — to provide relevant information to users.
You enter a prompt, which might be a question or topic, and ChatGPT returns a response. Some examples of prompts you can try include:
ChatGPT works on computers, mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones and the Apple Watch. You may need to download or install an app to use it on some devices.
It's important to remember that ChatGPT isn't a person. It's a computer program that's been programmed to search through existing data to create an answer for you. Because of this, it can provide incorrect information. Avoid relying on ChatGPT for answers to serious medical, legal and financial questions.
However, ChatGPT can be fun and interesting to experiment with. As long as you know you may need to fact-check it on very specific facts, you can explore a variety of topics and learn new things by talking to it. It can be a great tool for generating new ideas for your hobbies or simply acting as a sounding board if you feel you need to talk something out.
The Magic ToDo list from Goblin Tools is a project management tool that helps you break down larger projects or efforts into smaller tasks. You don't even have to know all the tasks you need to do to complete a bigger project — the tool will help you figure them out.
Simply type in a goal and click the magic list-generating button and you'll get a list of tasks you need to accomplish. For example, if you type "Move into assisted living" and generate a list, Goblin Tools provides steps such as:
The list is much more extensive, and you can edit it to meet your needs.
You can use Goblin Tools in your browser on a computer or mobile device.
One of the best things about Goblin Tools is that you can get help breaking down the to-do list further. For example, in the above example, the tool provided "Ask questions about amenities, staff and community activities" as a step. By clicking the magic list-generating button for that sub-task, you can get a list of specific items to ask about, such as amenities, staff qualifications, staff-to-resident ratio, assistance levels and community activities. Goblin Tools is a great technical AI tool for those who want to approach different hobbies and tasks in an organized manner.
These are voice assistants that operate similarly to ChatGPT and can be programmed to control other smart devices, including thermostats, speakers and televisions.
You can use voice assistants that are built into your computer, smartphone or tablet. You can also purchase a device such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home to act as a voice assistant.
Set up your virtual assistant so you can play music on command or operate lights or other components of your house. You can also ask your assistant for recommendations, such as where the best burgers are near the Broadmoor Court assisted living community in Colorado Springs, CO.
