My Technology Journey: Never Too Late to Learn

An older person using futuristic technology

A Surprising Discovery at 50+

For years, I thought I understood technology. After all, I'd worked alongside programmers, written use cases, tested applications, and served as a subject matter expert helping train others on new systems. I felt fairly confident in my technical knowledge.

Then ChatGPT arrived, and I realized something humbling: I barely understood the surface of what technology could do.

Like many people, I'd heard the buzz about AI—the excitement, the concerns, the stories about both its promise and its risks. Some stories were troubling, like reports of AI being misused in mental health settings with serious consequences. These concerns are valid and important. But I've also discovered that when used thoughtfully and carefully, AI can be remarkably helpful in everyday life.

Opening My Eyes: Writing with AI

A few months ago, I enrolled in a university course called "Writing with AI." It transformed my understanding completely. The course introduced me to technologies I never knew existed, and I started experimenting with them immediately.

One of my first experiments was simple but eye-opening: I asked the AI to analyze my writing style. The insights it provided were astonishing—it identified patterns, strengths, and areas for improvement that I'd never noticed after decades of writing.

Growing up in the 1970s and 80s, I never imagined technology like this would exist. Back then, research meant encyclopedias and library cards. Writing assistance meant a dictionary and maybe a thesaurus. The tools we have today would have seemed like pure science fiction.

I'll admit something: at first, using AI for coursework felt like cheating. Even though the course required it, there was this nagging feeling that I wasn't doing the "real work." But as I learned more, I realized this technology isn't about taking shortcuts—it's about working smarter and extending what we can accomplish.

Practical Uses I've Discovered

As I've gotten older, I've found AI incredibly practical for everyday tasks:

• Trip Planning: Instead of spending hours researching destinations, accommodations, and itineraries, AI can create detailed travel plans in minutes

• Meal Planning: Getting help with weekly menus, recipes, and even grocery lists based on dietary preferences

• Health Information: Quickly finding basic health information (though I always verify with healthcare professionals)

• Learning New Skills: Getting explanations and tutorials on topics I'm curious about

I'm certain I've only scratched the surface. There's so much more to explore, and I'd love to hear what others have discovered.

Important Privacy Considerations

Before we discuss AI's limitations, there's something crucial you need to know about how these tools work. Many AI applications are learning software, which means they use the information you provide to improve and train themselves. Think of it like this: when you type something into an AI tool, you might be teaching it—and that information could potentially become part of what it shares with other users in the future.

This is why you should never include personal information when using AI. Don't enter your full name, address, phone number, social security number, credit card details, medical records, or any other private information about yourself or others. Once you put that information into an AI system, you've essentially released it onto the web where others might access or use it. Treat AI tools like you would a public forum—only share what you'd be comfortable with strangers knowing.

A Word of Caution: Understanding Hallucinations

Here's something critical everyone needs to know: AI can produce what experts call "hallucinations."

What are AI hallucinations? Think of them as confident mistakes. Sometimes AI generates information that sounds completely believable but is actually incorrect or made up. It's like talking to someone who seems very sure of their facts, but is actually wrong without realizing it. The AI doesn't intend to mislead you—it simply creates responses based on patterns in its training data, and sometimes those patterns lead to false information.

This is why I'm extremely careful with any information AI provides. I always ask for sources and verify important facts independently. You can never be too cautious—after all, the AI might have learned from someone else's incorrect input.

Top 10 AI Tools Worth Exploring

Based on current information and user reviews, here are ten popular AI tools and their practical applications. I've included website links so you can verify these for yourself:

1. ChatGPT (https://chat.openai.com)

• What it does: An AI assistant that can have conversations, answer questions, help with writing, and assist with various tasks

• Best for: General writing help, brainstorming ideas, explaining concepts, drafting emails, and learning new topics

• Example use: Ask it to help you write a professional email or explain a complicated concept in simple terms

2. Claude (https://claude.ai)

• What it does: An AI assistant similar to ChatGPT, known for having thoughtful, detailed conversations

• Best for: Research, document analysis, writing longer content, and working through complex problems

• Example use: Upload a long document and ask for a summary of the key points

3. Perplexity AI (https://www.perplexity.ai)

• What it does: An AI search engine that provides answers with links to sources

• Best for: Research topics where you want to see where the information comes from

• Example use: Research a medical condition and get information with links to medical websites

4. Grammarly (https://www.grammarly.com)

• What it does: Checks your writing for grammar, spelling, and style issues

• Best for: Improving emails, documents, and any writing where you want to sound professional

• Example use: Write an important email and let Grammarly catch any mistakes and suggest improvements

5. Canva (https://www.canva.com)

• What it does: A design tool with AI features that help create graphics, presentations, and social media posts

• Best for: Making professional-looking materials without design experience

• Example use: Create a birthday invitation or a presentation for a community group

6. Notion AI (https://www.notion.so)

• What it does: A workspace tool with built-in AI that helps organize notes, projects, and information

• Best for: Keeping track of personal projects, notes, and to-do lists with AI assistance

• Example use: Take messy notes from a meeting and have AI organize them into clear action items

7. Fireflies.ai (https://fireflies.ai)

• What it does: Joins your video meetings and automatically takes notes and creates transcripts

• Best for: Keeping records of important conversations without having to write everything down

• Example use: Record a Zoom call with your book club and get an automatic summary of the discussion

8. Google Gemini (https://gemini.google.com)

• What it does: Google's AI assistant that can answer questions, help with tasks, and work with Google services

• Best for: Research, getting quick answers, and working with documents or images

• Example use: Upload a photo and ask questions about what's in it, or get help understanding a complex document

9. Jasper (https://www.jasper.ai)

• What it does: An AI writing assistant focused on creating marketing content and professional writing

• Best for: Writing blog posts, social media content, or any longer-form writing projects

• Example use: Generate ideas for blog topics or draft a newsletter for your organization

10. Zapier (https://zapier.com)

• What it does: Connects different apps and automates repetitive tasks using AI

• Best for: Saving time by automating tasks like saving email attachments or updating spreadsheets

• Example use: Automatically save email attachments from a specific sender to a Google Drive folder

Final Thoughts

Learning about AI has been one of the most exciting journeys of my later years. It's reminded me that we're never too old to learn new skills or embrace new technology.

The key is approaching it with curiosity, caution, and a willingness to experiment. Don't be intimidated by the technology—start small, try different tools, and see what works for you.

And remember: always verify important information, especially when it comes to health, finances, or major decisions. AI is a powerful assistant, but it should complement—not replace—your own judgment and the advice of trusted professionals.

I'd love to hear from you: What AI tools have you tried? What uses have you found most helpful in your daily life? Share your experiences in the comments below!

Note: All website links were current as of November 2025. Technology changes rapidly, so always verify that these services meet your needs and privacy requirements before signing up.