The Age of AI (Artificial Intelligence)
What is AI? (Artificial Intelligence)
The term “artificial intelligence” (AI) refers to computer systems that are so advanced they can learn by recognising and processing patterns of information. It’s so good it can interact with humans using a natural, conversational language. It absorbs the information we feed into it, such as Facebook posts and what we buy at the grocery store, and uses that information to educate itself. It’s even begun to think for itself.
You’ve probably been using AI without even knowing it. Do you use Alexa or anything voice or face activated? When you type onto your keyboard and it predicts what you’re going to say, that’s AI in action. Spotify uses AI to suggest a playlist just for you. There are good and bad things about AI, but one thing’s for sure, it’s not going away. So maybe we need to think about adapting to this new technology so we’re not left behind.
The bad stuff
Let’s start with the scary part of AI. Have you heard the word “deepfake” over the last few years? Well, “deepfake” is audio or video intentionally created by artificial intelligence to deceive someone. This is easily done with a snippet of someone’s voice or just a single photo, and the result can be shockingly realistic. Anybody with the right tools can make a deepfake recording of another person that’s so real, viewers will believe what they see and hear. Right now, there are hundreds of fake photos and videos on everything from political views to panty liners and celebrities. Talk about a doppelganger?!
Here's an example of a deepfake photo. Notice the very smooth skin on the face and the wonky looking hands.
In an issue of USA Today-Tech (2025), Emmy award winner tech columnist Jennifer Jolly provides this short, very informative video on how to spot deepfake audio and video. It’s worth watching.
Something else to keep in mind is that older people are the biggest target group for AI scams aimed at getting our money and information. Someone gets a “Granny, it’s me” phone call saying they’re stuck and need cash. AI can mimic voices, so was it really your grandchild? We also have a literacy gap with AI technology. We don’t want AI to be smarter than we are, so it’s best to educate ourselves.
Now for some good news
Although phoney media can make AI a terrifying spectre, there are some great benefits that we shouldn’t ignore. I have been avoiding AI like the plague, but encouraged by a woman in the field, I started with ChatGPT to help me draft some legal documents. It was the first time I intentionally used AI to help me with something, and it was an amazing experience. AI felt a bit like a servant which was very weird, but the information it provided was astonishing. AI makes mistakes, so with something as important as legal documents, I checked the facts against what it generated. It was remarkably accurate.
If you want to try AI, just type ChatGPT into your web browser and when you get to it, just ask something specific. For example, you could ask “In the year 1325, at what age were females in Scotland married, and what happened if they didn’t have a dowry? Please create a 2-paragraph summary of your answer.” Be specific with your question. Try typing, “Please create a printable how-to for fixing my toilet.” It will probably ask you what the problem is so it can provide you with accurate instructions.
Another benefit of AI is challenging mind games that help to keep our brains engaged. And there’s more! In a great article published by 50 Plus (July2025) “There are AI tools that can help you budget, track subscriptions, or organise your digital files — including the ones you forgot were sitting in a folder marked ‘Important!’ from 2017. Tools like Notion AI and Reclaim can become a digital second brain, keeping everything in one place and prompting you when things need doing.” They also have a summary of areas in our life that can benefit we older gals.
There have been big advances in medical diagnostics using AI platforms. Although this is new technology, one study shows significant increases in cancer findings. In the article Five AI Innovations That Will Redefine Healthcare in 2025 (Forbes, February 2025), they state “With AI support, radiologists increased breast cancer detection by 17.6% and lowered recall rates. Additionally, the AI group had a higher positive predictive value for recalls than the control group.” This is great news for women!
Many believe the future will be filled with breakthroughs thanks to advancements in AI technology. Some believe it will completely transform patient healthcare with improved diagnostic accuracy, better patient monitoring, and more efficient workflows which will ease the backlogs for patients seeking treatment.
Another big advancement in AI is the invention of “emotional companions”. These devices can hold conversations with you, reminds you of birthdays and to take your meds. I watched one example of a woman telling her companion that she was feeling down, and the machine spoke back in a soft, calming voice, helped her to regulate her breath and asked if she’d like to hear some music. Another video showed a woman asking her companion “I have shrimp and mushrooms in the fridge, what can I make for dinner?” Memory care patients have shown promising results by engaging with AI tools that help them feel less isolated and alone.
There are several AI home devices that you may already be using. Amazon’s Echo series offers a range of “assistants” with products that are simple or more sophisticated. Prices are surprisingly affordable with the top-of-the-line costing about £250 for the devices with screens for video chatting. The service is free, but you must have an Amazon Prime account. We pay £8.99/month.
For something high level, there’s an AI device called Elli*Q which is currently sold in the US (expanding to the UK and Canada soon). With a price point of about $900, it tracks medications, shares photos and messages, and has community activities like bingo. The monthly subscription of $40-60 can be rich for some budgets, but it looks fun and seems very interactive. There appears to be a 1-year contract after which you can pay month to month or cancel. Some people may qualify for free or reduced service fees. Check the link below for more information about Elli*Q.
If you’re interested in learning how AI can enhance your every day, AIReviewly has published a fantastic list of AI apps that are broken down into categories. There’s some helpful information about what each app does and the estimated cost of running them. See below for their list with clickable links straight to the companies selling the tech.
Don't be fooled
There are some key things to remember when trying to decide if something is AI generated, like a field of flowers, or if it's a misleading deepfake.
Does it make sense?
Assume everything is a fake until you can verify it from reliable sources. Would Mother Teresa say she bought at AR15? Use Google to fact check it.
What about the scene?
Are there shadows where you expect them? If it’s windy and the trees are blowing but someone’s hair isn’t? Skies are beautiful, but is this over the top?
Look at the details closely.
Zoom in. AI is terrible at recreating hands, especially fingers. Details are often unusual, like an eye looking wonky or a dolphin with two noses.
What is the source?
If the source is from a name you know, like ABC, Reuters, CBC or BBC, it is more likely to be real. But if the source is mrsbaloney@tiktok, it might not be real. Question it.
Bodycam and doorbell cameras hide a lot of AI flaws, so be wary of those videos in particular.
Watch for
Disappearing hands and things like weird looking signs or flickering bits. If words don't sync with a moving mouth, be suspicious.
Should you report deepfakes?
You can report deepfakes, but investigators will only be interested in significant issues that are worth their time, so consider your level of concern carefully. Acts of financial fraud or intention to harm should always be reported.
In the UK, you can get in touch with Police.UK for more information about deepfakes, fraud, scams, and other illegal online activities.
www.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/online-safety/online-safety/deepfakes-what-is-a-deepfake/deepfakes-reporting-it-to-us/
In the US, things are a bit more complicated, but for more information check out
https://firstamendment.mtsu.edu/post/dealing-with-deepfakes-what-the-first-amendment-says/
In Canada, you can report deepfakes to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre is you suspect fraud or cybercrime.
https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm
Toggle off or off grid?
In some cases, you can block AI interaction. Do a search for your device and instructions to turn off the technology. You can usually do that in your settings on your device. Remember that AI is already working behind the scenes in many different arenas, so it will be hard to rid ourselves of this growing technology. The only way to avoid AI is to go off grid.
I don’t want to submit to artificial intelligence. Gosh, I have a hard enough time managing my own intelligence. But in my view, we don’t have a choice. It’s here and it’s either going to be great or its going to suck. We older gals don’t want to be swept up in the tide of AI so it’s best that we learn what we can and use AI tools to our advantage.
Of course, we can always give our phones away, sell our TVs and computers, and live a quiet life in the country without devices of any kind. Just stop using technology entirely. But consider the consequences carefully.
I’m not giving up my spreadsheets or handwritten notes, but I’m going to embrace AI carefully and pay attention to what’s real and what’s fake.
Here’s a bit more info you might find helpful.
2
https://www.50plusmagazine.co.uk/10-ways-ai-can-empower-you-after-50-at-work-at-home-and-everywhere-in-between/
3
https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2025/02/28/five-ai-innovations-that-will-redefine-healthcare-in-2025/
4
https://elliq.com/pages/free
5
https://aireviewly.com/rankings/ai-for-seniors.html