Older Americans to get to know ChatGPT for free

OpenAI, the company behind the chatbot ChatGPT, has launched a partnership with the organization Older Adults Technology Services (OATS), which is run by the US organization for older adults AARP. Together, they are offering free courses to 1,000 older adults in the US, where they can learn to use ChatGPT, a type of artificial intelligence you can ask questions and get help from.

The courses are called the Older Adults AI Skills Jam and take place in ten US cities, including Denver, Miami and Nashville. They are held through OATS' Senior Planet program.

Behind the initiative is a larger multi-year partnership between OpenAI and AARP. It includes, among other things, a new course in data protection, meaning how to look after your personal information, and an annual survey of how older adults use artificial intelligence. The money comes in part from a $2 million fund at OpenAI, which Microsoft also supports.

Even though the program takes place in the US, the advice is just as useful for Danes, regardless of age. Here are the main points from the courses.

Good advice from the courses

Start with something everyday. Many participants use ChatGPT to plan a trip, understand a difficult letter from a public authority or find inspiration for a hobby. Start with something you already need help with, so you can quickly see what the tool can be used for.

Use artificial intelligence as an extra defense against scams. In the courses, participants learn to use ChatGPT to assess suspicious messages, for example texts or emails that push for a quick reply or contain strange links. The chatbot can help spot warning signs, but it doesn't replace your own common sense.

Remember the simple rule of thumb: stop, think it over, and ask someone. That's the basic rule the courses build on when you come across something suspicious online or in a message.

Use the technology to stay in touch. Several participants have used ChatGPT to write messages to family and friends or to understand new apps, so the technology brings generations together instead of creating distance between them.

Seek out a community if you can. An important part of the courses is that they take place face to face, where participants can ask questions and practice together with others. If you have an older relative, a similar informal session at home can make artificial intelligence less overwhelming.

The future of the courses

The initiative is still brand new in the US, and it hasn't yet been decided whether similar courses will come to Denmark. But the advice about starting small, using artificial intelligence as extra protection against scams and remembering to stop and think things over is something everyone can use today.