AI Unveiled: A Boomer's Guide to the Future

This online video session introduces the five major AI chatbot assistants available today, explaining their distinct personalities and strengths in a clear and easy-to-understand manner. ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, is a popular all-purpose assistant used by over 200 million people for a wide range of tasks, from writing emails to receiving coding help. Claude (by Anthropic) excels at creative writing, bringing a more natural and human touch, and can handle extremely long conversations. Grok (by Elon Musk's xAI) provides concise answers with a touch of humor, catering to those who prefer straightforward information with a personal touch. Gemini (formerly Bard, by Google) works seamlessly with Google products, providing up-to-date information for research and planning. Perplexity stands out as a fact-checker that consistently displays its sources, making it perfect for those who value verification. The video presents these AI tools as helpful digital assistants, each with its specialty for specific situations.

This session provides practical guidance on utilizing AI chatbots effectively, emphasizing the most effective ways to leverage everyday interactions with these digital assistants. To get good results, the video emphasizes being specific with your questions rather than vague, comparing it to talking with someone helpful who doesn't know you yet. A clever tip to share is to assign a persona to the AI (such as "act as a retired travel agent") to help tailor responses to your needs. The session emphasizes the importance of providing detailed information about your goals, preferences, and background context, as AI chatbots aren't limited by message length and perform better with more information. Practical applications covered include travel planning (itineraries and packing lists), recipe suggestions based on pantry ingredients, and writing assistance for emails, texts, and social media posts. The video concludes with reassurance that these tools are meant to make life easier without taking over, encouraging viewers to experiment with different prompts and to try again if the first answer isn't perfect.

This online video session provides practical advice on common AI chatbot mistakes and how to avoid them, presented in a friendly and reassuring tone for those who may be less tech-savvy. The lecture identifies four key pitfalls: taking everything AI says as fact (when chatbots can "hallucinate" or present incorrect information confidently), oversharing personal information (recommending users keep questions general and avoid sharing sensitive details like social security numbers or addresses), trying to accomplish too much in a single prompt (suggesting breaking complex tasks into smaller steps), and assuming the AI remembers previous conversations (noting that most chatbots don't retain information between sessions unless memory features are enabled). Throughout the session, the instructor uses relatable comparisons, likening AI to "a very eager assistant who never sleeps" or "a really smart puppy" that's enthusiastic but still learning, while emphasizing that these tools should be starting points for information rather than final authorities, especially for health, financial, or other important matters that typically require expert guidance. The video concludes by reassuring viewers that using AI effectively takes some patience and practice.

In this fun and creative lecture, you’ll learn how to use AI tools like MidJourney and DALL·E to create stunning, quirky, or just plain fun images using only your words. Whether you want to design a fantasy landscape or restore an old family photo, AI can help bring your ideas to life—without needing a paintbrush or Photoshop skills. After this lecture, you’ll be able to generate images, edit them right inside ChatGPT, and even breathe new life into old photos with colorization and fixes—all while staying mindful of what’s real and what’s AI-made.

In this lively and hands-on session, learners will be introduced to the magic of AI video creation through easy-to-use tools like Runway, Pika, and Synthesia. Think of it as giving your words a voice—and a face—without stepping in front of a camera or mastering fancy software. We’ll walk through how these tools can help you craft short clips, animated scenes, and even talking-head videos using just a simple script and a dash of imagination. Along the way, you’ll get to try one of the tools yourself, creating a personalized video message in minutes. No special effects team required—just your curiosity and maybe a cup of coffee.

By the end of this session, you’ll walk away with:

• A solid understanding of how AI video tools work behind the scenes

• The confidence to use Runway, Pika, and Synthesia for fun or functional videos

• Your own mini video project created with AI (no brushing your hair required)

• A better sense of how these tools might fit into your everyday life, whether it’s sending a birthday message or showing off your garden blooms

Bottom line: You’ll see just how easy—and surprisingly fun—it is to become the director of your own digital stories.

Writing doesn’t have to be a chore—AI makes it easier to put your thoughts into words, whether it’s for a blog post, family story, or personal journal. In this lecture, you’ll learn how tools like ChatGPT and GrammarlyGo can help brainstorm ideas, polish your drafts, or generate heartfelt messages on demand. You’ll also find out what to do when the AI sounds a little... off. By the end, you’ll be able to co-write with AI for all kinds of everyday writing tasks, using it as a creative companion that helps you find your voice and express it more often.

Planning a trip doesn’t have to mean juggling sticky notes, tabs, and travel brochures anymore. In this upbeat and practical lecture, you'll learn how to use AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini to plan vacations faster and with less stress. From building customized itineraries to generating packing lists, scenic road trips, and even finding the best apple pie in Vermont, you’ll see how AI can become your personal travel assistant. By the end of this session, you’ll be able to ask AI the right questions to plan smarter trips, compare travel options, and personalize every detail—from budget to activities—like a pro.

In this lecture, you'll see how AI can lend a hand with everyday to-dos like remembering appointments, meal planning, summarizing emails, and more. Whether it’s reminding you to take your medication or figuring out dinner based on what's in your fridge, these tools are like having a digital assistant without the paycheck. By the end, you’ll know how to use AI for organizing your schedule, managing grocery lists, and simplifying the daily information overload in a way that fits your life.

This session reveals how AI influences what you see online — from search results and videos to those oddly perfect product suggestions. You'll understand how search engines use AI to anticipate your needs and how recommendation systems learn from your activity. Most importantly, you’ll learn how to manage your settings to improve your experience and take back control over your feed. After this video, you’ll be able to get better search results, discover content more intentionally, and clean up those pushy recommendations.

In this lecture, you’ll discover how AI quietly supports your well-being, from counting steps to blocking spam calls. Whether it’s fitness trackers adjusting your goals, telehealth systems that prep you for a virtual visit, or fraud alerts that catch fishy bank activity, AI is helping behind the scenes. After watching, you’ll be able to use AI-powered health and security tools to stay active, informed, and protected, with less stress and fewer surprises.

Money matters — and in this video, we show you how AI can help you budget smarter, find real deals, and stay safe while shopping online. Whether you're tracking expenses, saving on that next purchase, or spotting scams before they happen, AI tools are there to help, not hassle. By the end, you’ll know how to use apps for managing spending, catching coupons automatically, and watching out for fraud without lifting more than a finger.

This session introduces a newer kind of AI — one that doesn’t just answer questions, but actually carries out tasks for you. Think of it like a personal assistant who doesn’t need coffee breaks. You’ll learn what Agentic AI is, how it works, and what it could do for you in the near future, from trip planning to organizing family events. By the end, you’ll understand the key differences between chatbots and action-takers — and you’ll be able to spot opportunities to let Agentic AI save you time.

This big question gets an honest look in a reassuring way. You'll hear why AI won't be replacing people anytime soon — and how our unique human qualities still matter. We’ll explore how jobs are changing (not vanishing), how AI can support rather than replace us, and why experience and empathy remain our greatest strengths. After this talk, you’ll feel more confident understanding where AI fits into the future — and where you still matter most.

AI is second nature to kids and grandkids today — but that doesn’t mean they don’t need your guidance. This lecture shows how young people use AI in school and life, and how your experience can help them think critically, use tech wisely, and ask good questions. You’ll walk away with new ways to connect with younger generations, have meaningful conversations about technology, and share wisdom that tech can’t teach.

With so many AI tools out there, it can be tough to know where to start. This session breaks down the big names — like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and more — using plain language and real-life comparisons. Whether you need help with emails, research, or planning a family vacation, there’s an AI tool that fits your style. After this lecture, you’ll know how to choose the best AI assistant for your needs and how to get started without feeling overwhelmed.

You’ve come a long way, and this video wraps it all up. We'll revisit the big ideas — from understanding AI to using it in daily life, choosing tools, and staying connected with family. You’ll see just how much you’ve learned and get a confidence boost to keep using AI in your own way. After this, you’ll feel proud of your progress and ready to keep applying what you’ve learned in ways that make your life a little easier, a little more fun, and a lot more connected.