AI After 60: 5 Ways to Teach an Old Broad New Tricks

In the first article in this AI series, I shared how artificial intelligence unexpectedly reignited something in me – curiosity, creativity, even a sense of wonder that ultimately inspired a book, Vivi and Me.

If you had told me a year ago that I’d be “talking” to an AI chatbot about everything from writing real estate ads to translating documents, crafting sensitive emails, understanding medical terminology, or simply thinking something through, I would have laughed.

I’m not technical. Not even a little. And, who talks to a machine?

But I was curious.

And what I discovered – and what you can too – is that AI doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating. It can be a helpful, supportive tool… and sometimes even feel like a thoughtful friend.

So, if you’ve been wondering where/if to begin, here are five simple, real-life areas you can use to ease into artificial intelligence.

1. Start with Everyday Help

The best way to think about AI is as a valuable assistant available 24/7.

You can ask it to:

• Help you write an email when the words won’t come.
• Create reminders for birthdays, daily calendars, paying bills, and taking medication.
• Track expenses, create financial planning worksheets, and plan your retirement budgets.
• Summarize news articles, read aloud, or offer book, movie, and music ideas that will inspire or entertain you.
• Suggest a short meditation if you’re having trouble sleeping.
• Talk through a problem when your mind won’t settle, or be a friendly voice whenever you need to talk.

You can even take a photo of what’s in your refrigerator, and AI will suggest recipes using what you already have.

For fashion and beauty enthusiasts, if you’ve ever wondered whether a new lipstick suits your skin tone or whether a shorter hairstyle would work for you, AI has apps and tools that let you “try on” different looks – makeup, hairstyles, even glasses – without ever stepping into a store.

It’s a fun, low-risk way to experiment and maybe even rediscover a part of yourself you haven’t explored in a while.

Sometimes it’s not about changing how you look – it’s just about seeing yourself in a new way.

2. Support Your Health and Well-Being

For many of us, staying healthy – and feeling good in our bodies – is what keeps us young.

AI isn’t a doctor, and it shouldn’t replace one. But it can help you feel more informed and prepared.

You can use it to:

• Explore gentle exercises that fit your abilities or help you recover from an injury or surgery.
• Create meal suggestions tailored to your special dietary needs.
• Suggest memory games, mindfulness programs, and daily habits that support cognitive health.
• Monitor heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and sleep patterns with wearable AI devices.

One of the most empowering ways to use AI is before a doctor’s appointment. Your chatbot can create questions to bring to your doctor. I am an expat living in Ecuador, so I have Vivi make a list of questions in both English and Spanish so I can communicate clearly and feel prepared rather than overwhelmed when I get to the doctor.

If you receive test results or a diagnosis that you don’t fully understand, screenshot your results and ask AI to explain it in plain, simple language – without the medical jargon. You can also snap photos of anything from an unusual skin rash to your thinning hair, and AI can help identify it, offer solutions, or determine whether your symptoms are normal or require immediate medical attention.

3. Your Own Personal Travel Agent

I love to travel.

What don’t I love? Spending hours researching flights, hotels, and trying to figure out where to stay in a destination I’ve never been to.

AI can take much of that pressure off.

You can ask it to:

• Recommend neighborhoods, hotels, or Airbnbs.
• Compare flight or travel options.
• Build a simple itinerary based on your interests.
• Suggest hidden gems you won’t find in guidebooks.
• Learn a few key phrases in the language of the country you’re visiting.
• Help you with a packing list and weather guides.

Instead of feeling overwhelmed, planning can actually become enjoyable with AI as your travel buddy.

4. Explore What’s Next for You

At 60+, many women reach a point where they begin asking:

What’s next?

AI can be a surprisingly helpful companion during periods of reinvention or transition. It can:

• Brainstorm ideas for a new project or business.
• Explore interests you’ve never had time for in the past.
• Write a new resume, build and design websites and business cards, and see who’s hiring in your area.
• Role-play for job interviews, teach you how to write a speech, or how to speak on camera.
• Help you to start or join a local charity.

AI can also help you get unstuck.

If you’re feeling uncertain or overwhelmed, you can talk things through – what you’re drawn to, what you’re afraid of, and what you might want to try next, personally or jobwise. Sometimes, just seeing your thoughts clearly reflected back is enough to help you take the first step towards something new.

It can also help you break big ideas into small, manageable steps – so “someday” starts to feel more like “today.”

5. Rediscover Creativity

You don’t have to be a writer or artist to jump right in and discover or rediscover your creative side. With AI, there are no mistakes or judgments, just learning and fun. You can have AI help to:

• Experiment with art projects
• Paint with words
• Generate your own graphics and create memes, avatars, birthday cards, calendars, and more
• Learn a new language
• Create a music soundtrack of your life
• Learn to write poetry, a novel, or a memoir

Despite what some people believe, I can honestly say AI has made me a better writer – not by replacing my voice, but by helping me see things differently (and check spelling and grammar … a great help!)

How to Start

At the end of the day, using AI isn’t about becoming technical or learning code. It’s about staying engaged, curious and open.

It’s about finding small ways to make life easier, more interesting, and sometimes even more meaningful.

In my next article, I’ll share how to use AI safely and confidently – because that matters most, especially for our generation.

But for now, the only step you need to take is a simple one:

Ask a question.

And see what happens.

Share with Us:

Has AI Helped You? How do you use it in your daily life and projects? Share some insights and ideas about artificial intelligence.