For Lilly Lopez, a retired CPA, artificial intelligence (AI) provides a way to learn about medical terms her doctor used when giving her a diagnosis.
For Evelyn Sklar, a retired radiologist, AI keeps her up to date with the latest medical advances.
But for Dale Moses, 77, the AI chatbot offered a more practical solution to a personal dilemma.
“I went to see a film called ‘Dead Language,’ and I did not understand it at all,” she said. “It was weird. So, I asked ChatGPT for an explanation, and then I understood it.”
Lopez, Sklar, and Moses are all retirees navigating the world of artificial intelligence by taking a class at the University of Miami’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). The class, called “What is Artificial Intelligence: From Origins to Modern Applications,” has attracted 40 participants.
The instructor, Joan Nurse, is a veteran teacher with over 20 years of experience in the computer world. She worked as a senior computer programmer at FedEx and AT&T.
She said the goal of the class is not only to teach students how to use artificial intelligence but also to explain its origins, how it functions, and the pros and cons of this newest technology, which mimics human intelligence.
“AI is a part of our lives whether we know it or not, and we are all affected by it,” she said. “AI is like computers were many years ago, when many people rejected them, and now they are a part of our everyday life. Our iPhones are small computers.”
In a recent class, students exchanged stories about their use of AI, including applications like ChatGPT and Claude.
OLLI attracts people who are 50 years old and above, who are semiretired or retired, and want to keep learning for the joy of learning. So the time spent in class is not only listening to the professor but also exchanging stories that often enhance the teachings.
“That is what I love about this place,” said Gary Lubel, a retired dentist, who has been taking classes at OLLI for the past five years. “There are so many bright, talented people, and we learn a lot from each other.”
For their first assignment, students had to read a paper by Alan Turing, the mathematician who was the founder of computer science and artificial intelligence. Many participants were surprised that Turing was talking about this technology over 50 years ago.
Students were also concerned about privacy issues when using artificial intelligence. “Would their personal information be compromised?” asked one participant.
“All information you provide to AI is being stored, but if you are worried about personal privacy, it is best not to input any personal information,” said Nurse.
Although the AI technology seems perfect, Nurse cautioned that at times the applications could provide false information. This is called “hallucinations.”
She repeatedly told the students to not use the technology to self-diagnose an illness. Instead, they should seek the advice of their doctors.
Nurse likes to change the pace of the class by introducing videos that are relevant to the discussion. She presented two segments from the news magazine program “60 Minutes” that talked about the future of AI and its effects on education.
“I try to let the students set the pace by telling me what they know and what they want to learn,” she said. “I also use humor at times to keep the class lively.”
For future classes, students will learn about:
- The impact of artificial intelligence in the medical field. Many doctors use iPads to document patient’s information and that data is linked to AI to facilitate diagnosis and treatment.
- How database centers, which are built in many sites throughout the country, are the unseen engines that fuel AI, providing massive computing power and storage.
- The use of digital assistants like Siri and Alexa. These voice-activated digital assistants can interact with AI to help people interact with the technology in a conversational way.
- The pros and cons of AI for society.
For now, most students use AI to gather information vital to their everyday lives.
“It makes me feel smarter,” said Lopez. “I can ask all types of questions, and it will give me the answers.”
