Embracing the Next Great Shift

How Artificial Intelligence Can Empower Life in Retirement

We are living at a turning point in history.

That may sound dramatic, but it’s true. Just as previous generations stood at the edge of new inventions—unsure, skeptical, even afraid—we now stand at the edge of a new age shaped by artificial intelligence (AI). For those who are willing to be curious and open-minded, this new age holds the potential for more joy, more purpose, and more possibilities than we have ever had before, especially in retirement.

Before we talk about AI, it helps to remember that we’ve been here before.

When Books Were “Dangerous”: The Printing Press

In the mid-1400s, Johannes Gutenberg perfected the printing press, and the world changed. Books could suddenly be produced in large numbers. Ordinary people could learn to read and have access to ideas that had once belonged only to priests, scholars, and the wealthy.

But that’s not how everyone saw it at the time.

Many people believed the printing press was dangerous. Some church leaders feared it would spread heresy. Some parents and teachers worried that if children sat around reading, they would stop playing outside, their bodies would grow weak, and society would fall apart. Others insisted that handwritten manuscripts were the only “real” books and that machines would ruin the sacred art of copying texts.

Looking back, those fears seem almost comical. We know that the printing press helped launch the Renaissance, spread scientific knowledge, and eventually made universal education possible. But in the moment, it felt threatening. Those who clung to the past were left behind, while those who learned to read and use books gained a lifetime of opportunity.

When Light Was Scary: The Coming of Electricity

Fast-forward to the late 1800s. Electric light and power were beginning to appear in cities. At first, many people were terrified.

Newspapers printed stories about electrical accidents. Critics insisted that electricity was far too dangerous to bring into homes. They claimed that if it was used at all, it should be confined to factories and streetlights. Some argued that gas lamps and candles were “good enough” and that there was no reason to invite invisible bolts of energy into the living room.

Again, we know how the story ends. Electricity changed everything. It lit homes and schools, powered appliances, and eventually made possible radios, televisions, computers, and nearly every modern convenience. Those who refused to adapt missed out on decades of comfort, efficiency, and growth. Those who learned to flip the switch enjoyed a brighter, safer, more connected life.

“Too Fast for the Human Body”: The Automobile

Then came the automobile.

When cars began to appear on the streets in the late 1800s and early 1900s, many people swore they would never replace the horse and buggy. Doctors warned that the human body wasn’t designed to travel at 30 or 40 miles per hour and that such speeds might damage a person’s health. Teamsters and carriage makers dismissed trucks as useless compared to a good horse and wagon.

You already know what happened. The automobile changed how we work, shop, travel, and live. Entire industries were born. Towns grew into cities. Families could visit relatives miles away in a single afternoon. People who refused to consider the automobile eventually found themselves living in a world built around roads, not stables.

“Just a Fad”: Computers and the Internet

In the second half of the 20th century, computers and, later, the Internet arrived.

At first, many people insisted they wanted nothing to do with computers. They were too complicated, too expensive, too strange. Some believed the Internet was just a fad for young people and techies. Why send an email when you could write a letter? Why search online when you could look something up in an encyclopedia?

Today, computers and the Internet are woven into almost every part of daily life. We bank online, talk to our grandchildren on video calls, read the news on our phones, and stream movies from our living rooms. Those who never learned to use these tools often find themselves isolated and dependent on others for tasks that could be simple and empowering.

A Familiar Moment: The Rise of Artificial Intelligence

Now we stand at the next inflection point: artificial intelligence.

Programs like ChatGPT—and many others that will follow—are not just another gadget. They represent a new way of thinking about tools altogether. For the first time in history, ordinary people can have a kind of “thinking partner” in their pocket: a system that can help them write, plan, learn, imagine, translate, explain, and even brainstorm.

And once again, some people are afraid.

We hear concerns that AI will take over the world, destroy jobs, or make people lazy. We read headlines about the risks and relatively few stories about the possibilities. Many people—especially those of us who did not grow up with smartphones—feel that this is “for younger folks,” not for us.

But if history teaches us anything, it is this:

Those who ignore a major new technology do not stop it. They simply give up the chance to shape how it will serve them.

Why This Moment Matters for Retirees

Most of the people we are speaking to are already retired or approaching retirement. You are not worried about losing your job to AI. But there is still something very important at stake.

AI has the potential to:

  • Make everyday life easier and less stressful

  • Keep your brain active and curious

  • Help you pursue hobbies and passions in greater depth

  • Strengthen your relationships and communication

  • Give you a sense of purpose, creativity, and contribution for years to come

In other words, this is not just a story about technology. It is a story about the kind of life you want to live in your 60s, 70s, 80s, and beyond.

Think of AI as a team of experts and assistants that you could never afford to hire in real life—but now have on your phone, your tablet, or your computer, 24 hours a day.

What AI Can Do for You: Real-World Examples

Here are just a few of the ways AI can become a powerful ally in retirement:

1. Health and Medical Support

AI cannot replace a doctor—but it can help you become a better partner in your own care.

  • Prepare for appointments by summarizing your symptoms, medications, and questions

  • Translate complex medical terms into plain English

  • Help you compare side effects of different medications and generate smart questions to ask your physician

  • Draft a clear summary of your visit so you don’t forget what was discussed

Imagine walking into the doctor’s office with a one-page summary that you and your AI assistant prepared together. You are confident, organized, and ready to participate in decisions about your health.

2. Everyday Problem-Solving

AI can help with countless small tasks that otherwise eat up time and energy:

  • Draft emails and texts that say exactly what you mean, with good spelling and grammar

  • Compare service options—insurance plans, phone carriers, travel bookings—by asking for pros and cons in simple language

  • Create packing lists, shopping lists, or step-by-step instructions for household projects

Instead of getting stuck or overwhelmed, you have a calm, patient assistant to walk you through each step.

3. Hobbies, Travel, and Fun

Retirement should be rich with enjoyment. AI can help you go deeper into what you love:

  • Plan detailed trips, from flights and hotels to walkable neighborhoods and local experiences

  • Learn a language, practice conversation, or get instant grammar help

  • Explore recipes based on what you already have in the fridge

  • Get personalized ideas for books to read, movies to watch, or local events to attend

Whether it’s gardening, photography, genealogy, or pickleball, you can ask AI to be your coach, researcher, and idea generator.

4. Keeping the Brain Young

One of the greatest fears in aging is losing mental sharpness. AI can be a powerful tool for staying mentally active:

  • Create custom quizzes on any topic you want to learn or remember

  • Practice memory exercises designed for your level

  • Ask for explanations of history, science, or philosophy at exactly the depth you prefer

  • Engage in thoughtful conversations about meaning, spirituality, or current events

The more you use it, the more you stretch your thinking muscles.

5. Purpose, Legacy, and Relationships

Finally, AI can help you with the most important questions of all: What kind of life do you want to live now, and what do you want to leave behind?

  • Draft letters to children, grandchildren, or friends that express your love and wisdom

  • Organize stories from your life into a memoir or family history

  • Design a personal “purpose statement” and get ideas for living it out in daily life

  • Explore volunteer opportunities or projects that match your values

In short, AI can be a partner in building a life that feels meaningful, not just busy.

The Cost of Sitting This One Out

History is clear. In every major technological shift:

  • Some people step forward, learn, experiment, and grow.

  • Others step back, resist, and eventually feel left out of a world that has moved on without them.

With AI, the risk is not that your horse and buggy business will collapse or that your job will disappear. The risk is more subtle but still serious: that the world of information, creativity, and connection will move faster than you do—and you will be forced to rely on others for things you could do yourself.

You might miss opportunities to:

  • Stay mentally sharp

  • Connect deeply with younger generationsPlease paste the text you want formatted, and I will make it beautiful.

  • Manage your own affairs with confidence

  • Experience fresh joy and curiosity in this stage of life

You deserve better than that.

Our Mission: A Gentle On-Ramp to the Age of AI

That is why my friend Blu and I have created a program designed especially for seniors.

Our goal is simple:

To help you cross this bridge—not as someone being dragged into a confusing future, but as an active, confident explorer.

In our pilot program, we will:

• Explain what AI is (and what it isn’t) in clear, non-technical language

• Show you, step by step, how to use tools like ChatGPT on your phone, tablet, or computer

• Demonstrate real examples of how AI can support your health, your hobbies, your relationships, and your sense of purpose

• Give you plenty of time to practice, ask questions, and get personalized help

• Invite your honest feedback so we can keep improving the program for others

We believe that AI should not be something that happens to older adults. It should be something that happens with them and for them.

A New Age of Possibility

The printing press did not destroy childhood. Electricity did not ruin the home. The automobile did not break the human body. Computers and the Internet did not end real relationships.

Each of these technologies changed the world. Each came with real risks and real challenges. But in the end, they opened up far more opportunity than they closed.

Artificial intelligence is the next chapter in that same story.

You do not have to become a computer scientist. You do not have to understand every detail. You only have to be willing to learn enough to let this new tool serve you.

If you choose to embrace AI now—curiously, thoughtfully, and with support—you are not just “keeping up with technology.” You are giving yourself the chance to live the years ahead with more clarity, creativity, and joy.

This is your invitation.

The future is not just for the young.

The future is for the willing.