Chatgpt for seniors.
The news is full of reports about chatgpt and artificial intelligence in general at the minute and it seems as though this is going to be a topic that will only get bigger as time goes by.
Most of the news bulletins focus on how these technologies will change the working world but we want to explore how they can be used by retirees to improve their lives and enhance the retirement experience.
We aim to explain what chatgpt is, the costs involved, and how you can access it.
Firstly though we’ll explain what artificial intelligence and chatgpt are.
What is artificial intelligence?
Put simply artificial intelligence, also known as AI, is a computer based programme that aims to mimic human intelligence and to produce answers or results that look like they have been produced by humans.
There are an ever increasing range of products under development that aim to produce AI programmes.
These include AI models that can make paintings, photographs and books that appear to have been created by humans.
What is chatgpt?
Chatgpt is an AI based search engine programme that can give results in a more conversational style.
It has been programmed with a huge body of information which it searches before giving a reply.
As such it is like asking your most intelligence friend a question.
It’s as simple as that.
That is the chat part of chat gpt.
GPT stands for generative pre-trained transformer.
It sounds complicated but it is basically a computer programme that is used for natural language learning.
In computer terminology programmes such as these are often referred to as algorithms.
How is charger different to other search engines such as Google?
Normal search engines such as Google will use their computers to trawl the internet and point you in the direction of a website that can answer your query.
They often take snippets from the most trusted websites and present these in an answer form.
In a lot of cases you will be presented with a list of websites from which you can find the information you requested.
Chatgpt by comparison will search its database and collate the answer from all that it has learned from the different websites and other information that it was programmed with.
It will then present an answer in a more direct and conversational style.
This presumably is why the ‘chat’ element was included in its name.
It is designed to understand the context of a question and to remember the earlier questions you asked in that particular ‘conversation’.
Is chatgpt free?
The latest version of chatgpt, known as chatgpt4 does require a subscription but earlier versions, such as chatgpt3.5 are available to use for free.
In our opinion, the main difference between chatgpt4 and earlier versions is that chatgpt4 is connected to the current internet.
You can ask it for up to date news, statistics and other information.
Chatgpt3 or 3.5 were based around a closed system of information from 2021.
Try to imagine it as an expert who has been out of touch with current events since late 2021.
It still holds a vast amount of information and expertise but cannot be relied on for current affairs, up to date statistics etc.
Having said that, it is a very impressive tool.
How can chatgpt help seniors?
Chatgpt has a friendly conversational style when answering questions and gives almost human like replies.
Using chatgpt feels like having a conversation with a real person rather than a computer.
Chatgpt can be used to answer a range of questions and, when asked, can clarify parts of its original answer or reframe it in another way to increase understanding.
It can even give you the same answer in a simpler form or bullet points.
Subjects it can assist retirees and seniors with include;
Financial planning.
Travel ideas and destinations.
New hobbies.
Language learning.
Emotional support.
Help with understanding new technology.
General questions on retirement and lifestyle choices.
Ready to give it a try?
How to get chatgpt.
Accessing the free version of chatgpt is quite simple.
Go to www.chat.openai.com
Sign up for a free account which will give you access to chatGTP3.5.
How to use chatgtpt
Once you’ve registered for your account you will be taken to the chatgpt home screen.
On the left hand side is the black menu list. Click on the top item ‘ + New Chat’.
This starts a new conversation. You then enter your question in the box in the centre, bottom of the main screen which has the greyed out words ‘Send a message’.
Once you’ve entered your question click the arrow at the end of this box (it looks like a paper airplane) and wait for a reply.
Keep the conversation going for as long as you wish or go to the ‘+New Chat’ button to start another one.
Chatgpt keeps a record of previous conversations in a list format in the black menu section underneath the ‘+New Chat’ button.
You can return to a previous conversation and carry on with it whenever you wish.
Tips for using chatgpt.
The questions you ask chatgpt in the query box are known as prompts. The more detailed the question (prompt) the better the answer will be.
You can tell it to reply on different levels, and to make its answers easier to understand.
Simple starter prompts can include;
‘Tell me about….’
‘Give me a list of ten….’
‘What is…’
You can give chtgtp a ‘personality’ by telling it in the question (prompt) what characteristics or persona you want it to have.
You simply tell it who it is before asking the question.
e.g. ‘You are retired university professor specialising in mental health issues, tell me…..’
Or
‘You are a witty, cheeky retiree….’
You can also choose how the answers are presented.
e.g. ‘….give your answer in less than 500 words and in bullet points’.
‘give your answer in simply terms that a five year old could understand’
Play around with it, it’s quite easy, and once you get familiar with it you can add more complicated questions (prompts).
Can you have fun with chatgpt?
Can you really have fun with a computer?
Give it a go. Here are a few suggestions to try;
Prompt it to write a poem based on any subject you choose.
Ask it about its interests or about its favourite movies
Get it to tell you a joke.
Play ‘10 questions’ with it based on your specialist knowledge and see how well it replies.
Learn a language.
Have a conversation with it in the style of your favourite film character or historical figure.
So……..tips
Is it worth trying chatgpt if you are old?
Chatgpt can enhance your life at any age by giving you access to a knowledgeable computer programme that gives its replies in a more human conversational style.
You are not too old to try it.
It has access to trillions of pieces of information and a wide range of resources including retirement advice and the ageing process.
With ideas for recipes, lifestyle, money and health advice among many others it is a useful tool for finding ideas and inspiration for a more fulfilling retirement and old age.
Chatgpt can also tell stories or write e-mails for you.
Used correctly it can be likened to having a conversation with a wise, sympathetic friend.
Just like when you speak to a friend, you can take its answers and advice and decide for yourself which bits you agree with or disagree with.
Give it a try and see what you make of it.
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