When my mother expressed a desire to understand AI, I saw an opportunity to transform a complex technology into a tool for empowerment. Together with an AI collaborator, I designed a curriculum specifically for older adults—prioritizing clarity, safety, and heritage-led learning. Witnessing my mother’s journey from curiosity to competence was a powerful reminder that no one should be left behind in the digital age. Below is the framework we created; I hope it brings as much insight to your family as it did to mine. 📘 CLASS 1 📘 CLASS 1 AI in Your Daily Life (For You, Mom 🌸) AI in Your Daily Life (For You, Mom 🌸) 🧠 EXPLANATORY PART 🧠 EXPLANATORY PART Hi Mom! Today we’re going to look at all the places where AI is already helping you every day. You might not notice it because it works quietly in the background, but it’s there — making things easier, safer, and more convenient. From your phone to your TV to the apps you use, AI is doing little jobs for you, like recognizing your voice, helping you find photos, suggesting videos you might enjoy, and even helping your GPS choose the best route home. By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to point to something and say, “Oh! That’s AI helping me.” My goal is to help you feel confident and comfortable, so you can recognize AI not as something mysterious, but as a helpful assistant that’s already part of your routine. 🛠️ HANDS-ON PART 🛠️ HANDS-ON PART Activity A: Finding AI on Your Phone Activity A: Finding AI on Your Phone Mom, let’s explore a few places where your phone is already using AI. Open your text messages.Start typing a sentence like: “I am learning…”Look at the little words your phone suggests next.👉 That’s AI predicting what you might want to say.Use the microphone button in your keyboard.Tap it and say:“I am practicing how to use AI today.”Your phone will turn your voice into text.👉 That’s AI listening and understanding your speech.Open your Photos app.Try searching for something like “cat,” “flower,” or “food.”Your phone finds photos instantly.👉 That’s AI recognizing what’s in your pictures. Open your text messages. Open your text messages. Start typing a sentence like: “I am learning…” Look at the little words your phone suggests next. 👉 That’s AI predicting what you might want to say. Use the microphone button in your keyboard. Use the microphone button in your keyboard. Tap it and say: “I am practicing how to use AI today.” Your phone will turn your voice into text. 👉 That’s AI listening and understanding your speech. Open your Photos app. Open your Photos app. Try searching for something like “cat,” “flower,” or “food.” Your phone finds photos instantly. 👉 That’s AI recognizing what’s in your pictures. You’ve been using AI without realizing it — and you’ve been doing it very well. Activity B: Discover AI Recommendations Activity B: Discover AI Recommendations Now let’s see how AI learns your preferences. Open YouTube.Look at the videos it suggests.Ask yourself: “Why did it show me these?”👉 AI is learning what you like.Open Netflix.Scroll through “Recommended for You.”👉 AI is noticing what kinds of shows you enjoy.Open Google News or Amazon (if you use it).You’ll see products or articles based on past things you clicked.👉 This is AI trying to be helpful based on your habits. Open YouTube. Open YouTube. Look at the videos it suggests. Ask yourself: “Why did it show me these?” 👉 AI is learning what you like. Open Netflix. Open Netflix. Scroll through “Recommended for You.” 👉 AI is noticing what kinds of shows you enjoy. Open Google News or Amazon (if you use it). Open Google News or Amazon (if you use it). You’ll see products or articles based on past things you clicked. 👉 This is AI trying to be helpful based on your habits. It’s like a gentle assistant paying attention to your preferences. Activity C: Try Out Navigation AI Activity C: Try Out Navigation AI Let’s practice with Maps — another great AI helper. Open Google Maps or Apple Maps.Type in a place you know (like “grocery store”).Look at the routes it suggests: Open Google Maps or Apple Maps. Google Maps Apple Maps Type in a place you know (like “grocery store”). Look at the routes it suggests: Fastest routeShortest routeAlternate pathsTime based on traffic👉 AI is constantly checking traffic and predicting delays. Fastest route Shortest route Alternate paths Time based on traffic 👉 AI is constantly checking traffic and predicting delays. This is why Maps usually knows the best way to get somewhere. Activity D: Ask ChatGPT to Spot AI in Your Life Activity D: Ask ChatGPT to Spot AI in Your Life Mom, try typing or speaking to me: “List the ways I use AI in my daily routine.” “List the ways I use AI in my daily routine.” Then review the list and see how many you’ve already used today! 📝 QUIZ — 10 QUESTIONS (friendly tone) 📝 QUIZ — 10 QUESTIONS (friendly tone) Mom, here’s your quick check-in for today’s lesson: Which thing on your phone uses AI — the predictive text or the flashlight?When YouTube suggests videos, what is happening behind the scenes?When your phone writes down what you say aloud, that is what type of AI?Searching your photos for “dog” works because of what?What does Google Maps use AI for?What feature on Netflix uses AI?Predictive text works because your phone learns your what?How is daily-life AI designed to be — helpful or complicated?Which one does not use AI: a spam filter or a regular light switch?When a news app shows stories you might like, what is that an example of? Which thing on your phone uses AI — the predictive text or the flashlight? When YouTube suggests videos, what is happening behind the scenes? When your phone writes down what you say aloud, that is what type of AI? Searching your photos for “dog” works because of what? What does Google Maps use AI for? What feature on Netflix uses AI? Predictive text works because your phone learns your what? How is daily-life AI designed to be — helpful or complicated? Which one does not use AI: a spam filter or a regular light switch? When a news app shows stories you might like, what is that an example of? Lesson 1B — What AI Can and Cannot Do Lesson 1B — What AI Can and Cannot Do Explanatory Part Explanatory Part Mom, now that you’ve seen how to talk to AI, it’s important to understand what it can do and what it can’t. AI is wonderful at helping with everyday tasks — like writing a message, explaining how something works, finding recipes, or helping you learn something new. It can summarize long information, make things easier to understand, and even give you ideas when you’re stuck. Think of it as a very smart assistant who is always patient and always ready to help. But AI also has limits. It doesn’t “know” things the way people do, and sometimes it can misunderstand or make mistakes. It can’t replace a doctor, lawyer, or expert who can judge a situation with human experience. And even though it can guess answers, it doesn’t have feelings or personal memories. It only uses patterns from information it was trained on. This means you can enjoy its help — but you should always use your own judgment too. Mom, be careful not to put personal data about yourself into AI because that data may become public. Hands-On Activities Hands-On Activities Activity 1: Ask AI something it does well Activity 1: Ask AI something it does well Mom, try asking AI something that fits into its “strengths.” Here are a few examples you can try: “Explain how to bake a cake in simple steps.”“Help me write a birthday message for my sister.”“Give me ideas for healthy meals I can make this week.”“Explain what cholesterol is, in simple words.” “Explain how to bake a cake in simple steps.” “Help me write a birthday message for my sister.” “Give me ideas for healthy meals I can make this week.” “Explain what cholesterol is, in simple words.” You’ll notice AI gives clear, organized responses — this is something it’s very good at. Activity 2: Ask AI something it cannot do and observe the limits Activity 2: Ask AI something it cannot do and observe the limits Try asking questions where AI reaches its limits. Examples: “What will happen to me tomorrow?”“Tell me the private information about my neighbor.”“What is the best medical treatment for me?” “What will happen to me tomorrow?” “Tell me the private information about my neighbor.” “What is the best medical treatment for me?” AI will tell you it cannot do these things — and that’s exactly what you want it to do. This shows you that AI follows rules and tries to keep you safe. Activity 3: Compare the difference Activity 3: Compare the difference Ask one question that AI can answer well, and one question that AI should refuse. well Example: Good question: “Explain what high blood pressure means in simple terms.” Good question: Not allowed: “Tell me my friend’s medical records.” Not allowed: Look at the difference in responses — it helps you understand how AI makes decisions. Activity 4: Try asking AI to correct itself Activity 4: Try asking AI to correct itself Ask a question in a confusing way on purpose. Then ask it: “Did you understand my question correctly? If not, explain what you think I meant.” This shows you how AI handles unclear requests. Quiz Quiz Mom, this little quiz is just to help you check your understanding. No pressure — you can take your time. What is one thing AI is good at helping you with?Does AI have personal memories like a human?Can AI tell you private information about someone else?Should AI replace a doctor or medical professional?What should you do if AI gives you an answer that doesn’t seem right?Does AI have feelings?What’s one example of a question AI should refuse to answer?Why is it helpful to ask AI follow-up questions?When AI makes a mistake, what can you say to help it fix the answer?Why is it important to understand what AI can and cannot do? What is one thing AI is good at helping you with? Does AI have personal memories like a human? Can AI tell you private information about someone else? Should AI replace a doctor or medical professional? What should you do if AI gives you an answer that doesn’t seem right? Does AI have feelings? What’s one example of a question AI should refuse to answer? Why is it helpful to ask AI follow-up questions? When AI makes a mistake, what can you say to help it fix the answer? Why is it important to understand what AI can and cannot do? Class 2 — Lesson 2A: Understanding Prompts (How to Ask AI Clearly) Class 2 — Lesson 2A: Understanding Prompts (How to Ask AI Clearly) Explanatory Part Explanatory Part Mom, now that you’ve learned what AI can and cannot do, it’s time to show you how to ask it questions in the most helpful way. The way you ask a question is called a prompt. A good prompt helps AI understand exactly what you want. Think of it like giving directions to someone who wants to help you but doesn’t know the full story yet. The clearer you are, the better the answer will be. prompt A good prompt usually tells the AI what you want, how you want it, and any details that matter. You don’t have to write fancy sentences — you just need to be specific. For example, instead of saying “Explain this,” you can say, “Explain this in simple words, like you’re talking to someone who is learning it for the first time.” AI will adjust itself to your needs, just like a patient teacher. Hands-On Activities Hands-On Activities Activity 1: Practice “simple” prompts Activity 1: Practice “simple” prompts Ask AI something with a basic prompt. Examples you can try: “Explain what the internet is in simple words.”“Tell me how to organize my kitchen cabinets.” “Explain what the internet is in simple words.” “Tell me how to organize my kitchen cabinets.” Look at how AI responds when you ask plainly. Activity 2: Add details to make the prompt clearer Activity 2: Add details to make the prompt clearer Now try adding details. Examples: Basic prompt: “Explain high blood pressure.” Basic prompt: Better prompt: “Explain high blood pressure in simple words for someone who does not understand medical terms.” Better prompt: Another example: Basic prompt: “Give me eating tips.” Basic prompt: Better prompt: “Give me healthy eating tips for a woman in her 60s who wants simple meals.” Better prompt: Ask both versions and compare the difference in the answers — you’ll see how details help. Activity 3: Ask AI to use a style or tone Activity 3: Ask AI to use a style or tone You can tell AI how to answer. Try prompts like these: “Explain this like you’re a friendly teacher.”“Summarize this in three short sentences.”“Talk to me in a calm, supportive tone.” “Explain this like you’re a friendly teacher.” “Summarize this in three short sentences.” “Talk to me in a calm, supportive tone.” By doing this, Mom, you’re teaching the AI how you like information delivered. Activity 4: Give AI an example to copy Activity 4: Give AI an example to copy AI learns from the format you show it. Try this: “Write a list like this: Simple stepSimple stepSimple stepNow explain how to clean a microwave in the same style.” Simple step Simple step Simple step Now explain how to clean a microwave in the same style.” This helps AI mirror the structure you prefer. Activity 5: Try a “fix-my-prompt” exercise Activity 5: Try a “fix-my-prompt” exercise Write a short prompt that is unclear on purpose. For example: “Tell me about cooking.” Then ask AI: “Help me improve my prompt so I can get a clearer answer.” AI will show you how to rewrite it — this teaches you how to make stronger prompts in the future. Quiz Quiz Mom, these questions will help you check how much you understood: What is a “prompt”?Why is being specific helpful when talking to AI?What happens if your prompt is too vague or unclear?How can you ask AI to explain something more simply?Why is it useful to add details about what you want?Can you tell AI to use a special tone or style?What’s an example of a prompt with more detail added?Why might you show AI an example format?How can AI help you improve a confusing prompt?How does a clear prompt improve the answer AI gives you? What is a “prompt”? Why is being specific helpful when talking to AI? What happens if your prompt is too vague or unclear? How can you ask AI to explain something more simply? Why is it useful to add details about what you want? Can you tell AI to use a special tone or style? What’s an example of a prompt with more detail added? Why might you show AI an example format? How can AI help you improve a confusing prompt? How does a clear prompt improve the answer AI gives you? Class 3 — Lesson 3A: Everyday Uses of AI (Helping With Daily Life) Class 3 — Lesson 3A: Everyday Uses of AI (Helping With Daily Life) Explanatory Part Explanatory Part Mom, now that you know how to write clear prompts, I want to show you how AI can help you in your everyday life. AI isn’t just a tool for people who work with computers — it can help with small, ordinary things that make your day easier. For example, you can ask it to help you write a message, organize your thoughts, plan meals, make a shopping list, or understand confusing instructions. It can also help you learn new things at your own pace, without any pressure. One of the nicest things about AI is that it’s patient. You can ask it the same question many times, or ask it to slow down, or ask it to explain something more simply. It never gets tired or annoyed. It’s like having a friendly helper who sits beside you quietly, ready whenever you want to talk. The more you practice, the more comfortable and confident you’ll feel using it for small tasks and bigger ones, too. Hands-On Activities Hands-On Activities Activity 1: Write a friendly message Activity 1: Write a friendly message Try asking AI to help you write something you might send to a friend or family member. Examples you can try: “Help me write a warm message wishing my friend a good day.”“Help me write a short thank-you note.” “Help me write a warm message wishing my friend a good day.” “Help me write a short thank-you note.” You can ask it to make the tone “kind,” “cheerful,” or “simple.” Activity 2: Plan something simple Activity 2: Plan something simple Ask AI to help you plan a small activity: “Help me plan a slow morning routine.”“Help me plan a simple dinner menu for three days.”“Help me choose three easy exercises I can do at home.” “Help me plan a slow morning routine.” “Help me plan a simple dinner menu for three days.” “Help me choose three easy exercises I can do at home.” AI will create a clean, organized plan for you. Activity 3: Make a list Activity 3: Make a list Lists are one of the easiest and most helpful things AI can do. Try these: “Make a grocery list for meals that are easy to cook.”“Give me a packing list for a weekend trip.”“List five ways to improve my sleep routine.” “Make a grocery list for meals that are easy to cook.” “Give me a packing list for a weekend trip.” “List five ways to improve my sleep routine.” You can also ask: “Make the list in simple, clear language.” Activity 4: Ask AI to explain something that confuses you Activity 4: Ask AI to explain something that confuses you For example: “Explain what Wi-Fi means in simple words.”“Explain how to delete apps from my phone.”“Explain what cholesterol is.” “Explain what Wi-Fi means in simple words.” “Explain how to delete apps from my phone.” “Explain what cholesterol is.” You can tell it: “Speak slowly and clearly, like you’re talking to someone who is learning this for the first time.” Activity 5: Practice asking AI to double-check something Activity 5: Practice asking AI to double-check something AI can help review what you write. Try: “Here is my message. Can you help me check it for clarity and tone?” (Then type a sentence.) Or: “Can you make this sound more friendly?” (Then give it a message.) This shows how AI helps you polish your communication. Quiz Quiz Mom, these questions help you think about how AI fits into your daily life: What is one everyday task AI can help you with?Why is AI helpful for writing messages?What kind of tone can you ask AI to use?How can AI help you make plans?What is one type of list AI can create for you?What should you do if you don’t understand the AI’s answer?Can AI explain something in simpler words if you ask it to?How can AI help you when you are confused about instructions?Why might it be nice that AI never gets tired or annoyed?How can AI help you improve a message before you send it? What is one everyday task AI can help you with? Why is AI helpful for writing messages? What kind of tone can you ask AI to use? How can AI help you make plans? What is one type of list AI can create for you? What should you do if you don’t understand the AI’s answer? Can AI explain something in simpler words if you ask it to? How can AI help you when you are confused about instructions? Why might it be nice that AI never gets tired or annoyed? How can AI help you improve a message before you send it? Class 4 — Lesson 4B: AI for Everyday Problem-Solving Class 4 — Lesson 4B: AI for Everyday Problem-Solving Explanatory Part Explanatory Part Mom, in this lesson, we’ll explore how AI can help you solve everyday problems. Whether it’s organizing your day, finding solutions to small challenges, or getting quick answers to questions, AI can be a reliable assistant. It can help you figure out the best route to avoid traffic, suggest ways to improve your routine, and even help you troubleshoot common issues with technology or home appliances. The wonderful thing about AI is that it’s like having a helpful friend who’s always there to give you a hand. You can ask it for tips on how to make your life easier and more efficient. This lesson will show you how to use AI to find solutions and make daily tasks smoother and more enjoyable. Hands-On Activities Hands-On Activities Activity 1: Using AI for Daily Planning Activity 1: Using AI for Daily Planning Let’s see how AI can help you organize your day. Ask AI: “Help me plan my day with three main tasks.”You can also say: “What are some tips to stay productive and relaxed?” Ask AI: “Help me plan my day with three main tasks.” You can also say: “What are some tips to stay productive and relaxed?” AI will give you a structured plan and helpful suggestions. Activity 2: Troubleshooting Common Issues Activity 2: Troubleshooting Common Issues If you’re facing a small problem, AI can help you find solutions. For example: “How do I fix a slow internet connection?”“What should I do if my phone’s battery is draining quickly?” “How do I fix a slow internet connection?” “What should I do if my phone’s battery is draining quickly?” AI will guide you step-by-step to resolve common issues. Activity 3: Finding Quick Answers Activity 3: Finding Quick Answers When you have a question, AI can provide quick, reliable answers. Try asking: “What’s the best way to keep my houseplants healthy?”“How can I improve my sleep quality?” “What’s the best way to keep my houseplants healthy?” “How can I improve my sleep quality?” You’ll get clear, practical tips that you can use right away. Activity 4: AI for Health and Wellness Tips Activity 4: AI for Health and Wellness Tips AI can also help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. For instance: “Give me three simple exercises I can do at home.”“What are some healthy snack ideas?” “Give me three simple exercises I can do at home.” “What are some healthy snack ideas?” AI will suggest easy and effective ways to stay healthy. Activity 5: Exploring AI in Entertainment Activity 5: Exploring AI in Entertainment You can even use AI for fun! Ask AI: “Recommend a good movie for a relaxing evening.”“What are some fun activities I can try this weekend?” “Recommend a good movie for a relaxing evening.” “What are some fun activities I can try this weekend?” AI will offer personalized suggestions to keep you entertained. Quiz Quiz Mom, let’s review how AI can help with everyday problem-solving: How can AI assist you in planning your day?What’s one way AI can help troubleshoot a tech issue?Why is AI useful for finding quick answers?How can AI support your health and wellness?What kind of entertainment suggestions can AI provide?Can AI help you improve your routine?What’s an example of a small problem AI can solve?How does AI make daily tasks more efficient?Why is it helpful that AI is always available?How can AI make your life easier and more enjoyable? How can AI assist you in planning your day? What’s one way AI can help troubleshoot a tech issue? Why is AI useful for finding quick answers? How can AI support your health and wellness? What kind of entertainment suggestions can AI provide? Can AI help you improve your routine? What’s an example of a small problem AI can solve? How does AI make daily tasks more efficient? Why is it helpful that AI is always available? How can AI make your life easier and more enjoyable? Class 5 — Lesson 5A: The Future of AI and Ethical Considerations Class 5 — Lesson 5A: The Future of AI and Ethical Considerations Explanatory Part Explanatory Part Mom, as we wrap up our course, let’s look at the future of AI and how we can use it responsibly. AI is constantly evolving, and in the future, it will become even more integrated into our lives. It’s important to understand the ethical considerations — such as privacy, bias, and the impact of AI on society. Knowing these helps us use AI in a way that is safe, fair, and beneficial for everyone. By being aware of these ethical aspects, you’ll be able to use AI thoughtfully and confidently. This lesson will give you a glimpse into what the future holds and how we can all contribute to making AI a positive force in our world. Hands-On Activities Hands-On Activities Activity 1: Discussing AI Ethics Activity 1: Discussing AI Ethics Let’s explore what ethical AI means. Ask AI: “What are some ethical concerns with AI?”Reflect on how privacy and fairness are important. Ask AI: “What are some ethical concerns with AI?” Reflect on how privacy and fairness are important. This helps you understand the bigger picture. Activity 2: Exploring Future AI Trends Activity 2: Exploring Future AI Trends Look at how AI might evolve. Ask: “What are some upcoming AI innovations?”Discuss how AI might help in areas like healthcare, education, and daily life. Ask: “What are some upcoming AI innovations?” Discuss how AI might help in areas like healthcare, education, and daily life. This will give you an idea of what to expect. Activity 3: Practicing Responsible AI Use Activity 3: Practicing Responsible AI Use Learn how to use AI responsibly. Try asking: “How can I protect my privacy when using AI?”Consider ways to avoid bias and ensure fairness. Try asking: “How can I protect my privacy when using AI?” Consider ways to avoid bias and ensure fairness. AI can guide you on best practices. Activity 4: Reflecting on AI’s Impact Activity 4: Reflecting on AI’s Impact Think about how AI affects society. Ask: “How does AI impact jobs and communities?”Reflect on the positive and negative effects. Ask: “How does AI impact jobs and communities?” Reflect on the positive and negative effects. This will help you understand the broader impact. Quiz Quiz Mom, let’s review what we’ve learned about AI’s future and ethics: What are some ethical concerns related to AI?How can AI evolve in the future?Why is privacy important when using AI?What is one way to avoid bias in AI?How can AI benefit healthcare and education?What should we consider when using AI responsibly?How does AI impact employment?Why is fairness important in AI?What are some positive effects of AI on society?How can we ensure AI is used for good? What are some ethical concerns related to AI? How can AI evolve in the future? Why is privacy important when using AI? What is one way to avoid bias in AI? How can AI benefit healthcare and education? What should we consider when using AI responsibly? How does AI impact employment? Why is fairness important in AI? What are some positive effects of AI on society? How can we ensure AI is used for good? Class 5 — Lesson 5B: Wrapping Up and Looking Forward Class 5 — Lesson 5B: Wrapping Up and Looking Forward Explanatory Part Explanatory Part Mom, we’ve come a long way in learning about AI, and now it’s time to celebrate how much you’ve learned. In this final lesson, we’ll review everything we’ve covered, and I’ll help you see how you can continue exploring AI on your own. You’ll have the tools and confidence to use AI in your daily life, and you’ll understand how to keep learning and growing with this amazing technology. Remember, AI is always evolving, and you’re now equipped to keep up with the changes. The goal is to use AI to make life easier, more enjoyable, and more meaningful for you. Hands-On Activities Hands-On Activities Activity 1: Review and Reflect Activity 1: Review and Reflect Let’s go over what you’ve learned. Ask AI: “What are the key things I learned about AI?”Reflect on your favorite parts of the course. Ask AI: “What are the key things I learned about AI?” Reflect on your favorite parts of the course. This helps you consolidate your knowledge. Activity 2: Setting Future Goals Activity 2: Setting Future Goals Think about how you want to use AI moving forward. Ask: “How can I use AI to help me with my hobbies?”Set some personal goals for using AI in the future. Ask: “How can I use AI to help me with my hobbies?” Set some personal goals for using AI in the future. This will keep you motivated and engaged. Activity 3: Exploring New AI Tools Activity 3: Exploring New AI Tools Discover new AI tools and resources. Ask AI: “What are some new AI tools I can try?”Explore apps and websites that offer AI support. Ask AI: “What are some new AI tools I can try?” Explore apps and websites that offer AI support. This keeps you curious and informed. Activity 4: Sharing What You’ve Learned Activity 4: Sharing What You’ve Learned Help others understand AI. Consider sharing your knowledge with friends or family.Ask AI for tips on how to explain AI to someone else. Consider sharing your knowledge with friends or family. Ask AI for tips on how to explain AI to someone else. This way, you spread the knowledge and help others. Quiz Quiz Mom, let’s do a final review: What are some key things you learned about AI?How can AI help you in your daily life?What are some goals you have for using AI in the future?Why is it important to keep learning about AI?What are some new AI tools you’d like to try?How can you share your AI knowledge with others?What is one ethical consideration when using AI?How can AI make your hobbies more enjoyable?Why is it helpful to reflect on what you’ve learned?What is one way to continue exploring AI? What are some key things you learned about AI? How can AI help you in your daily life? What are some goals you have for using AI in the future? Why is it important to keep learning about AI? What are some new AI tools you’d like to try? How can you share your AI knowledge with others? What is one ethical consideration when using AI? How can AI make your hobbies more enjoyable? Why is it helpful to reflect on what you’ve learned? What is one way to continue exploring AI?
