Peter Matthews
I have signed up for ChatGPT.
According to itself, ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence (AI) program that can generate human-like responses to natural language queries. So I said: please write 500 words on ‘Why the world is confusing for older people’ for my newspaper opinion column.
ChatGPT then wrote 530 words on the subject. Here are 396 of them:
“As the world becomes increasingly fast-paced and technologically advanced, many older adults are finding themselves struggling to keep up. From the prevalence of social media and digital communication to the rise of automation and artificial intelligence, the world can be a confusing and overwhelming place for seniors. In this opinion column, we will explore why the world is confusing for older people and what we can do to help them navigate it more easily.
“First and foremost, technology is a major source of confusion for many older adults. While younger generations have grown up using smartphones, tablets, and other digital devices, many seniors did not have access to these tools until later in life. As a result, they may find it difficult to navigate new software and hardware, leading to frustration and confusion. Additionally, the rapid pace of technological change makes it challenging for seniors to keep up.
“Another factor that contributes to confusion for older adults is the increasing complexity of society. From the tax code to healthcare policies, many of the systems and processes that we rely on in our daily lives have become more complex and difficult to navigate. This can be especially challenging for seniors who may be dealing with health issues or other limitations that make it harder for them to handle these kinds of tasks.
“Additionally, the changing social norms and expectations of modern society can be confusing for older adults. With the rise of social media and online communication, younger generations are often more comfortable with sharing personal information and engaging with strangers online. For many seniors, this can be a difficult adjustment, as they may not understand the etiquette and norms of these new forms of communication.
“So what can we do to help older adults navigate the confusing world we live in? One important step is to provide education and support for seniors who are struggling to keep up with technology and other aspects of modern society. This can include offering classes on digital literacy, providing tutorials on how to use new software or hardware, and offering one-on-one support to help seniors navigate complex systems and processes.
“Additionally, we can work to create more inclusive communities sensitive to the needs of older adults. This can include providing accessible transportation options, creating opportunities for social interaction, and advocating for policies that support the health and well-being of seniors.”
As a self-taught computer coder I can appreciate the amount of binary heavy lifting that is going on in the background here, and the result is quite astounding.
Nevertheless, I don’t know about you, but I think human writers are safe for the time being.
