Staying hip with your grandkids doesn’t have to mean mastering AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude. Focus on developing basic software-enabled communication skills instead.
As a retiree, you want to stay close to your grandkids and avoid feeling left behind in the digital age. You’re worried that not learning how to use AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude will make you seem outdated. However, I’m here to tell you that’s not the case.
Grandchildren play a significant role in family dynamics, bringing joy and energy to their families.
Studies show that grandparents who are involved in their grandchildren's lives have better mental and physical health.
In many cultures, grandparent-child relationships are considered essential for passing down traditions, values, and life experiences.
According to the US Census Bureau, there are over 70 million grandchildren under the age of 18 living with a grandparent.
Our culture has shifted towards opposing the use of generative AI tools due to their environmental impact, ethical concerns over data scraping, and the sludginess of their outputs. In fact, admitting you don’t use chatbot tools might even boost your cool factor with your grandkids. They may view it as a sign that you’re not trying to keep up with the latest trends.
Moreover, there’s evidence suggesting that excessive use of AI chatbots can erode our social skills. A recent study by OpenAI found that frequent ChatGPT users became emotionally dependent on the chatbot’s company. If you want to foster better connections with your family, generative AI should be near the bottom of your list of essential tools to learn.
Social skills refer to the abilities required for effective communication and interaction with others.
These skills include verbal and non-verbal cues, such as active listening, empathy, and conflict resolution.
Developing strong social skills is essential in personal and professional settings, leading to better relationships, improved communication, and increased confidence.
Instead, focus on developing basic software-enabled communication skills like texting, emailing, video calling, and using social media effectively. These skills will help you feel more connected online and give you a better understanding of what your grandkids are doing day-to-day.
Communication is the process of exchanging information, ideas, and messages between individuals or groups through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior.
It involves sending and receiving messages with the intention of conveying meaning and understanding.
Effective communication requires clear expression, active listening, and empathy to ensure that messages are conveyed accurately and received as intended.
If you’re interested in experimenting with AI tools, consider using them with your family members for education and entertainment. You can have a fun bonding experience together, making funny poems or refining prompts to see what the AI can do. ChatGPT‘s voice mode is entertaining, but it may feel odd at first. However, once you get used to it, it can be enjoyable to ask it to teach you phrases in different languages.
Before traveling, I spent hours practicing speaking Japanese with ChatGPT. While it’s not a perfect tutor, the process was quite enjoyable. Keep in mind that chatbots often fabricate information or provide inaccurate search results. Be cautious when relying on these tools and always double-check your findings through a simple Google search.
Lastly, remember that AI chatbots are massive tools that memorize human writing patterns and interactions with the intention of mimicking them. While their mimicry may be stunning, the expressions are ultimately hollow.
Take a moment to genuinely think about your relationship with your grandkids. They love you for who you are, and what kind of software you use shouldn’t have any impact on that. Life is too short to be caught up in our anxieties about how others view us. Give them a call or send them an Instagram DM and tell them how you feel – it’s worth it.
