A senior moment with AI
https://news.miami.edu/stories/2026/02/a-senior-moment-with-ai.html
Publish Date: 2026-02-03 14:25:00
Source Domain: news.miami.edu
For Lilly Lopez, a retired CPA, artificial intelligence (AI) provides a way to learn about medical terms her doctor used when giving her a diagnosis.
For Evelyn Sklar, a retired radiologist, AI keeps her up to date with the latest medical advances.
But for Dale Moses, 77, the AI chatbot offered a more practical solution to a personal dilemma.
“I went to see a film called ‘Dead Language,’ and I did not understand it at all,” she said. “It was weird. So, I asked ChatGPT for an explanation, and then I understood it.”
Lopez, Sklar, and Moses are all retirees navigating the world of artificial intelligence by taking a class at the University of Miami’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). The class, called “What is Artificial Intelligence: From Origins to Modern Applications,” has attracted 40 participants.
The instructor, Joan Nurse, is a veteran teacher with over 20 years of experience in the computer world. She worked as a senior computer programmer at FedEx and AT&T.
She said the goal of the class is not only to teach students how to use artificial intelligence but also to explain its origins, how it functions, and the pros and cons of this newest technology, which mimics human intelligence.
“AI is a part of our lives whether we know it or not, and we are all affected by it,” she said. “AI is like computers were many years ago, when many people rejected them, and now they are a part of our everyday life. Our iPhones are small computers.”
In a recent class, students exchanged stories about their use of AI, including applications like ChatGPT and Claude.
OLLI attracts people who are 50 years old and above, who are semiretired or retired, and want to keep learning for the joy of learning. So the time spent in class is not only listening to the professor but also exchanging stories that often enhance the teachings.
“That is what I love about this place,” said Gary Lubel, a retired…
