Consultant Tells Seniors: AI Is Here to Stay, And It’s Already Shaping Your World
Consultant Tells Seniors: AI Is Here to Stay, And It’s Already Shaping Your World
Publish Date: 2026-05-08 14:26:00
Source Domain: swampscotttides.org
Ryan Wolff, senior consultant of AI and strategic innovation at AAFCPAs, spoke with the Swampscott Senior Center audience Thursday, answering residents’ questions and concerns about artificial intelligence and how it may affect their daily lives.
Artificial intelligence, or AI, refers to technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human thinking, including learning, problem-solving and pattern recognition. The technology can analyze large datasets, generate content and carry out programmed tasks. While tools like ChatGPT and Gemini are among the most widely known, Wolff noted there are many others.
“AI is relatively new technology as far as how popular it is, but the concept behind it is not new,” Wolff said. “It’s been around for a while. It just has not been as widely available as it is right now. It’s basically just a very challenging computer and can search a lot of information really, really quickly to turn that information around to you into something that will make sense.”
Wolff told the audience that AI is already being used in ways many people may not realize.
“There’s a very good chance that your tax return will probably be reviewed by AI,” Wolff said.
He explained that the technology can scan documents at a high level to identify potential red flags. Beyond financial uses, AI can also help with everyday tasks, from suggesting meals based on what’s in a refrigerator to summarizing multiple articles in seconds.
The audience raised questions about AI’s ability to take over the job industry.
“There’s obviously a lot of jobs that require humans to do them: construction, nursing, a lot of those in person physical jobs. You’re not going to have AI take those away,” Wolff said. “The jobs that it is coming for are really those low-level ones. You already have self-checkout at grocery stores. If you go to Fenway Park, they have something where you can put a beer down and it just takes a…
