Summary of the Core Content
This news story recounts how an 83-year-old man overcame the stereotype that older adults either get scammed or fail to learn AI by using a "guerrilla" approach of self-study through free courses. In just one year, with 7-8 hours of daily dedication, he mastered basic AI skills such as image generation, virtual avatar creation, and memoir writing. The story also exposes the current scamming in AI courses targeting the elderly, as well as their real needs for easy-to-use tools that are low-barrier, error-tolerant, and stress-free. It ultimately reflects on the proper relationship between humans and technology: technology should serve us, not cause anxiety.
The 83-Year-Old Man's AI “Guerrilla Tactics”: Can You Learn Without Spending Money?
Many believe that the elderly are easily tricked into paying for AI courses, but this grandfather took a different approach: he would sign up for free courses until they became paid and then withdraw. His strategy was simple: he would browse for free AI course ads on Douyin (TikTok), join the groups to listen to the basic lessons for 5 days, and then immediately leave when the instructor started promoting more expensive advanced courses. He changed instructors four or five times in total, and although he had to repeat the basic content, he felt that hearing it multiple times helped him remember better since he had nothing else to do.
What’s even more surprising is his level of commitment: he spent 2-3 hours per day in class, took notes for another 2-3 hours, and reviewed in the early morning for nearly a year. His friends would ask him to play cards, but he always said he was in class. This stress-free learning approach—without the pressure of making money or meeting KPIs, and simply to prevent dementia—helped him gradually build his AI knowledge. He started by using AI as a reference tool and eventually learned to use it to create virtual avatars that could sing, write about his time working in an oil field, and even comment on the poorly crafted AI-generated images (such as a “panda that wasn’t really a panda”).
The Real Needs of the Elderly When Learning AI: Not About “Trends,” but About “Fun” and “Usefulness”
While younger people often learn AI for financial gain or career advancement, this grandfather’s needs were much more practical:
1. Time Passer and Dementia Prevention: “I learn when I have nothing to do; it’s good for my brain.” He had no anxiety and didn’t aim for mastery.
2. Practical Tools: He used AI to look up historical information, learn cooking recipes, and write about his work experiences in the oil field.
3. Entertainment: He created virtual avatars to sing and made animal images for fun.
His attitude towards AI was practical: he kept the tools that worked well and deleted those that didn’t. This pragmatic approach is much clearer than the anxiety many younger people experience regarding AI trends.
The Traps in AI Courses for the Elderly: Using “Anxiety” to Profit
Why do so many elderly people fall for AI course scams? Because the market exploits their fears:
- Manipulative Language: Phrases like “You’ll fall behind if you don’t learn now,” “AI is a trending field; you can make money,” and “The discount only lasts for 2 hours” target their fear of being left behind.
- Poor Course Quality: Pre-recorded lectures, reading from PPTs, and selling advanced courses before covering the basics adequately.
- Debt Induction: Scammers take advantage of the elderly’s unfamiliarity with installment payments, leading them to incur consumer loans.
These scams succeed because the needs of the elderly are often overlooked by mainstream AI products, which are designed for younger users (efficiency-focused, full of technical jargon, and complex to use). As a result, the elderly are vulnerable to scam courses.
What Kind of AI Do the Elderly Need? Low Barrier and High Tolerance for Errors
From the grandfather’s experience, it’s clear that what they need is simple:
1. Low Barrier: Easy to use, similar to chatting on WeChat—just type or speak, no need for complex commands.
2. High Tolerance for Errors: Friendly error messages (e.g., “You can try adding ‘panda, black and white, cute’ as prompts” when an image fails) instead of leaving them to figure it out on their own.
3. Slow Pace: Courses should not rush users into paying; give them enough time to understand the content (the grandfather changed free courses because he didn’t want to feel pressured into buying).
However, current AI products are often designed for young users who are already familiar with computers and technical terms. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the population over 60 years old will exceed 300 million by 2025—such a large group should not be excluded from technology.
The Relationship Between Humans and AI: Don’t Let Anxiety Drive You; Technology Is a Tool
What’s most touching about this grandfather’s story is his relaxed attitude towards AI:
- He doesn’t see AI as a revolution or threat, but just something new to embrace.
- He isn’t anxious about losing his job because he doesn’t rely on it for his livelihood.
- He takes control of the situation: he learns for free, uses what works, and discards what doesn’t.
In contrast, many young people are anxious about being replaced by AI and give up on courses they pay for. The relationship between humans and technology should be one where technology serves us, and we decide how to use it. Just like the grandfather treated radios and televisions—use them if they’re helpful, keep them if not, but don’t treat them as a trend or an enemy.
This 83-year-old man’s story reminds us that AI is not exclusive to the young or a tool for creating anxiety. For the elderly, it can be a tool to prevent dementia; for the young, it can improve efficiency. The key is not to let anxiety take control of our relationship with technology.
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Source: WeChat Official Account “Nao Jiti,” Author: Shan Hu