AI Made Simple

A friendly first look at the tools everyone's talking about. No computer skills required.

Nipomo Senior Center
with James Clarke, ConfidentAI

Hi, I'm James.

I live right up the road in Los Osos.
I help small local businesses set up AI tools.
Today is about you, your phone, and your family.

This is CAi. He shows up when something is worth remembering.

Our two hours

What AI really is
Let's ask it things
Game: Human or AI?
Ten-minute break
AI in your pocket
Staying safe
Starting tomorrow
All your questions

There's nothing you can break today. If something goes wrong, it's my fault, and it'll probably be funny.

Raise your hand if…

…you've heard of ChatGPT

…you've tried an AI app yourself

…you're a little nervous about it

1

What is AI, really?

Ten minutes, no jargon. Promise.

It's autocomplete, all grown up.

Your phone guesses your next word. AI read a library's worth of writing, and got very good at guessing what comes next.

See you at the…

partystorepark

A very well-read helper

Good at

Explaining things simply
Writing and rewording
Ideas, recipes, plans
Answering follow-up questions

Not so good at

This morning's news, unless it looks it up
Knowing your personal accounts
Knowing when it's wrong
Replacing your doctor

CAi says: remember this one

It can be confidently wrong.

It sounds just as sure when it's wrong as when it's right. Treat it like a bright new helper: useful, but you check the important stuff.

Question corner

Questions so far?

2

Let's ask it things.

You call out the ideas. I'll do the typing.

Live demo

What's in your fridge?

I have eggs, half an onion, some spinach, cheddar cheese, and leftover rice. What's an easy dinner for one person?

Then we'll talk back to it: "I don't like onions. Change it."

Cheesy spinach fried rice. Soften the chopped onion in a little oil for 3 minutes. Add the rice and stir until hot. Push it aside, scramble an egg in the empty spot, then mix it all together. Stir in spinach until it wilts and top with cheddar. About 15 minutes, one pan.

Live demo

Explain it to me

Explain what "the cloud" means, like you're talking to a smart friend who hasn't used computers much.

Then: "Now explain it using a bank."

"The cloud" just means your stuff is kept on someone else's computer instead of yours. Your photos "in the cloud" are stored on a big, well-guarded computer owned by a company like Apple or Google. That's why you can see them on a new phone. It's like keeping money in a bank instead of under the mattress.

Live demo

A poem for a grandkid

Write a short, funny birthday poem for my granddaughter Emma, who is turning 9 and loves horses.

Give me a real name and a hobby from the room. Then: "Add a joke about cake."

Happy birthday, Emma, now you're nine, You gallop through life and you're doing just fine. If a pony showed up at your party today, We'd have to hide the cake, or he'd eat it, then neigh.

Live demo

Plan a day out

Plan an easy, relaxed day trip from Nipomo for two people who don't want to do much walking.

Great ideas, but remember slide 8: call ahead before you drive anywhere.

Morning: coffee and a short, flat stroll in the Arroyo Grande Village. Lunch: drive to Avila Beach and eat somewhere with a view of the water. Afternoon: a slow look at the Pismo Beach pier, with benches along the way. Call ahead to check hours, since they change by season.

Your turn

What should we ask it?

Something you've always wondered about
Help with a note, card, or email
A gift idea for someone hard to shop for
Settle a friendly family argument

3

Game: Human or AI?

Two short pieces of writing. One was written by AI. Hands up for A or B.

Round 1: a thank-you note

Which one is AI?

AI wrote this

A

Dear Margaret, thank you so much for the beautiful hand-knitted scarf. The thoughtful colors and careful craftsmanship truly reflect your kindness. I will treasure it always. With heartfelt gratitude, Susan

AI wrote this

B

Marg, the scarf! I wore it to the grocery store and a stranger asked where I got it. I said my friend made it and she didn't believe me. It's a little itchy but I don't care. Lunch soon? Sue

Polished, no real details, and words like "truly" and "heartfelt."

Round 2: a restaurant review

Which one is AI?

AI wrote this

A

Went for the clam chowder, stayed for the waitress who called everyone "hon." Chowder was fine, the bread bowl was better. Parking is a nightmare on Saturdays. Four stars. Would hon again.

AI wrote this

B

This charming seaside eatery offers a delightful clam chowder served in a fresh sourdough bread bowl. The friendly staff and relaxed atmosphere make it the perfect spot for a casual lunch by the water. Highly recommended!

It reads like an ad: "charming," "delightful," "the perfect spot."

Round 3: a funny little update

Careful, this one's tricky

AI wrote this

A

Ok so I finally tried pickleball. Lost every single game. Pulled something in my shoulder. Already signed up for next week. Send help.

AI wrote this

B

My grandson set up my new phone and now it tells me the weather every morning. I did not ask it to. I have not figured out how to make it stop. It's growing on me.

Tell AI to sound casual, and it can. That's why we don't trust a message just because it sounds like a real person.

Round 4: a little ocean poem

Last one

AI wrote this

A

The fog came in at four again and ate the pier, the gulls, the men. I made my tea and watched it go the way it does out here: real slow.

AI wrote this

B

Waves of silver, endless blue, Whispering secrets old and new, The ocean's song forever plays, A timeless dance through all our days.

Pretty, but general: "whispering secrets," "timeless dance."

Ten-minute break

10:00

Stretch, grab a coffee, and come ask me anything.

4

AI in your pocket

Your phone's camera and microphone can talk to AI too.

Live demo

Point your camera at it

[photo of a houseplant] What plant is this, and how often should I water it?

Also try it on: a bird, a menu in another language, the tiny print on a label.

"This looks like a pothos, one of the easiest houseplants there is. Water it when the top inch of soil feels dry, about once a week. It likes bright light but not direct sun. Yellow leaves usually mean too much water."

Live demo

Read the fine print

SEASIDE VALLEY WATER COMPANYPursuant to Section 14.3 of the Customer Service Agreement, account holders within Service Zone 4 are hereby notified that legacy metering apparatus will be decommissioned and replaced with Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) units. Customers must establish an installation appointment no later than 30 days from the date of this notice. Failure to schedule may result in a temporary interruption of service…

Explain this letter in plain English. What do I have to do, and by when?

For a real letter, use the phone number printed on the letter, not one the AI gives you.

"Your water company is swapping your old water meter for a new digital one. Call them within 30 days to book a time for the install. If you don't, your water might be shut off for a while during the work. Your bill won't change."

Live demo

Just talk to it.

Tap the microphone. Ask out loud. It answers out loud.

When your hands are busy cooking
When typing on a small screen is hard
To practice a little Spanish before a trip

Magic phrases

You can always talk back. Try these:

Explain that more simply.

Make it shorter.

Give me three options.

Ask me questions first.

Question corner

What's on your mind?

5

Staying safe

The tools are new. The tricks are old.

A voice that sounds like family

Scammers can copy a voice from a short video posted online. Watch for a call that:

Is in a big hurry
Needs money, gift cards, or a wire transfer
Says "please don't tell anyone"

CAi says: do this tonight

Pick a family code word.

A silly word only your family knows, like "pickle jar." If anyone calls asking for money, ask for the word. No word, no money.

Scam or legit? Round 1

Hands up: scam? legit?

Text from +1 (209) 555-0143

USPS: Your package could not be delivered due to an incomplete address. Update within 12 hours: usps-redelivery-help.com

Your guess?

Scam

A rush: "within 12 hours"
A link you weren't expecting
A web address that's almost right

Scam or legit? Round 2

Hands up: scam? legit?

Incoming call

Unknown number

"Grandma, it's me. I'm in trouble. I got in a car accident and I need money for bail. Please don't tell Mom."

Your guess?

Scam

Panic, money, and secrecy all at once
Ask for the code word
Hang up and call them back on their real number

Scam or legit? Round 3

Hands up: scam? legit?

Text from your pharmacy

Your refill is ready for pickup at your pharmacy. Reply STOP to opt out.

Your guess?

Probably legit

No link, no money, no personal info asked
Still unsure? Call the pharmacy yourself

Scam or legit? Round 4

Hands up: scam? legit?

Your guess?

Scam

Real companies don't put phone numbers in pop-ups
Close the browser, or just turn it off

Never share these

Not with a chatbot, not with a caller, not with a text.

Social Security number

Bank or card numbers

Passwords

Medicare number

Pause. Hang up. Call back on a number you know.

Double-check with a real person

HealthYour doctor or pharmacist

MoneyYour bank, using the number on your card

Legal papersSomeone you trust, before you sign

AI is great for understanding the words and preparing your questions. The decision stays with you.

6

Start tomorrow

One app, five small tries, no pressure.

Pick one free app

ChatGPT

Gemini

Claude

Copilot

All have free versions. Pick the one your family uses, so they can help you.

This week's homework

Ask for a recipe from what's in your fridge
Have it explain one confusing letter
Write a note to a grandkid together
Ask something you've always wondered about
Tell your family your code word

Your questions

Nothing is too basic. Really.

Thank you, Nipomo!

Thanks to Pat and the Nipomo Senior Center for having us.

James Clarke, ConfidentAI

805-457-5105

james@confidentcai.com

Flip your handout over. Everything from today is on it.