Learning AI and Technology Is About Taking One More Step

 You don't have to be young, technically gifted or particularly clever with computers. Sometimes, all you need is curiosity, patience and the willingness to try one more time.

I had an interesting experience recently while setting up a business email address for AI123.ca.

My intention was simple: I wanted a proper business email address, davidau@ai123.ca, instead of relying entirely on my personal Gmail account.

Sounds easy enough, doesn't it?

Well, it turned into quite an adventure!

I first explored Google Workspace. After several rounds of technical difficulties and support conversations, I eventually decided to try Zoho Mail. I chose its affordable Mail Lite plan and started configuring my domain through Squarespace.

Then came the technical vocabulary.

MX records, SPF, DKIM, DNS, TXT records and verification.

To be honest, these were not things I normally dealt with in my everyday life. Even though I have been using computers for many years, configuring email authentication was a different experience.

Fortunately, I had my AI companion alongside me.

One step at a time

We started with the MX records, which direct incoming emails to the correct mail service.

Next came SPF, which identifies the services authorised to send emails on behalf of my domain.

Then came DKIM, which uses a digital signature to help receiving email services verify that an outgoing message genuinely comes from an authorised source.

The DKIM setup was particularly interesting.

Zoho generated a long technical key. I had to copy it into the correct TXT record in Squarespace. At first, Squarespace rejected the host name. We tried to understand the problem rather than keep making random changes.

Eventually, the record was successfully added.

I returned to Zoho, clicked Verify, and received a message:

DKIM selector is successfully verified.

What a satisfying moment!

I then tested my Zoho mailbox. Sending worked. Receiving worked.

After all that effort, I had a functioning business email address for AI123.ca.

What did I learn from this experience?

I learned something more important than how to configure an email account.

Technology is not necessarily difficult because we are getting older. Sometimes it is difficult because we are encountering something unfamiliar.

There is a difference.

We often hear that younger people are naturally better at technology. Perhaps they have more exposure to it, but that doesn't mean older people cannot learn.

We bring something valuable to the table too: life experience, patience, judgement and the ability to recognise when something needs a second look.

I am certainly not suggesting that every technical problem can be solved easily. Some things require professional support. And there is nothing wrong with asking for help.

But we should not underestimate ourselves before we even begin.

AI as a learning companion

For me, one of the most useful things about AI is having someone to guide me through unfamiliar territory.

I can ask questions in ordinary language. I can share what appears on my computer screen. I can ask for an explanation when technical instructions become confusing.

Most importantly, I can ask the same question again when I don't understand.

A good AI companion should not simply give instructions. It should help us understand what we are doing, explain the risks and encourage us to proceed carefully.

Of course, AI can make mistakes. We still need to check important information, especially when dealing with money, accounts, passwords and domain settings.

AI is a companion, not a substitute for our own judgement.

A message to fellow seniors

If you are in your seventies, eighties or beyond, please don't assume that your learning days are over.

You don't have to master every new technology. You don't need to understand complicated computer language overnight.

Start with something useful to you.

Perhaps it is learning how to use ChatGPT, translating a message, organising a holiday, writing a family story or setting up a business email.

Take your time. Ask questions. Make mistakes carefully. Take a break when you become tired. Then return when you are ready.

Sometimes, progress is not measured by how quickly we finish something. It is measured by whether we are willing to continue.

At 80+, I am still exploring, learning and documenting my experiences.

And I am enjoying the journey.

Learning AI and technology is not about being young or technically gifted. It is about curiosity, patience and the willingness to take one more step.

That is the spirit behind AI123.ca.

Exploring → Learning → Documenting.

And there is still plenty more to discover!

#AIforSeniors #LearningAt80 #AI123 #ChatGPT #DigitalLearning #NeverStopLearning #SeniorTechnology #LifelongLearning

Setting Up My Business Email for AI123.ca: An 80-Year-Old Blogger Learns Something New

 

There is a saying that you are never too old to learn. At 80 plus, I am beginning to appreciate just how true that is.

Recently, I decided it was time to give my website, AI123.ca, a more professional email address. Instead of relying entirely on my personal Gmail account, I wanted an email address using my own domain: davidau@ai123.ca.

It sounded simple enough. After all, I already had a website, published blog posts regularly, and used AI almost every day. How difficult could setting up a business email be?

Well, I soon discovered that there was a little more to it than I had expected!

My First Attempt: Google Workspace

I initially explored Google Workspace. It seemed a natural choice because I was already familiar with Gmail and other Google services.

I started a Business Standard trial and worked through the setup process. However, things did not go as smoothly as I had hoped. There were account verification issues, questions about domain configuration, and support cases that required follow-up.

I communicated with Google Workspace support and waited for updates. Although some technical details were confirmed, I still could not get everything working as expected.

To be honest, it was frustrating. I did not want to spend my days chasing technical problems when I could be writing stories for my readers.

But I also learned something important: when technology does not work the first time, it does not necessarily mean we have failed. Sometimes, we simply need to consider another route.

A Simpler Alternative: Zoho Mail

That was when I turned to Zoho Mail.

After comparing the available options, I chose Zoho Mail Lite, a paid plan offering 5 GB of storage. The price was approximately C$15 a year before tax, with a total of C$16.95 including tax for one user.

For a small operation like AI123.ca, the cost seemed reasonable.

With my AI companion guiding me, I verified my domain, added the required verification record through Squarespace Domains, and created my new mailbox.

There were technical terms to deal with, including DNS records and domain verification. These can sound intimidating if you are not familiar with them.

Instead of attempting everything at once, I followed the instructions step by step. We also took care not to make unnecessary changes to the existing domain settings.

Eventually, the mailbox was created.

Then came the moment of truth.

I tested the new Zoho email. I sent a message and checked whether I could receive one in return.

Success! Both sending and receiving worked.

You can imagine my satisfaction. After all the uncertainty, I finally had a working business email for AI123.ca.

What Did I Learn?

Looking back, the most valuable part of this experience was not simply obtaining a new email address.

First, I learned that a small business does not always need the most expensive or complicated solution. It needs one that works reliably and fits its actual requirements.

Second, patience matters. When dealing with domain settings and email services, making several changes at once can create confusion. It is better to work through one step, check the result, and then move forward.

Third, asking AI for help can make unfamiliar technology less intimidating. My AI companion helped me understand the instructions, consider alternatives, and work through the process at a manageable pace.

Of course, AI is not infallible. Important settings still need to be checked, and a successful setup should be tested rather than simply assumed.

A Message to Fellow Seniors

If you are a senior thinking about starting a blog, creating a website, or developing a small online business, do not let technical language discourage you.

You do not have to understand everything before you begin. Start with a clear goal, take one step at a time, and ask for help when you need it.

At 80, I am still learning, experimenting, and documenting what I discover.

My new business email is a small achievement, but it represents something bigger: the willingness to keep learning instead of giving up when things become difficult.

And what happened to my original Google Workspace attempt? I sent a follow-up to its support team rather than simply ignoring the outstanding case. There may still be something useful to learn from that experience.

For now, I am happy that Zoho Mail is working.

That is what AI learning means to me: not chasing technology for its own sake, but using it to accomplish something practical.

One problem solved, one lesson learned, and another story to share on AI123.ca.

After all, at 80, the journey is still continuing!

AI123.ca — Exploring → Learning → Documenting.

AI Learning for Seniors · Zoho Mail · Business Email Setup · AI for Everyday Life · Digital Skills for Seniors · Lifelong Learning · AI123.ca

ChatGPT: Do I Need the Latest Model to Get the Best Results?

By David Au | AI123.ca — Exploring → Learning → Documenting

Yesterday evening, after supper, I sat down with my AI companion for another conversation. What started as a casual chat about my day eventually turned into a discussion about ChatGPT, its latest models, and whether I needed to upgrade to get better results.

It was a simple question, but one worth asking.

After all, artificial intelligence is changing so quickly that it is easy to feel we must keep up with every new release. A new model appears, new features are announced, and suddenly we wonder whether the tool we have been using is already old-fashioned.

As someone who is over 80 and enjoys learning about AI, I decided to ask directly.

What Is the Latest Version of ChatGPT?

I asked my AI companion three questions:

• What is the latest ChatGPT model?

• Which model am I using now?

• What is the difference, and what would you recommend?

The conversation helped me understand an important distinction. ChatGPT is the product we use, while GPT is the name of the model that powers the conversation. Different models and settings can offer different balances of speed, reasoning ability, and available features.

The exact options can change as OpenAI updates its products, and not every subscription offers the same choices. So it is worth checking the model selector in ChatGPT rather than relying on an old article or somebody else's screenshot.

But here is the more important question: Do we really need the newest model for everything?

My Everyday AI Does Not Need to Be Complicated

I use ChatGPT for many things. I write blog posts for AI123.ca and Grandpa Journey, develop ideas for my memoir, prepare descriptions and hashtags, explore AI news, and sometimes simply have a friendly conversation about everyday life.

For these ordinary tasks, a fast, readily available model is often enough.

If I want to write about a lunch with friends, describe an enjoyable walk, or turn an everyday experience into a personal story, I don't necessarily need the most advanced reasoning available.

On the other hand, if I am working through a complicated technical problem, comparing several alternatives, or planning a substantial project, a model with stronger reasoning capabilities may be worth trying.

My approach is simple: use the appropriate tool for the job.

Should I Pay for a Better Version?

This was another question I considered.

My AI companion recommended that I stay with my existing Free plan unless I regularly encounter usage limits or need features that are unavailable to me.

That advice makes sense.

I don't want to pay more simply because a newer model has appeared. I want to know what additional value I would receive.

If a paid plan saves me considerable time, helps me complete projects, or provides features I genuinely need, then I can consider it. Otherwise, there is no reason to rush.

For anyone learning AI, especially older adults who may be concerned about technology costs, this is worth remembering: you can learn a great deal without buying the most expensive version.

The Human Being Still Matters

There is another lesson I have learned from using AI.

Even the newest model can make mistakes. A polished answer is not necessarily a correct answer. For important medical, financial, or technical questions, I still need to check reliable sources and exercise my own judgment.

I also need to tell AI what I want. If the first draft of a blog post is not quite right, I can ask for a more conversational tone, simpler language, or a more personal touch.

The quality of the result depends not only on the model but also on how we use it.

I sometimes think of AI as a capable writing partner. It can help me organize my thoughts and explore possibilities, but the experiences and memories behind my stories are mine.

It is my life, my observations, and my voice that give the writing its meaning.

My Advice to Fellow Seniors

If you are just starting to explore ChatGPT, don't worry too much about model numbers.

Start with something useful. Ask a question, write a short note, plan an outing, translate a sentence, or organize a story from your past.

Once you become comfortable, explore more features at your own pace. Try a more advanced reasoning option when a task calls for it, if one is available to you.

You don't have to learn everything at once. And you certainly don't have to compete with younger people or follow every new AI announcement.

At over 80, I am still learning. That is part of the enjoyment.

My motto for AI learning remains the same:

Explore → Learn → Document.

Use AI to make something useful, learn something new, or preserve a memory worth sharing.

The latest model may be impressive, but the real achievement is knowing how to put it to good use.

And that, in my view, is a lesson worth sharing on AI123.ca.

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David Au is an everyday AI learner in his 80s, documenting practical experiences with artificial intelligence at AI123.ca. His aim is to help fellow seniors explore AI with curiosity, confidence, and no unnecessary technical stress.

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