AI123.ca — Making Artificial Intelligence Practical, One Step at a Time

 

Exploring → Learning → Documenting

Artificial intelligence is changing the world around us. New tools appear almost every week, businesses are discovering new possibilities, and people are finding different ways to use AI in their everyday lives.

But there is one question worth asking:

Are ordinary people, particularly seniors, keeping up with this remarkable development?

That question is one of the reasons I created AI123.ca.

Learning AI should not be intimidating

I am an 80+ learner who uses AI regularly. I am not a computer engineer, software developer, or technology expert. I am simply someone who remains curious about the world and enjoys learning something new.

My experience has taught me that learning AI does not require a technical background.

Sometimes, it begins with a simple question.

How can I use AI to find information? Can it help me write a letter? Can it translate a Chinese expression into English? Can it help me understand a complicated subject?

The answers are often surprisingly useful.

AI should not be something we admire from a distance. It should be something we learn to use.

What can readers find on AI123.ca?

AI123.ca is developing around several practical areas of AI learning.

1. AI in Everyday Life

Discover how AI can help with searching, planning, translating, organizing information, and solving everyday problems.

2. AI for Writing and Creativity

Explore how AI can help people express their thoughts, develop ideas, write articles, and preserve personal memories.

3. Understanding AI News and Trends

The AI industry moves quickly. We introduce developments in accessible language, helping readers understand what is happening without becoming overwhelmed by technical terminology.

4. AI Ethics and Responsible Use

AI is powerful, but it is not infallible. Accuracy, privacy, human judgment, and responsible use deserve our attention.

5. Exploring the Future of AI

We look beyond today's applications to consider how artificial intelligence might influence education, business, communication, and our daily lives.

Technology should bring people together

One thing I have learned through my journey is that technology is most valuable when it helps people.

A senior who learns to use AI may become more confident communicating with family members. Someone who struggles with writing may discover a new way to express personal experiences. A small business owner may find opportunities to work more efficiently.

These are meaningful results.

I also believe that language should never become a barrier to learning. English and Chinese speakers alike should have opportunities to explore AI and benefit from its development.

An independent learning journey

AI123.ca is not intended to promote every new AI product that appears in the marketplace.

Our approach is to explore useful tools, learn through practical experience, and share observations with readers.

Where appropriate, we may introduce products and services through affiliate partnerships. If readers purchase through qualifying links, the website may receive a commission at no additional cost to them.

Our intention is to maintain transparency and introduce products that are relevant to our readers.

Trust matters more than a sales pitch.

A little curiosity goes a long way

I often remind myself that learning does not have an age limit.

At 80+, I am still exploring, learning, documenting, and sharing. AI has made writing and researching more accessible and enjoyable for me. It has also encouraged me to continue asking questions.

I hope AI123.ca can offer the same encouragement to others.

You do not need to understand everything about artificial intelligence. You do not need to become a technology expert.

Start with one question. Try one useful application. Learn one new thing.

And then take another step.

AI123.ca — Exploring → Learning → Documenting.

AI learning for everyone. No tech stress, just results.

Hashtags:

#AI123 #ArtificialIntelligence #AILearning #AIForSeniors #DigitalLiteracy #EverydayAI #SeniorLearning #ResponsibleAI #AIEducation #LifelongLearning

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