Free plain-English lessons
AI for everyday life, explained kindly
Short, free lessons for adults of every age. Learn what AI is, try it safely, check what it tells you, and spot the scams that use it. No jargon, no sign-up, no rush.
- Each lesson takes about 5 minutes
- Every lesson prints on one page
- Nothing to sign up for
Where would you like to start?
Tick how you feel about each one. We will suggest the lessons that will help most. There are no wrong answers.
The lessons
Read them in order or pick the one you need today. Each has a "try this" step, a safety tip and a printable page.
- Lesson 1What AI is, and what it is notA plain explanation of what people mean by AI, where you already meet it, and what it cannot do.
- Lesson 2Trying a chatbot safelyHow to have a first go with an AI chatbot, without giving away anything you would regret.
- Lesson 3Writing a good questionSmall changes to how you ask make a big difference to the answer you get.
- Lesson 4Checking answers: AI can be wrongWhy AI makes mistakes that sound convincing, and a simple habit for checking what it tells you.
- Lesson 5Privacy: what not to type inA short list of things never to share with a chatbot, and how to ask for help without them.
- Lesson 6Spotting AI scams, deepfakes and voice-clone callsScammers now use AI to copy faces and voices. Here is how to stop, check and stay safe.
- Lesson 7AI for letters and formsUse a chatbot to draft a letter, explain a confusing word or tidy up an email, while you stay in charge.
- Lesson 8AI for health information: always check with a doctorHow a chatbot can help you prepare for an appointment, and why it must never replace your doctor.
- Lesson 9AI for photos and memoriesRestoring old photos, writing captions and recording family stories, with care for other people's privacy.
- Lesson 10Helping grandchildren with homework, fairlyHow to use AI to help a child learn, without doing their work for them or breaking school rules.
- Lesson 11Using AI at work as a beginnerYour workplace may already use AI. A calm first step, the rules to ask about, and what to keep out of it.
- Lesson 12Where to get helpFree, trusted places to learn more, ask questions and report problems.
Safe or scam?
Scammers now use AI to copy voices, faces and real-looking messages. Practise spotting them, gently, with everyday examples. Nobody sees your answers.
Phone call: Unknown number
"Nan, it's me. I've been in a car accident and I need $3,000 for the lawyer today. Please don't tell Mum." The voice sounds just like your grandson.
Safe, or a scam?
Why this matters
Many Australians are only starting out with AI, and older people are most likely to be left behind.
of Australian workers surveyed are already using at least one AI tool at their jobs.
of them are still beginners. Only 7% have what the researchers call advanced AI literacy.
of Boomers in the survey had not completed any AI training in the past year, compared with 22% of Millennials.
Learning with a group?
We run plain-English sessions for libraries, community centres, seniors groups and workplaces, at your group's pace.
Free help you can trust
Be Connected has free government lessons for older Australians on staying safe online. To check or report a scam, go to Scamwatch.