Are you afraid of technology?

I spent my lunch hour listening to a seminar on, "Is AI About to REPLACE Human Writers? Join Us for a Very Special Briefing with FIVE of the Industry’s TOP Experts and Discover the Answers You NEED Right Now" Whoa. A long title, right? It featured copywriters and marketers who weighed in on how artificial intelligence (AI) will affect all of us. The conversation was narrowed to ChatGPT, an AI-powered chatbot developed by OpenAI. It uses advanced language processing algorithms to generate human-like responses to user inputs. The chatbot is trained on a massive amount of text data and can answer questions, have conversations, and even generate text on its own. ChatGPT is designed to be integrated with other applications through APIs, allowing developers to add conversational capabilities to their products and services. OK, I asked ChatGPT to explain itself and the above is the answer. If you are interested, GPT stands for generative pre-training transformer. This is why I rely on others to be the tech people and I’ll use what they produce. The seminar was informative and helpful. Technology can be intimidating. I have an OpenAI account, it’s free currently for most people. It is fun to use, testing out questions and refining the answers with more questions. Basically, just me and artificial intelligence chatting.

But what about you? Are you afraid of technology? Does the thought of testing out another bit of software send you spiraling or binge-watching a new series on a streaming service?

As technology continues to advance, it can be intimidating to keep up. But don’t worry. Embracing new technology is a matter of small steps taken in double doses. Here are some tips if you are hesitant to jump into the digital age.

  • Start small. Pick one new technology or device and take it slow. Get to know how it works before trying it out more. This can help you gain confidence and get comfortable with the new technology.
  • Take a class. Many communities offer classes or workshops on new technologies. This is a great way to learn in a structured environment and ask questions. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to meet others who may also be new to technology.
  • Use it in your daily life. Once you have a basic understanding of new technology, incorporate it into your daily routine. This can be as simple as checking email on your phone or using a GPS navigation system while driving.
  • Get help from friends or family. If you have friends or family members who are tech-savvy, ask for their help. They may be able to give you a quick lesson or guide you through the process.
  • Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Mistakes are a natural part of learning. Be patient with yourself and keep trying. Learning is not instant gratification it requires dedication and diligence. You'll get the hang of it in no time.
  • Look for tutorials and online resources. The internet is a treasure trove of information and tutorials on just about every technology out there. Take advantage of this and learn at your own pace.
  • Practice, practice, practice. The more you use technology, the more comfortable and confident you will become. So go ahead and experiment. The more you practice, the easier it will get.

In conclusion, technology can seem overwhelming at first. Start small, take a class, use it in your daily life, get help from friends and family, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, look for tutorials and online resources, and practice, you can embrace new technology with confidence. Or at least you can snap a few pics and send them along to friends.

Resources to get you started:

·         YouTube- is a free resource for all kinds of how-to videos from metal detectorists to knitting. Want to learn more about your new iPhone? Type in, “How can I use my iPhone?” And see what pops up.

·         Coursera- Coursera partners with more than 275 leading universities and companies to bring flexible, affordable, job-relevant online learning to individuals and organizations worldwide. They offer free classes and degree programs.

·         Alison- Alison offers over 4000 free online courses across nine distinct categories. They offer free classes and degree programs.

·         Udemy- is a popular online learning platform with over 130,000 courses that can help you advance your career or learn a new skill.

·         Community colleges and libraries- research local area colleges and libraries for classes. Sometimes they are free or charge a small fee. 


Interested in ChatGPT? Sign up here and test it out. Ask questions and watch what happens.

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