20 terms worth knowing
Each term comes with a plain definition and a real-world parallel drawn from the telephone era — because the technology may be new, but the patterns are not. Tap any term to open it.
Computer systems that perform tasks that normally require human thinking.
Familiar parallelLike automated switching systems that route calls without a human operator — but for thinking instead of phone calls.
A computer program you can have a typed conversation with.
Familiar parallelLike the automated phone menus you already know — but now it understands full sentences instead of just button presses.
The text you type to give AI its instructions.
Familiar parallelLike telling the operator exactly who you needed to reach — the clearer the request, the better the result.
Step-by-step rules a computer follows to make decisions.
Familiar parallelLike the call-routing tables that told switching equipment how to get a call from point A to point B.
AI-generated fake video or audio that looks and sounds completely real.
Familiar parallelLike caller-ID spoofing — but for video and voice. Scammers use this to target grandparents, so treat shocking clips with caution.
The AI technology behind chatbots like Claude and ChatGPT.
Familiar parallelLike a telephone directory for all of human knowledge — but it reads, understands, and responds.
AI that improves itself by learning from examples.
Familiar parallelLike a veteran technician getting better at diagnosing problems the more problems they solved.
A popular AI chatbot made by OpenAI, launched in November 2022.
Familiar parallelLike the iPhone moment for AI — not the first, but the one that made everyone say "this changes everything."
An AI assistant made by Anthropic, designed to be helpful, harmless, and honest.
Familiar parallelLike the choice between phone carriers — several companies competing to build the best AI assistant.
The information AI systems learn from.
Familiar parallelLike signal quality — the better the input, the better the output. Garbage in, garbage out.
A computer system loosely modeled after the human brain.
Familiar parallelLike the layered phone network — local exchanges, regional switching, long distance — each layer processing and passing information along.
AI that creates new content — text, images, music.
Familiar parallelThe old systems transmitted existing signals. Generative AI creates something new — like a telephone that writes the message for you.
When AI confidently states something that is completely false.
Familiar parallelLike static or a crossed line mixing wrong information into an otherwise clear signal. Always verify important facts.
Your right to control what AI collects about you.
Familiar parallelLike guarding against an unauthorized phone tap — data collection is the modern version. Read the privacy policies.
AI that duplicates anyone's voice from just seconds of audio.
Familiar parallelThis powers the grandparent scam — a fake "grandchild" voice asking for emergency money. Protection: agree on a family code word.
AI performing tasks people used to do by hand.
Familiar parallelYou lived this once — automated switching replaced human telephone operators. The same transformation is now happening everywhere.
When AI produces unfair results because of prejudiced training data.
Familiar parallelLike infrastructure that was deliberately not built in certain communities — technology reflecting and amplifying inequality.
Processing your data on remote servers you reach over the internet.
Familiar parallelLike moving from local switching equipment to massive centralized facilities — same idea, digital era.
AI code shared publicly for anyone to examine and use.
Familiar parallelThe opposite of one company holding all the patents — sharing the technology so smaller organizations can take part.
Laws controlling how AI is developed and used.
Familiar parallelLike the Telecommunications Act of 1996 — same arguments, same challenges, the same pattern playing out again.
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Get the full guideThe five AI scams targeting seniors
The most urgent dangers facing older adults online right now — and exactly how to protect yourself.
Voice-cloning grandparent scam
AI can clone a voice from seconds of audio. Scammers call pretending to be a grandchild in distress, and the voice sounds completely real.
- Agree on a family secret code word only real family knows.
- Hang up and call your grandchild directly on their known number.
- Never wire money or buy gift cards from an emergency call.
AI-generated phishing emails
Old scam emails had obvious typos. AI now writes perfect, personalized messages that may even reference real details from your social media.
- Never click links in emails — type the website address yourself.
- When in doubt, call the organization on its official number.
Deepfake video scams
AI can make realistic video of real people — doctors, celebrities, trusted figures — saying things they never said, to promote scams.
- If a video seems too shocking or too good to be true, it probably is.
- Verify through independent, official channels before believing it.
AI romance scams
Sophisticated chatbots pose as romantic interests, building trust over months before ever asking for money.
- Be cautious of online relationships that never meet in person.
- Never send money to someone you've only met online.
Fake AI health advice
AI chatbots can give confident, incorrect medical advice to people searching their symptoms online.
- Always verify health information with a licensed professional.
- Treat AI as a starting point for research — never a medical authority.
The one rule that covers them all
Print it. Post it by the phone. Share it widely.
"If it creates urgency, asks for money, or requests personal information — stop. Call a trusted person first. Always."