Understanding AI

What is AI?

AI is technology that can appear to ‘think’ in a human-like way – for example, understanding language, recognising patterns and making decisions. It’s different from other technologies because it can use data to adapt and improve over time. In other words, it can learn.

How long has AI been around?

Although we’re hearing much more about AI these days, it’s far from new. Scientists were working on AI in the 1950s. Early research projects included teaching computers to play games like chess.

However, in the last couple of years, technological advances have made AI faster, smarter and more usable in day-to-day life.

What are some examples of AI?

You might well have encountered or even used AI before, whether or not you realised it. Some examples include:

• voice assistants such as Amazon’s Alexa or Apple’s Siri
• spam filters in your email inbox
• chatbots on websites for online retailers
• streaming services that recommend TV shows or music that you might enjoy, such as BBC iPlayer or Spotify.

Recently, AI tools that people communicate with directly have become more popular. You might have heard of ChatGPT, Gemini or Copilot – AI ‘assistants’ you can chat with. While interacting with these tools can feel a lot like interacting with a real person, they’re just computer programs. They don’t have emotions or opinions, even though they’re designed to seem like they do.

How can I use AI?

AI isn’t just for tech whizzes – in many cases, it’s working away in the background of things you use already.

While everyone will use AI differently depending on the devices they have and what their needs are, here are some examples of how AI can make day-to-day life easier or more interesting.

• It can help you stay organised: you can get apps to remind you about appointments, prompt you to take medication and keep track of your to-do list.
• It can support healthcare: some NHS services now use AI-powered tools as part of telecare, enabling them to monitor things like your heart rate and blood pressure without needing you to come into a clinic.
• It can keep you handsfree: voice assistants can play music, read things out to you or call family members without you having to navigate buttons and menus.
• It can give you ideas: AI assistants can speed up finding solutions, from a recipe that uses what you have in the fridge to a holiday destination that ticks all of your boxes.

If and when you feel ready to explore what AI can do, there are lots of tools to try. Go at a pace that feels right for you – and always stay aware of keeping yourself safe. Be mindful of how you share your personal information, and never give data like passwords, your bank account number or contact details to public AI tools.

Some tools are free, while others have a cost attached. Some offer a free basic version but ask you to pay to use a more advanced version. You might need to create an account to access some tools.

Is AI dangerous?

As is the case with any powerful technology, AI can be misused. It’s important to be aware of the risks it can pose.

AI tools are very good at creating artificial content that looks genuine. This means that fake articles, photos and even videos can be created easily – and then shared online. This ‘misinformation’ can spread quickly on social media. It’s often designed to provoke strong reactions from people who see it. Remember that you can’t necessarily believe what you read or see online – especially on social media. If you’re not sure, it’s best to check trusted news sources or speak to friends or family.

By using this ability to create convincing content, AI tools can also be used for scams, mimicking people or organisations you trust. For instance, scammers could call, text or email you, pretending to be a family member or your bank. AI-powered scams can be harder to spot, but there are still things to look out for – and we have guidance on how to stay scam safe.

Is it normal to be worried about AI?

Absolutely. It’s normal to feel anxious about change – especially when it’s happening quickly. And when it’s something technical like AI, lots of people are conscious that they don't fully understand what’s going on, which can make the feeling worse.

AI raises some tricky ethical questions too. Some people worry about how much energy it consumes and the impact this has on our environment. Others worry about the impact it could have on society, such as job losses as more systems become automated.

If you’re feeling worried about AI, you’re not alone. But if your worries are starting to get on top of you, it’s important to talk to someone – whether that’s a friend, family member or healthcare professional.

How can I feel more confident online?

Regardless of whether you want to use AI, there’s plenty you can do to brush up your digital skills.

We often post articles on staying safe on the internet here on our website from getting started on a new device through to managing things like shopping and banking online. If you have tech-savvy friends and family, you could ask them to help you with your devices. Alternatively, you could give us a call on 01273 476704 and our customer services team will put you through to someone who can help.