AI and Utilizing Expertise

Older people have a lifetime of knowledge and expertise; there are many ways this can be utilized to either provide continued income or to help future generations. Here are some ideas for how AI could help older adults utilize their existing skills and expertise even if they are no longer working:

Skill Monetization

Knowledgebases: Companies could use older people's expertise to help build knowledge bases.
Skill Marketplace: AI platforms can match retirees with freelance gigs that perfectly align with their skill set, allowing them to earn money and stay engaged. I realize that there are many skills-matching websites around already, but AI could enhance this.
Mentor-Matching: AI algorithms could connect older adults with younger professionals in their field for mentorship opportunities.

Continuing Education

Tailored Learning: AI could curate personalized learning resources to keep older adults up-to-date in their field, even if they aren't actively working. For example, it is very easy to ask ChatGPT to prepare a lesson plan. I will do this as an exercise in another article.
Interactive Webinars: AI can organize and even conduct interactive webinars where retirees can share their expertise.

Skill Utilization in Community

Community Service: AI could identify local community projects or nonprofit organizations that could benefit from their specific skill sets. This is a topic I will be expanding on later.
Social Virtual Reality: Older adults could use AI-driven virtual reality platforms to teach or consult from the comfort of their home. The point here is that VR could take an older person on location, virtually.

Networking

Automated Alumni Networks: AI could manage an alumni network specific to a trade or career, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and experience among retired professionals.
Smart Recommendations: AI can suggest virtual meetups, online conferences, or other networking events that align with their expertise.

Hobbies and Personal Projects

AI-Assisted Crafting: For retirees interested in crafts, AI could recommend projects that align with their skill level and interest, and even order the necessary supplies.
Cooking and Baking: AI can suggest recipes based on their cooking expertise, nutritional needs, and even mood.

Content Creation

Automated Blogging: AI can assist in drafting and publishing articles or posts about their trade, experiences, or skills. This is certainly where LLMs are already employed, and older people shouldn't miss out on this opportunity.
Podcast and Video Support: AI tools can help edit and publish podcasts or videos, allowing them to share their expertise with a wider audience. I find that the ability to copy-paste what I write into an LLM (keeping in mind that it might not maintain confidentiality) and getting a review and suggestions is very helpful.

Legacy Building

Digital Memory Box: Older adults can use AI to create a digital archive of their work, including notable projects, achievements, and skills, accessible to future generations. I am wondering if this might already be possible with AutoGPT, https://autogpt.net, where the AI continues to ask questions to explore the older person's history as well as handle the storage and organization of the information.
AI Biographies: AI could assist in writing autobiographies or capturing oral histories that highlight their career and life experiences.
Knowledgebases: I mentioned this in the first point above, but I think it is worth mentioning again in the context of capturing life experiences or non-commercial areas of expertise. With due consideration of confidentiality, if people allowed the AI to use the information, it may be able to bring together the knowledge and experience of many people who might not have otherwise shared their history.

Psychological Well-being

Mood Monitoring: AI can analyze speech patterns or written text to monitor emotional well-being, providing insights or recommendations as needed.
Cognitive Exercises: AI-driven cognitive training apps can help maintain mental acuity, which is especially important for older adults.

These ideas not only provide avenues for older adults to make use of their expertise but also contribute to their overall well-being by keeping them engaged, socially connected, and mentally active.

Closing Notes

For the above, I used Claude and ChatGPT to kick off the topic, I then edited and added to the initial results.

To explore this topic further with specific information, I would suggest asking the various main LLMs the following, I am posing the same question twice, but with a slight addition as these will get very different results:

I am [enter your age] years old and just retired after a career that spanned being a [describe early career] and then [describe later career]. I have significant related expertise and now wondering what to do with this knowledge.
I am [enter your age] years old and just retired after a career that spanned being a [describe early career] and then [describe later career]. I have significant related expertise and now wondering what to do with this knowledge. Ask me any questions that may help develop the answer.

Try: