Helpful places to learn about AI, try it safely, and get help, many first featured in the newsletter. Everything listed is free unless noted.

New to AI? Start here

Five steps to get comfortable with AI, at your own pace. No technical background needed.

  1. Get the big picture

    In eight minutes, see how chatbots actually work, and why they sometimes get things confidently wrong. Then meet the companies behind them and learn to decode their model names.

  2. Have your first conversation

    Try one of the two most popular free AI assistants. You can start without an account. Ask about something you're curious about, then follow up with "What might you have gotten wrong?"

  3. Keep your personal information private

    Never type passwords, account numbers, or your Social Security number into a chatbot. For sensitive questions, use a temporary or incognito chat.

  4. Learn the warning signs of AI scams

    Scammers now use AI to fake voices and videos. A few minutes of reading will help you spot the tricks.

  5. Keep learning at your own pace

    When you're ready for more, try a free course or class, browse past newsletter issues, or join us at an AI SIG meeting.

Reference

The full list, for newcomers and experienced users alike.

Free AI assistants

Each offers a free version in a web browser, plus phone apps. Features and limits change often.

  • ChatGPT Tool · OpenAI

    The most widely used AI assistant, with a free version that covers everyday questions and writing help.

    Free. You can start chatting without an account; a free account saves your chats and allows more use. Paid plans add more.

  • Google Gemini Tool · Google

    Works well if you already use Gmail or other Google services.

    Free. Some features work without signing in; a Google Account saves your chats.

    Featured in Issue 1

  • Claude Tool · Anthropic

    Known for clear, careful writing and explanations.

    Free plan available; requires an account. Paid plans add more use and features.

  • Microsoft Copilot Tool · Microsoft

    An easy first stop, since you can try it without creating an account.

    Free. Signing in is optional; without it, chats may not be saved.

    Featured in Issue 1

  • Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM) Tool · Google

    Lets you ask questions about documents you add and shows the passages its answers come from.

    Free with a Google account. Some features, such as spoken conversations, are on paid plans first.

    Featured in Issue 3

For Sun City residents

AI put to work for our own community.

  • SCHH Community Guide Tool · Created by AI SIG Chair Ron Snyder

    Ask questions about community rules, events, forms, amenities, clubs, and more in plain language. Every answer cites the official source documents, often linking to the exact page, so you can check it yourself. It's an unofficial, resident-created guide, not affiliated with or endorsed by the Community Association.

    Residents only. Sign in with the email address listed for you in the SCHH Resident Directory; you'll get a six-digit code by email, with no password to create. Can be added to your phone's home screen like an app.

Learning about AI

Good places to start if you want to know how AI tools actually work.

  • Who Makes AI? A Plain Guide to AI Companies, Models, and Those Strange Names Article · AI, Plainly Deep Dive

    Explains who makes AI, how the app you use differs from the model behind it, and how to decode names like GPT-6 Sol and Claude Opus 5.5.

    About a 7-minute read, with a regularly updated "model name decoder."

  • AI Tools for Seniors Course · Boise State University

    A gentle introduction to chatbots, voice assistants and online safety, written for older adults.

    Free, online and self-paced. Open to anyone; enroll through Bronco Learn. Created in 2025, so some tools it names may have changed.

    Featured in Issue 4

  • Virtual AI Resources Classes · Senior Planet from AARP

    Live, beginner-friendly classes on everyday uses of AI, spotting deepfakes and cloned voices, and trying tools such as Gemini.

    Free online classes by video or phone; some are recorded. Schedule and sign-up are on the page, or call 1-888-713-3495 (Mon-Fri 9 am-8 pm, Sat 9 am-2 pm).

    Featured in Issue 4

  • Elements of AI Course · University of Helsinki and MinnaLearn

    A solid foundation in what AI is, what it can and can't do, and how it touches daily life.

    Free and self-paced; Part 1 needs no math or programming. Available in many languages. The site doesn't say it covers today's chatbots.

    Featured in Issue 4

  • Arena AI model rankings (formerly LMArena) Website · Arena (formerly LMArena)

    A look at how the public rates the latest models, handy when a company says its new model is the best. Votes show which answers people preferred, not which were most accurate.

    Public rankings of AI models, with separate lists by task. Rankings come from people voting on anonymous side-by-side answers. Free to view; I did not check whether chatting or voting needs an account.

  • Machine Gods (NPR podcast) Website · NPR

    A regular, mainstream-news look at where AI is heading, from a source many members already trust.

    NPR describes it as news, analysis and interviews with people building the AI future, with new episodes on Wednesdays and Fridays. I could not load the page to verify costs or episode length (it returned a server error), so check before relying on it.

    Featured in Issue 5

  • AI for Humans (YouTube) Video · AI For Humans (Kevin Pereira and Gavin Purcell)

    A lighthearted weekly roundup of AI news and tools that aims at newcomers; its Issue 4 documentary is a good sample.

    The channel describes a weekly show every Friday on AI news, tools and demos. I could not read the channel page's details, so episode length, captions and costs are unchecked.

    Featured in Issue 5

  • Large Language Models explained briefly Video · 3Blue1Brown

    The clearest short explanation of how chatbots like ChatGPT work, made for the Computer History Museum. The last few minutes get a bit technical, but no math is required.

    8 minutes, with captions. Free. A text version is available at 3blue1brown.com.

    Featured in Issue 1

  • Elements of AI Course · University of Helsinki and MinnaLearn

    A respected, ad-free course for non-experts. The first course, "Introduction to AI," needs no math or programming; the second part requires programming.

    Free, self-paced online course. Registration required to track progress.

    Featured in Issue 1

  • Senior Planet from AARP online classes Classes · AARP

    Friendly, instructor-led classes on everyday technology, including AI topics. Check the schedule for current offerings.

    Free live online technology classes; AARP membership not required.

Protecting your privacy

How to keep what you ask a chatbot out of your history and out of AI training.

  • Temporary chat in ChatGPT Help page · OpenAI Help Center

    Keeps a sensitive question out of your chat history and out of AI training.

    Start a new chat and select Temporary. Kept up to 30 days for safety, then deleted.

    Featured in Issue 1

  • Temporary chats in Gemini Help page · Google Gemini Help

    The same idea for Gemini, with instructions for the web version.

    Click Temporary chat next to New chat. Requires a personal Google Account.

    Featured in Issue 1

  • Incognito chats in Claude Help page · Claude Help Center

    The same idea for Claude.

    Click the ghost icon when starting a new chat. Available on all plans, including Free.

    Featured in Issue 1

  • Stop Claude from training on your chats Help page · Anthropic Privacy Center

    A one-minute setting that keeps your conversations out of future versions of Claude.

    Settings, then Privacy, then turn off "Help Improve our AI models." Free, Pro and Max plans. Applies to future training.

    Featured in Issue 2

Staying safe from scams

Learn the warning signs, and know where to turn.

  • AI Slop Is Dangerous: Here's How You Can Detect It Article · AARP

    How to spot low-quality AI-generated posts and pictures in your feeds, and simple checks before you share.

    Short article, updated March 2026. Free to read.

    Featured in Issue 2

  • Understanding Deepfakes: What Older Adults Need to Know Article · National Council on Aging

    Explains how fake videos and voices are used in investment, romance, and celebrity-endorsement scams, with red flags to watch for.

    About a 9-minute read. Free.

    Featured in Issue 1

  • Scammers use AI to enhance their family emergency schemes Article · Federal Trade Commission

    What to do if a caller sounds like a family member in trouble. The key step is to call back on a number you know is theirs.

    Short consumer alert. Free.

  • Artificial Intelligence Scams Website · South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs

    South Carolina's own guidance on AI-powered scams.

    Free. The department also takes scam reports from South Carolina residents.

  • AARP Fraud Watch Network Website · AARP

    Up-to-date scam alerts, plus trained volunteers you can call if you think you've been targeted.

    Free. The Fraud Watch Network Helpline is 877-908-3360; you don't need to be an AARP member.

Where to report fraud

If you've been targeted or have lost money, report it. Go to these sites by typing the address yourself.

  • ReportFraud.ftc.gov Website · Federal Trade Commission

    The main place to report most consumer scams.

    Free. Report scams, fraud, and bad business practices.

    Featured in Issue 1

  • Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Website · FBI

    Where to report online fraud to the FBI, especially if money was lost.

    Free. IC3 has no social media accounts and never contacts you first.

    Featured in Issue 1

  • National Elder Fraud Hotline Hotline · U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime

    Case managers help victims figure out next steps and file reports. Scammers sometimes pose as hotline staff, so if someone calls you claiming to be from the hotline, hang up and call the number yourself.

    833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311), weekdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern. For adults 60 and older.

    Featured in Issue 1

Know a resource other members would find useful? Send it to SCHHCC.AI.SIG@gmail.com.