I’m 78 and Vibe Coding. Being Retired Doesn’t Mean I’m Behind on AI.

This as-told-to essay relies on a dialog with Lewis Dickson, a 78-year-old retiree and know-how marketing consultant. It has been edited for size and readability.

I have been in know-how for a very long time. I labored for IBM within the late Nineteen Seventies. I did know-how consulting for a Fortune 500 firm in Atlanta from 2015 to 2024. I’ve taught many engineers and prospects over time.

I am in semi-retirement mode now. Know-how is not work to me — it is enjoyable.

When ChatGPT got here out, I jumped on it. About six or eight months in the past, when vibe coding turned sizzling, I stated, “Nicely, I want to do that out.”

I researched and located Emergent. What I appreciated is that that they had the total stack. I did not have to attach something or get my builders on the road to deal with the back-end. I may simply get on there and begin.

I started with a few easy issues. Now I’ve in all probability achieved a dozen or extra vibe-coded apps.

The final two have been for this AED firm. They wished the flexibility to entry their current digicam supplier’s web site and extract their information. So I vibe-coded an app that may try this — pull that information in.

I additionally vibe-coded an AI voice app for them. It is a net app, so that you go to it in your telephone, hit a button, and ask, “What’s our AED standing?” It checks the database, then returns the data.

Once I first confirmed the CEO a demo, he lit up. He thought it was the best factor he’d ever seen.

Older folks can transfer quick

Most individuals suppose an outdated man like me would have a flip telephone.

Once I began as a ham radio operator at 13, I used to be utilizing Morse code on tubes, transmitters, and receivers. To go from that to what we have gone by means of with telephones and cellphones, after which to observe that transition over time into AI and be intently concerned, I simply love the know-how — each the {hardware} and the software program.

Loads of younger youngsters as we speak are into software however do not know a lot concerning the {hardware} piece. Having a large background turns out to be useful.

There’s typically an assumption that grey hair means outdated know-how expertise. I perceive the place that notion comes from, however it’s not all the time correct.

Many people have moved simply as shortly with the rise of AI as youthful professionals. The benefit we carry is perspective: many years of expertise that permit us to use AI strategically, not simply technically.

Some folks would say older people retire and lose goal. I’ve by no means had that drawback as a result of I’ve all the time had a ardour for doing technical issues.

I am continuously on my laptop computer and telephone, doing one thing associated to AI and studying. You have to watch plenty of YouTube and social media, be taught what’s coming and what’s new.

How seniors can use AI for on a regular basis life

I am instructing AI to seniors now. In my class again in November, we have been speaking about data centers, what’s behind AI.

There is a woman named Sue who’s 100 years outdated. Close to the tip of the category, Sue got here up and requested, “What’s a semiconductor?”

I’ve a {hardware} background, so I answered her query at a really excessive stage. She listened intently and wrote down just a few notes.

After that class, I assumed, “I must do extra for her.” So I used AI to create a video that went by means of the evolution of tubes within the 20s and 30s — issues they might relate to — and outdated radios and TVs. Then we went to transistors within the late 40s and 50s, and what that meant.

The seniors I taught have now discovered sufficient to take over their inner resident publication and use AI to assist write it. Additionally they created photographs for the publication with AI.

They’re utilizing AI to shop, verify for bargains, and analysis their gadgets.

I’ve proven them methods to acknowledge completely different crops and birds with AI. They will stroll by means of their backyard space, take an image, and ask ChatGPT or Gemini.

Do you could have a narrative to share about vibe coding? Contact this reporter at cmlee@businessinsider.com.