👋 Good Tuesday morning!

You have to admire the creativity, if not the ethics, of scammers who've conjured up "Eileen and Patrick", a devoted British couple running a jewellery shop for 29 years, complete with a tragic widowhood story to justify an 80%-off clearance sale. The only problem? They don't exist. They're AI-generated figments designed to separate you from your money whilst delivering cheap, mass-produced goods that bear no resemblance to what was advertised.

Meanwhile, tools like OpenAI's Sora video generator now allow fraudsters to create AI videos using real people's likenesses for impersonation schemes. Our older clients (and our ageing family members) who may be less familiar with these technologies are particularly vulnerable. We have a collective responsibility to educate and protect the older people in our communities through conversations about these evolving threats and guidance on spotting the warning signs.

What we cover this week:

• Microsoft and BaptistCare test AI for aged care documentation

• “Smart” pill bottles miss the mark with older users

• Social connections linked to slower biological ageing

• Free training from Google and NSW’s Institute of Applied Technology

• Create Canva presentations directly in ChatGPT

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AI x AGED CARE

Microsoft and BaptistCare back AI documentation system

ACU researchers are developing Jessie Technology, an AI-powered hands-free voice input system for aged care documentation. The goal is to reduce the hours staff spend each shift typing notes into phones and computers, freeing up time for direct resident care. The project is a collaboration with Microsoft Australia and BaptistCare, and has received $487,000 in Australian government funding plus philanthropic support. Obviously the product is still in development/testing phase, so it's not immediately available—but worth tracking, as documentation efficiency is a pain point.

TECH x AGEING

When smart tech misses the mark: the “smart” pill bottles

While down a rabbit hole exploring technology and geriatric care, I came across a reference to an older study (see page 7) that offers an enduring lesson for tech developers and adopters alike. Research involving over 50,000 patients found that "smart" pill bottles (complete with timed alerts, visual cues, and digital tracking) failed to improve medication adherence compared to standard pill organisers. The findings revealed a fundamental disconnect: rather than simply forgetting medications, older adults reported that conspicuous alarms and flashing lights served as unwelcome reminders of their illnesses rather than helpful treatment prompts. The bulky, clinically-designed bottles were also impractical for older adults maintaining active social lives who preferred discretion when managing their health needs in public.

This offers a reminder: understanding the problem context is as crucial as the technological solution itself, and co-design is king.

AGEING RESEARCH

Diverse social networks associated with slower ageing

A new study shows that people with stronger, more diverse social connections show slower biological ageing. It tracked 2,117 middle-aged Americans to see whether people with stronger social connections across multiple life domains (family, religious involvement, community engagement, emotional support) showed biological signs of slower ageing. Using blood tests that measure cellular ageing and inflammation, researchers found that people with more sustained social connections throughout life had markers indicating slower biological ageing and lower levels of inflammation. 

^TRAINING

🎓 Continue your AI journey with these free training programs

Google offers the Generative AI Leader program, helping learners articulate the capabilities of generative AI and understand how they benefit organisations. It provides a structured journey from a broad overview of generative AI to applying it with Google Cloud for organisational transformation. Learners engage with videos, interactive components, and hands-on exercises using tools like Gemini Advanced, NotebookLM, and Google AI Studio. 

A more beginner-friendly approach is offered by the Institute of Applied Technology (IAT, NSW Government) who offer free access to formal courses such as Introduction to AI and GenAI and Business Applications. These come with microcredential verification, industry recognition, and links to partners like the University of Technology Sydney. More advanced courses are offered at a fee (but are heavily subsidised for NSW residents.) 

^{WORKING WITH AI}

🧩 Create a Canva presentation using ChatGPT

ChatGPT now offers Canva integration, allowing you to create presentations directly from your notes if you have a Canva account.

Steps to create your presentation:

1. Start a new conversation in ChatGPT

2. Upload your notes (in my example I created notes for a presentation on diabetes management for older adults)

3. Connect Canva by typing @canva into the chat - (the first time you do it, you will need to complete the connection process by following the prompts to link your Canva account successfully)

4. Generate your presentation by entering the prompt: turn the attached notes into a deck followed by your organisation's primary colours, preferred design style, number of slides, any other relevant details

5. Select and edit – ChatGPT will generate three presentation options for you to choose from. Select your favourite and it will open in Canva where you can make further edits

Tip: Using your organisation's branding colours and guidelines will help create a more professional, cohesive presentation.

I’m not here to hype trends. I’m here to explore the changes shaping ageing—technology included—and to share ideas you can apply in practice. Whether you’re exploring new tools, rethinking services, or looking ahead to what’s coming, I hope you found something here worth your time.

Feel free to forward this to your network or share it with your team.

See you next Tuesday,
George