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šŸŽ¤ Talking instead of typing? It’s more accurate than you think.

Good morning future-focused leaders.

As Tesla unveiled its AI-powered diner, American politician Bernie Sanders highlighted a real concern: the loss of everyday human interaction. For many (and particularly older people), a brief ā€œhelloā€ at a staffed checkout is their only social connection. As automation expands, we need to ask—what happens when those small but vital moments disappear?

What else we cover this week:

  • Wispr Flow is a powerful tool that makes dictation more accurate

  • NotebookLM adds video overviews for complex docs

  • China's largest insurer transforms retirement with AI tools

  • A UN award for an AI assistant supporting older adults

  • Virtual home safety checks reduce fall risk

  • Our namesake in Ireland teaches AI to older adults

  • Step-by-step guide to using ChatGPT Agent Mode

  • And more...

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

READY TO USE TODAY 

šŸŽ™ļø Wispr Flow: A voice tools that types for you (and understands different accents)

In brief: Wispr Flow is an AI-powered dictation tool that converts your spoken words into written text in real time, offering a faster and reliable alternative to typing. I’ve been using it for a few months now, and I’m very happy with it, as it is able to understand my non-standard accent. (But it does make my coworkers wonder if I’m OK when they hear me talking to my computer!) 

The details:

  • Works within any app you may be using, including Gmail, Microsoft Word etc

  • Converts speech into properly formatted text, including punctuation and paragraphing

  • Recognises a wide range of accents in English with high accuracy

  • Does not require training 

  • The free plan allows for 2,000 spoken words per week

Why it matters: Wispr Flow is a tool for anyone who works extensively with written communication across different platforms. It enables accurate, hands-free input and it can streamline routine work. You can download it here for Windows, MAC OS, and Android.

READY TO USE TODAY 

šŸ“ŗ NotebookLM adds video overviews

In brief: NotebookLM, one of my favourite tools for simplifying complex information, has introduced a new feature: Video Overviews. It is able to transform dense documents into narrated, visual summaries tailored to your needs.

The details:

  • These video summaries complement the existing Audio Overviews by adding a visual dimension, using narrated slides to explain content more clearly.

  • The AI creates custom visuals while pulling in relevant images, diagrams, quotes, and numbers from your uploaded documents—making it ideal for illustrating data, explaining processes, or unpacking abstract ideas.

  • Like with Audio Overviews, users can customise their experience. You can define your learning goals, specify the audience (e.g. beginner, expert, or professional team), and guide the AI to focus on particular topics or skip over known material

  • Video Overviews are currently available in English, with support for other languages coming soon.

Real-world test:

To explore its potential for aged care, I uploaded two PDF documents from the Falls Guidelines (2025) published by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. These provide evidence-based recommendations and good practice points for fall prevention across hospitals, residential aged care, and community settings.

  • I requested a Video Overview focused on residential aged care. It is impressive, you can watch it here

  • I also created an Audio Overview (podcast) in Mandarin Chinese, which you can also find in the link above.

  • The experience demonstrated how NotebookLM can help aged care professionals and quickly grasp essential information, no matter how technical or lengthy the source.

Why it matters: AI-powered tools like NotebookLM are reshaping how we interact with complex documents. With tailored, multimodal summaries, professionals can better understand new guidelines, train staff, or communicate with stakeholders—faster and more effectively. For multicultural teams, the ability to generate content in different formats and languages also enhances inclusivity and accessibility.

QUICK HITS

šŸ˜… Our newsletter, AgeFriendly.AI has a namesake in Ireland: Age-Friendly AI, part of the ADAPT Centre’s #DiscussAI program, is making AI more accessible and relevant for older adults in Ireland. With 80,000 people already engaged in national conversations, the focus is now on ensuring older adults' experiences help shape how AI is designed, developed, and used. Maybe a good idea to be explored here in Australia as well. (Great name, by the way!)

šŸ›‹ļø A Japanese case study found that online home safety assessments matched in-person results 96% of the time. After making suggested changes, the older adult had zero falls over six months—suggesting virtual checks could be a practical fall prevention tool.

šŸ† UN award goes to AI assistant built for older adults: GetSetUp has won the UN’s ā€œAI for Goodā€ award for Helen—an AI assistant designed specifically to help older adults stay informed, connected, and independent. From finding classes and tech help to navigating health benefits, Helen offers trusted support in multiple languages. The U.S.-based platform has already reached millions and is now helping partners scale support for ageing communities globally.

šŸ“ˆ China’s largest insurer, Ping An, is betting big on its ageing population by transforming retirement into a business opportunity. The insurer is leveraging AI, smart monitoring devices, and a vast medical network to deliver "insurance + home‑based elderly care" services. Their offerings include fall‑detection sensors, smart mirrors for vital signs tracking, and AI concierge "butlers" that support 90% of seniors who prefer ageing at home.

TUTORIAL

In brief: In the last issue of this newsletter, I presented ChatGPT’s Agent Mode that can research, plan, and act using its own virtual computer, allowing the user to streamline complex processes. I had a few emails asking for a simple step-by-step guide as to how to use it, so here it is below. 

Step-by-step guide:

  • Head over to ChatGPT and select ā€œAgent Modeā€ in Tools (as per image above). Please note it is only available to paying users at this stage. 

  • Upload content, or connect sources if needed, or let the agent work with any website autonomously.

  • Create a detailed prompt, something like: ā€œResearch [topic]. Deliver a 3-page report citing only academic sources, plus a 5-slide downloadable deck.ā€

Let the agent work for 10-15 minutes as it searches, analyses, and creates content automatically. Remember you can always extend your research with follow-ups.

I'm not here to hype AI. I'm here to help you understand it, use it, and learn as it evolves. Whether you're testing a new tool, using it to lighten your workload, or keeping pace with the changes, 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

I'd love to hear your thoughts—feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn or check out my website to learn more about my work.