89-Year-Old Japanese Man Turns to AI for Help Creating Apps for Seniors

Tomiji Suzuki, an inspiring 89-year-old from Japan, has embarked on a unique journey in his retirement: coding apps specifically designed for the elderly population. But Suzuki doesn't go it alone. He utilizes ChatGPT, a large language model, as his "mentor" to enhance his coding skills.

This tech-savvy senior has already developed 11 free iPhone apps to address the needs of the rapidly growing elderly demographic in Japan. His latest creation, "Outing Prep Voice Slide Show," features a voice-guided slideshow reminding users of essential items to bring when leaving the house, like wallets, medication, and patient registration cards. The inspiration for this app came from a personal experience – Suzuki himself once forgot his dentures on a bullet train ride!

Suzuki credits ChatGPT as a "great teacher," using it to answer his vast coding-related questions (over 1,000 to date). He even published a book detailing his experience using ChatGPT as a programming mentor. Suzuki acknowledges his fortunate timing, stating, "I'm lucky... If I'd passed away a year, or two years ago, I wouldn't have encountered [ChatGPT]." His background in exporting cars, which involved clear communication, likely helped him ask the right questions to effectively utilize ChatGPT's capabilities.

This story highlights the positive potential of AI as a learning tool and collaborator. Suzuki's journey is an inspiration, demonstrating that age is no barrier to embracing technology and creating solutions that benefit others.