Week 4: Technology and Brain Health 

Welcome, everyone! 

Today, we’re exploring how artificial intelligence, or AI, can support your brain health and make daily life easier. Whether it’s staying organized, learning something new, or even just having fun, AI offers tools that can enhance our mental sharpness and well-being.

Engaging with new technology like AI is more than just a trend. It’s a way to challenge your brain, keep it adaptable, and stay connected to the ever-changing world.

Artificial Intelligence refers to computer programs that can perform tasks requiring human-like thinking, such as solving problems, learning, and organizing information. AI is all around us—in our phones, our homes, and even the tools we use for entertainment.

Let’s break this down into practical ways AI can improve your everyday life and support brain health.

Examples with Demonstration:

1. Memory Support:

   • Example: Using Google Assistant or Alexa to set reminders for appointments, medication, or grocery lists.

   • Demonstrate: Say, "Hey Google, remind me to water my plants at 10 a.m."

2. Learning New Skills:

   • Example: Apps like Duolingo for language learning or Coursera for online courses.

   • Highlight: "These tools make it easy to pick up new hobbies and keep your brain engaged."

3. Organizing Daily Life:

   • Example: Using a task manager like Todoist to organize your to-do list.

   • Discuss: How staying organized reduces stress and mental clutter.

4. Brain Engagement:

   • Example: Games like BrainHQ that challenge memory and problem-solving skills.

ChatGPT Example from Class: 

We wanted to get a better understanding of a long and very technical scientific research article that was published in the science research journal, Nature in December 2025. You can view and download the article, Yau, WY.W., Kirn, D.R., Rabin, J.S. et al. Physical activity as a modifiable risk factor in preclinical Alzheimer’s disease. Nat Med 31, 4075–4083 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-025-03955-6  or  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-025-03955-6

After downloading the research article, we attached it to a new chat prompt box in ChatGPT and typed the following prompt in the prompt text box: Explain this article to me like I'm a 5th grader. Here's part of what ChatGPT generated in response:

The big message (5th-grade version)

👉 Moving your body helps protect your brain.
👉 Walking a little every day (5,000-7,500 steps) can slow down brain damage.
👉 You don’t have to be an athlete — just keep moving.

Next, we, typed the prompt, Explain it like a comic strip story.  But ChatGPT produced a panel by panel text description of a comic strip:

🖼️ Panel 1: Meet the Brain

👦 Narrator Kid:
“Inside everyone’s head is a brain.
This brain helps you remember stuff, think, and learn!”

🧠 Brain:
“Hi! I like working properly!”

We had to select "Image" in our ChatGPT prompt window and enter the prompt, "Create this comic strip" in order to get the chat bot to generate an actual comic strip image. Here's what we generated:  

Staying Safe and Informed

While AI can be incredibly helpful, it’s important to use it wisely. Let’s go over a few tips to ensure you have a safe and positive experience.

1. Recognizing Trustworthy Tools:

   • Stick to well-known platforms and read reviews before downloading apps.

2. Privacy and Data Protection:

   • Share only necessary information, and avoid oversharing personal details.

   • Demonstrate how to adjust privacy settings on a phone or app.

3. Balancing Screen Time:

   • Set limits to avoid cognitive fatigue. Use AI as a supplement, not a replacement for offline activities.