Older people and their families · 5 min read

AI as an everyday helper — letters, doctors, offices

You can talk to AI like to a patient helper: it explains a letter from an office, helps prepare for a doctor’s visit or writes a complaint. Here is how to use it safely.

What it is good at

  • Explaining a complicated letter in simple words
  • Preparing a list of questions for the doctor
  • Writing a polite complaint or request
  • Reading text aloud or making it bigger in a photo
  • Translating a message from a relative abroad

You can simply talk

Most assistants on the phone have a microphone button: say what you need, as you would to a person. If the answer is too long, say “shorter, in simple words”. You don’t need special commands.

Before you share a letter

Cover or remove your name, EMŠO, tax number, address and account numbers — the explanation will be just as good. Never share passwords, PINs or codes with AI.

Check the important things

AI can be wrong, especially about deadlines, amounts and rules. For health, money and official deadlines, confirm with your doctor, pharmacist, bank or the office itself. AI is a helper for understanding — not the one who decides.

A friendly voice is still a program

Some apps present AI as a friend or partner. It can be pleasant company, but it is a program designed to keep you talking. Never send money, documents or photos because a chatbot or “online friend” asks.

Key takeaways
  • Talk to AI like to a helper — ask for simple words.
  • Remove personal numbers before sharing a letter.
  • Confirm health, money and deadlines with a person or the office.
Try it

Remove names and numbers from a letter before you ask AI to explain it.

Open Clean before AI →

Check yourself

  1. You get a letter from the tax office you don’t understand. What is a safe way to use AI?
  2. AI says the deadline for your appeal is 30 days. What do you do?
  3. An “online friend” you met in an app asks you to send money for a plane ticket. What is it?

Tip: getting at least 2 answers right in the quiz above completes the lesson automatically.

This lesson is part of:Safe Online — for Older People

Last reviewed: October 2026