Too Old for AI? Think Again.

Nothing can replace experience.

Whenever I hear someone say, “I’m too old for AI,” I smile. Usually, it comes from someone with decades of professional experience, sharp instincts, and the kind of judgment no algorithm can replicate. In other words, the exact people who stand to benefit most from using AI.

The truth is, being “too old” for AI is a myth. You don’t need to be a coder, a techie, or a Gen Z digital native to make AI work for you. In fact, the skills you already have—strategic thinking, relationship-building, knowing what’s truly important—are exactly what AI can’t do. That’s why it needs you.

Why This Myth Exists

AI feels intimidating because it moves fast. The tools change weekly, the headlines scream “disruption,” and there’s a perception that you're behind if you haven’t already mastered it. Add in some tech jargon and a few too many acronyms, and it’s easy to assume AI is a young person’s game.

But think back: weren’t email, cell phones, or even LinkedIn once “too new” too? Now they’re second nature. AI will be the same.

The Reality: It’s Never Too Late

AI is not about age; it’s about mindset. If you can:

• Ask questions

• Spot patterns

• Make decisions

• Communicate clearly

  
  

…then you can use AI. Tools like ChatGPT, Grammarly, or Canva AI are designed to be conversational and intuitive. You type in a prompt like you would an email, and AI generates a draft, a design, or an idea you can refine. If you can Google, you can prompt.

Easy Ways to Get Started

If you’ve been hesitating, here are three simple, low-pressure ways to dip your toes in:

1. Use AI as a Drafting Buddy

   Staring at a blank page? Ask ChatGPT to give you three headline ideas, or a first draft of an email. You don’t have to use it word-for-word—just treat it like an intern handing you raw material.

2. Let AI Save You Time on Busywork

   Upload a transcript and ask for a summary. Paste in a messy list and ask for a table. Have it reformat text into bullets. These aren’t “big tech” tasks—they’re everyday efficiencies.

3. Experiment in Safe Spaces

   Don’t start with client work or mission-critical projects. Play. Use AI to plan a vacation itinerary, generate a recipe from what’s in your fridge, or draft a LinkedIn post. You’ll build confidence without pressure.

   
   

Why Your Experience Matters More Than Ever

AI can accelerate, but it can’t elevate. It doesn’t know your firm’s culture, your client’s quirks, or your decades of lessons learned. That’s why your perspective is the multiplier—AI provides the spark, and you apply the judgment.

So the next time you catch yourself (or a colleague) saying, “I’m too old for AI,” flip it: you’re actually in the perfect spot. You already know what works. Now you just have a faster, sharper tool to help you do it.

✨ AI isn’t about replacing wisdom—it’s about amplifying it. And wisdom doesn’t come with age limits. Tell me your AI stories in the comments!