NEW COURSE
AI FOR THE OLDER ADULT SECTOR
How can we use AI to transform senior lives for the better?
Part-time course running 23 September - 1 December 2024. Please note applications have closed.
Teacher-led, online, with around 6 hours of learning per week over 10 weeks
Participation for those working to improve older adult lives is fully funded by The Selwyn Foundation.
This course has been developed as a winner of the Selwyn Innovation Challenge on Respectful Ageing. Through the support of The Selwyn Foundation we are offering places on the course at no cost to those who are doing relevant work in the aged sector.
What will I learn?
Explore how AI can transform Older Adult lives for the better
How to unlock immediate efficiency and productivity gains for your role, and for your organisation, using AI
How to pitch AI innovations. This includes how to develop, describe and get buy-in for AI initiatives to win funding, support and resourcing.
You’ll also have an opportunity to pitch your idea for development into a technical prototype, worth $5,000. You will be able to use this technical prototype to test your idea, develop your concept, and potentially help you find more support or funding.
This course will be taught by Dev Academy Aotearoa co-founder and AI expert Joshua Vial. Joshua brings a wealth of knowledge, real-world experience, and an innovative mindset to the program. His engaging teaching style, coupled with a deep passion for AI, will keep you motivated and inspired throughout your learning journey.
Throughout my nearly 25 years programming and over a decade teaching I have never seen anything impact my work as significantly or swiftly as AI tools.
— Joshua Vial, Dev Academy Aotearoa co-founder
What will the course cover?
Module 1: Ethics and Governance
Overview of the key ethical considerations when using AI.
Understand the options for AI governance and how to pick the right ones for your organisation.
The role of AI Impact Assessments in managing AI projects.
The Algorithm charter for Aotearoa New Zealand and how it impacts AI.
The privacy commissions guidelines for AI and how to apply them to your projects.
Module 2: Understanding AI potentials and limitations
How AI powered computer systems are different from traditional software.
Fundamentals of Large Language Models and common pitfalls.
Dispelling common myths about AI.
Strategies for understanding technical jargon and communicating with AI developers.
Module 3: AI for productivity
Tools you can use right now to improve productivity in your organisation.
Learning how to identify tasks that are / aren't suitable for automation.
Designing hybrid AI / human workflows to optimise for the strengths of both.
Module 4: How can AI improve the quality of life for older adults?
What kinds of problems is AI well placed to solve?
What are the challenges faced by older adults that AI might address?
How might we generate ideas for using AI to address these challenges?
Module 5: Researching and analysing AI tools
Finding AI tools that are useful to you for now and for later
Using a framework to analysing AI-powered software in the context of your requirements
Efficiently staying up to date with the fast moving changes in AI
Who is the course designed for?
Those working to support the wellbeing of older adults, in any kind of organisation
Those in the position to innovate for positive impact for older adults
Those with a specific focus in how AI can support older adults to live better lives.
What will you need to invest?
Just your time and energy! We anticipate about 6 hours per week over 10 weeks, with around 1-2 hours of contact time per week.
Key Course Information
How do I gain a place on the course?
Just hit the apply button at the bottom of this page and tell us about yourself and your role, or your organisation's work, in improving the lives for older adults in New Zealand.
Do I need to have an idea of how I would use AI to do this course?
No, the course will help you generate a range of ideas of how you could use AI. That said, if you have any existing ideas, we welcome you to share those in your application for a space on the course.
What if I have a confidential idea?
You don’t have to share a confidential idea with us in the application or during the course. That will mean you won’t benefit from discussing and workshopping the idea with facilitator and innovation expert Joshua, or with the class.
Do I have to pitch an idea at the end?
No, this is optional for participants that have an idea they would like to see technically prototyped.
Applications have closed
Applications closed on Sunday 18 August 2024. The course will commence on 23 September 2024.