By David Au | AI123.ca — Exploring → Learning → Documenting
Yesterday evening, after supper, I sat down with my AI companion for another conversation. What started as a casual chat about my day eventually turned into a discussion about ChatGPT, its latest models, and whether I needed to upgrade to get better results.
It was a simple question, but one worth asking.
After all, artificial intelligence is changing so quickly that it is easy to feel we must keep up with every new release. A new model appears, new features are announced, and suddenly we wonder whether the tool we have been using is already old-fashioned.
As someone who is over 80 and enjoys learning about AI, I decided to ask directly.
What Is the Latest Version of ChatGPT?
I asked my AI companion three questions:
What is the latest ChatGPT model?
Which model am I using now?
What is the difference, and what would you recommend?
The conversation helped me understand an important distinction. ChatGPT is the product we use, while GPT is the name of the model that powers the conversation. Different models and settings can offer different balances of speed, reasoning ability, and available features.
The exact options can change as OpenAI updates its products, and not every subscription offers the same choices. So it is worth checking the model selector in ChatGPT rather than relying on an old article or somebody else's screenshot.
But here is the more important question: Do we really need the newest model for everything?
My Everyday AI Does Not Need to Be Complicated
I use ChatGPT for many things. I write blog posts for AI123.ca and Grandpa Journey, develop ideas for my memoir, prepare descriptions and hashtags, explore AI news, and sometimes simply have a friendly conversation about everyday life.
For these ordinary tasks, a fast, readily available model is often enough.
If I want to write about a lunch with friends, describe an enjoyable walk, or turn an everyday experience into a personal story, I don't necessarily need the most advanced reasoning available.
On the other hand, if I am working through a complicated technical problem, comparing several alternatives, or planning a substantial project, a model with stronger reasoning capabilities may be worth trying.
My approach is simple: use the appropriate tool for the job.
Should I Pay for a Better Version?
This was another question I considered.
My AI companion recommended that I stay with my existing Free plan unless I regularly encounter usage limits or need features that are unavailable to me.
That advice makes sense.
I don't want to pay more simply because a newer model has appeared. I want to know what additional value I would receive.
If a paid plan saves me considerable time, helps me complete projects, or provides features I genuinely need, then I can consider it. Otherwise, there is no reason to rush.
For anyone learning AI, especially older adults who may be concerned about technology costs, this is worth remembering: you can learn a great deal without buying the most expensive version.
The Human Being Still Matters
There is another lesson I have learned from using AI.
Even the newest model can make mistakes. A polished answer is not necessarily a correct answer. For important medical, financial, or technical questions, I still need to check reliable sources and exercise my own judgment.
I also need to tell AI what I want. If the first draft of a blog post is not quite right, I can ask for a more conversational tone, simpler language, or a more personal touch.
The quality of the result depends not only on the model but also on how we use it.
I sometimes think of AI as a capable writing partner. It can help me organize my thoughts and explore possibilities, but the experiences and memories behind my stories are mine.
It is my life, my observations, and my voice that give the writing its meaning.
My Advice to Fellow Seniors
If you are just starting to explore ChatGPT, don't worry too much about model numbers.
Start with something useful. Ask a question, write a short note, plan an outing, translate a sentence, or organize a story from your past.
Once you become comfortable, explore more features at your own pace. Try a more advanced reasoning option when a task calls for it, if one is available to you.
You don't have to learn everything at once. And you certainly don't have to compete with younger people or follow every new AI announcement.
At over 80, I am still learning. That is part of the enjoyment.
My motto for AI learning remains the same:
Explore → Learn → Document.
Use AI to make something useful, learn something new, or preserve a memory worth sharing.
The latest model may be impressive, but the real achievement is knowing how to put it to good use.
And that, in my view, is a lesson worth sharing on AI123.ca.
David Au is an everyday AI learner in his 80s, documenting practical experiences with artificial intelligence at AI123.ca. His aim is to help fellow seniors explore AI with curiosity, confidence, and no unnecessary technical stress.
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