8 Chapter 8: Using AI on your Cell Phone

You might be surprised to hear this, but if you have a smartphone—like an iPhone or Android—you’re already carrying a little helper in your pocket. This helper is called AI, which stands for Artificial Intelligence.

Don’t worry about the fancy name—think of it like a smart assistant who’s always ready to lend a hand.

In this chapter, we’ll walk through some simple, safe, and fun ways you can use AI on your phone to make everyday life a little easier.

Meet Your Built-In Assistant

Most smartphones come with a voice assistant that you can talk to—just like a helpful friend.

• iPhones come with an assistant called Siri.

• Android phones usually come with Google Assistant.

You can start talking to them by saying:

• “Hey Siri” (for iPhone users)

• “Hey Google” (for Android users)

Or you can press and hold the Home or Side button to wake them up.

Try this:

• “Hey Siri, what’s the weather today?”

• “Hey Google, remind me to take my medicine at 8 AM.”

These assistants can:

• Answer your questions

• Set reminders and alarms

• Send text messages

• Call friends or family

• Even tell you a joke if you’re feeling down

Talking Instead of Typing:

Typing on a small screen can be frustrating. Luckily, AI lets you talk instead of type.

Here’s how:

1. Open a message or search box.

2. Tap the microphone icon on the keyboard.

3. Speak clearly—the phone will type what you say.

This is perfect for sending texts, searching online, or even writing notes without needing to type a single letter.

Handy AI Apps for Everyday Use

Here are a few helpful apps that use AI and are simple enough for anyone to try.

ChatGPT App (Free)

You can ask questions, get help writing a message, find a recipe, or even ask it to tell you a joke or bedtime story.

Google Lens (https://lens.google/)

Open your camera and point it at something—a flower, a can of soup, a landmark—and it will tell you what it is. It can even read signs or translate text.

Speech-to-Text Apps

Apps like Speechnotes or Otter turn your voice into written words. Great for:

• Grocery lists

• Letters to friends

• Journaling your day

Google Photos

This app uses AI to organize your pictures by faces, places, or events. Want to see all the photos of your grandson? Just search his name.

Fun and Creativity with AI

AI isn’t all business—it can be fun too.

Try these:

• Ask: “Hey Siri, write me a poem about springtime.”

• Use apps like Dream by Wombo to create artwork—just describe what you want to see, and it will paint it for you.

You can also use AI to:

• Play trivia games

• Make music

• Tell stories

It’s perfect for keeping your mind active and your days interesting.

Staying Safe While Using AI

Like anything online, it’s important to stay safe.

Keep these tips in mind:

• Never share personal information like your full Social Security number or bank details.

• Only download apps from the App Store or Google Play.

• If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is—ask a family member to check for you.

• AI is helpful, but always double-check important things with a real person.

Final Thoughts

Using AI on your phone is like having a smart companion by your side. It can make life easier, more organized, and more fun.

Just start with something simple:

• “What’s the weather today?”

• “Remind me to water my plants.”

• “Tell me a joke.”

You don’t have to know everything.  Just be curious and give it a try. You’re never too old to learn something new.