Fostering AI Adoption Through Teaching & Real-Life Context: How GetSetUp Integrates Helen in Peer-Led Classes

Since our inception, GetSetUp (GSU) has delivered over 10 million live classes to older adults on topics like fitness, technology, financial health, and nutrition. A cornerstone of our approach is peer-led instruction, ensuring that learners receive guidance from people who understand the unique priorities and challenges older adults face.

Yet, as promising as AI tools can be for supporting health, wellness, and daily life, we’ve found that many older adults won’t adopt AI unless they’re explicitly taught how to use it. To meet this need, GetSetUp has integrated Helen, our AI assistant, directly into our class structure. Not only do participants gain immediate, 24/7 access to helpful resources, but they also learn how to use Helen confidently during live, interactive sessions tailored to each instructor’s area of expertise.

Why Teaching AI Skills Matters

• Bridging the Knowledge Gap: Older adults may not be familiar with AI’s capabilities or how to interact with chat tools. Without guided instruction, AI adoption often remains low.
• Building Confidence: Fear of making mistakes can discourage new users. When instructors demonstrate Helen in action, it demystifies the technology and increases comfort.
• Ongoing Support: AI training isn’t a one-time event. Learners need real-life practice and follow-up guidance—something peer-led instructors are well-equipped to provide.

This approach ensures learners don’t just hear about AI; they actively practice using it in ways that enhance their daily routines.

Structured Class Schedules for AI Adoption

Over the past few months, GSU has trained our instructors on how to incorporate Helen into their teaching. We’ve also built a regular schedule of classes where Helen is used to reinforce concepts:

1. Fitness & Wellness: During a low-impact aerobics session, the instructor asks Helen for modifications suitable for learners with arthritis. Helen provides short exercise adjustments and tips on joint safety. This hands-on demonstration shows participants how to query AI for personalized follow-up—encouraging them to repeat the process outside of class.

1. Tech & Digital Skills: An instructor teaching smartphone basics might pause mid-session to demonstrate how to ask Helen about blocking spam calls. By walking through each step, older adults gain practical, confidence-building experience interacting with an AI tool.

1. Financial Literacy: A budgeting workshop includes a segment where the instructor prompts Helen for advice on comparing bank fees. Participants see how Helen can also provide reminders—like upcoming tax deadlines or suggestions for free money-management classes.

1. Nutrition & Healthy Cooking: In a healthy meal planning class, the instructor invites Helen to suggest alternative ingredients for members with dietary restrictions. Learners watch how easy it is to “chat” with Helen and receive immediate tips—reinforcing that AI can offer simple, everyday help.

How Peer-Led Training Drives Impact

1. Relatability: Instructors who share generational perspectives understand the kinds of questions and anxieties older adults might have about AI. This empathy fosters a trusting environment where participants feel comfortable asking about perceived “basic” issues.
2. Practical Demonstrations: Rather than explaining AI in abstract terms, peer-led instructors show real-life use cases—like adjusting exercise routines for arthritis or verifying online banking security.
3. Repetition & Reinforcement: Learners see Helen used repeatedly across multiple classes. They can ask follow-up questions in real time, ensuring knowledge sticks.
4. Opportunities for Action: Because each session concludes with steps for continued exploration, participants are more likely to use Helen on their own—whether to review fitness techniques or schedule a next-day cooking class.

Early Indicators of Success

• Higher Engagement: Classes that feature in-session AI demonstrations report greater participation in Q&A segments, as learners become more curious about trying new digital tools.
• Increased Self-Reliance: Instructors note fewer repeat questions, with more learners using Helen for instant clarifications—particularly around health tips or technical steps.
• Positive Feedback: Many participants emphasize how seeing Helen in action made them feel more at ease, dispelling the notion that AI is too complex or impersonal.

A Secure, Empathetic Approach

GSU’s peer-led model—where trust, safety, and empathy are foundational—gives older adults the support they need to adopt new technologies at their own pace. Helen, backed by years of GSU’s experience working with this demographic, is designed to be an accessible, 24/7 extension of the human instruction they already rely on. Learners are encouraged to verify critical information and consult with professionals for serious matters, ensuring they maintain control over important decisions.

By weaving AI education into the fabric of our live, peer-led classes, GSU is actively shaping a future in which older adults feel confident using AI. With a structured schedule and instructor training, learners can see Helen in action—whether it’s offering arthritis-friendly fitness tips, demonstrating security practices, or suggesting meal plan alternatives. This direct, hands-on approach bridges the gap between AI theory and everyday usefulness, setting older adults up for successful adoption.

If you’d like to experience our new classes or learn how we teach older adults to use Helen, join us today—we’d love to show you how empowering technology can be when it’s introduced with clarity, empathy, and real-life context.

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