Older residents who want to learn about artificial intelligence programs can explore a free service offered by a nonprofit website based in Mill Valley.

The website, AI and You, has launched a subsection called “AI and Seniors,” said Susan Gonzales, founder of the nonprofit.

“The ‘AI and Seniors’ video series is designed to simplify complex AI concepts and highlight practical applications,” said Gonzales, a former tech executive who launched the nonprofit in 2019.

Some of the applications could include “staying connected with family and friends, using AI tools for job searches or monitoring health while alerting medical professionals during emergencies,” Gonzales said.

In addition to a two-part short video series, the “AI and Seniors” section includes a glossary, frequently asked questions and “curated resources tailored to address seniors’ unique needs,” Gonzales said.

Gerry Montiel, 78, of Novato said she found the section about fear of fraud around artificial intelligence “particularly reassuring.”

“As seniors, some of us can be gullible,” Montiel said. “If we don’t become aware, we can become targets for people who want to really pounce on that.”

Jennifer Engstrom, a 63-year-old Corte Madera resident, said she heard about “AI and You” during a hike with friends.

“We were discussing taking care of our aging parents and how AI technology and tools has helped our parents live more independently,” she said.

Engstrom found the website helpful to her as a caregiver, including information about AI home technology and wearable devices that “help me monitor my mom’s routines, activities and fall detection.”

Gonzales said she left her job at Facebook more than five years ago after realizing that “the tech industry was getting further and further away from ordinary people.”

“I wanted to launch a nonprofit website offering free content for people to learn about AI in an easy-to-understand language,” she said. “It’s a labor of love.”

The website started with sections catering to the workforce, small businesses and educators.

Then she turned her focus to Marin County’s older population.

“Seniors need to understand that these tools are at our fingertips, and if we don’t become familiar with them, we are missing out on a huge part of what is happening in this world,” she said.

In particular, seniors to be able recognize AI-generated scams, Gonzales said. That includes emails addressed to the victim by name, or audio scams involving a voice that sounds like a family member to extract emergency funds over the phone.

Funding for “AI and You” comes from tech companies and foundations, Gonzales said. Gonzales said she has team of eight people around the country who help create the content.

“If someone spends even 30 minutes on our website, your knowledge of AI will go up probably 10 times,” she said.

For more information, go to aiandyou.org/seniors.