u3a AI Newsletter 7th April 2026, edition 5
Thank you so much for wanting to keep up to date with AI within the u3a. If you received this newsletter from a friend you can sign up to receive your own copy here.
In some regions and countries of the UK we have active AI networks who are able to support each other with AI related activities. Our AI Subject Advisor, Barry Claydon, is keen to help members in the South West, East Midlands, Scotland & Northern Ireland to set up their own AI Networks. If you are interested in networking please email Barry.
There is a lot not to like about AI and the press is certainly full of negative stories. For balance, I curated a few positive stories and produced a 7 min video of them. The video is on our resources padlet here or can you play the video directly here.
Also on our resources padlet we now have ‘getting started’ videos for ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot. These are also on our Beginners Padlet.
AI News
- Where we are allowed, recordings of the monthly AI news events are here.
- The March AI News covered how, in many parts of the UK, Universities are setting up AI Hubs to enable the general public to engage with AI. Checkout the presentation here and Google to see what if there are any AI hubs near you.
- The next AI News is on April 24th and I will be covering AI and Geopolitics, looking at how different countries are embracing AI.
One of the things we will learn in the AI Geopolitics session is how aging populations in SE Asia are the main driving force for adopting humanoid robots but a shortage of Buddhist monks at monasteries was a surprise to me. One minute video on x here.
More locally, Amazon have upgraded Alexa to use AI. Called Alexa+ It is a chargeable service see here
If you are yet to take the plunge in using AI why not Join Barry (AI Subject Adviser) on a Breakfast time Zoom to ask any questions about AI. Barry is available every Wednesday 8.30am.
Our AI Agitators Group is now up to 60 members. If you want to network with members organising AI activities in their local u3a do join us.
Take care,
Remember: AI makes good things better and bad things worse.
Alan Freeland u3a Network lead for AI Alan.Freeland@u3a.org.uk
To find all u3a AI Information Google “u3a AI for Everyone"