An 89-year-old Japanese man learns coding and creates apps for elderly people with ChatGPT's assistance

At 89, Tomiji Suzuki of Japan defies stereotypes by creating iPhone apps for the elderly, a rapidly growing demographic in his country. After retiring from a trading career, he took up coding in the early 2010s and has since developed 11 apps, including the popular "Outing Prep Voice Slide Show," featuring his granddaughter's voice to remind users of essential items. Motivated by personal mishaps like forgetting his dentures, Suzuki found ChatGPT—a generative AI chatbot—crucial, using it for over 1,000 coding queries. His latest app, launched in April, reflects his dedication to creating user-friendly tools for seniors. Suzuki's efforts are bolstered by Japan's Senior Programming Network (SPN), where elderly developers like his 92-year-old brother, Kinji, also benefit from innovations like "Voice Input Assist" for easy email sending. Suzuki aims to enhance app accessibility, leveraging AI for simpler interactions and voice commands. His work underscores the potential for technology to enrich older adults' lives globally through platforms like Apple's App Store.