After over forty years in technology, I’ve realized something most people prefer not to admit out loud: innovation often leaves some people behind.
Not because they aren’t capable. Not because they aren’t curious. But because no one has ever slowed down enough to include them.
That’s why I created Learning AI with Gretchen, a free app built for beginners who have quietly felt confused, intimidated, or shut out of the AI conversation.
Why This App Exists
AI advances quickly, faster than schools, community education programs, and most small businesses can realistically keep up with.
Middle and high schools aren’t teaching it. Senior centers aren’t addressing it. Small business owners are overwhelmed. Rural and underserved communities are being completely skipped.
Most AI tools assume you already understand the language, rules, and the “right” way to ask questions. If you don’t, you may feel left behind, or worse, unsafe.
I know this because I have spent over 45 years working in technology, supporting users, building systems, and witnessing the same pattern repeat itself whenever something “new and revolutionary” emerges.
So I chose to create something unique.
Built for Beginners, Not Experts
This app isn’t made for engineers or power users. It was created for everyday people.
People who want clear explanations, guardrails, and to understand AI without being talked down to or overwhelmed.
Learning AI with Gretchen is intentional.
- Beginner-friendly
- Written in straightforward language
- Built with safety measures in place
- Human, not hype-driven
It promotes curiosity, normalizes questions, and eliminates the shame many people experience when they think they’re “late to the party.”
Free, By Design
This app is free to use and always will be.
Access to education should never depend on someone’s income, age, or zip code. I created this fully aware that many of those who need it most would never pay for yet another subscription.
The aim isn’t profit. The aim is access.
As this work expands, I’ll seek sponsors who share this vision—people and organizations who recognize that keeping AI education free for those who need it most is an investment in our communities, not charity.
From Rural Libraries to a Global Audience
I live in rural upstate New York, and that matters.
In my community, people lack extra money for training or professional development. AI education isn’t available here. Resources are limited. But curiosity? That’s universal.
I began offering free AI classes for beginners at my local library in Groton, New York. Those classes quickly filled up with seniors, small business owners, and everyday people who simply wanted someone to explain things in a way that made sense.
That’s when it became clear this couldn’t remain local.
The app now supports learners well beyond my region, and I also provide free beginner AI classes virtually for people outside the Finger Lakes area. Libraries, community groups, and organizations can access the same support without financial barriers.
Safety and Trust Come First
Many AI tools emphasize speed and power. This app focuses on safety and trust.
Clear explanations. Thoughtful constraints. No manipulative tactics. No data misuse.
If someone is new to AI, the experience should be welcoming, not intimidating.
The Bigger Mission
I also advocate for mental health and host a podcast, and that perspective matters here. Feeling left behind by technology causes anxiety, shame, and fear. I’ve witnessed it repeatedly.
This app is here to remind you: You’re not behind. You’re not stupid. You’re right on time.
Technology should serve people, not scare them.
How to Learn More
- App: https://learningaiwithgretchen.schosersolutions.com
- Company: Schoser Talent and Wellness Solutions
- Email: gretchenschoser@schosersolutions.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaschoser/
I built this app because no one should be left behind, especially now.
