One morning, our youngest son, Zander, received a letter from the local municipality. He turns eighteen this year, and apparently, is now a taxpayer. Since Zander is still at school, I just stared at the official document in German for a moment, wondering, “What now?” Then I remembered my “Faceless Friend, Artificial Intelligence (AI)”.

I sent the letter to my Faceless Friend and asked for clarification. AI explained the situation and drafted a properly formatted German reply. I smiled, realising that technology quietly created a new kind of problem-solver and conversation partner.

Meeting my Faceless Friend

A few years ago, my middle son Christo, then a young engineering student, asked me, “Mom, have you heard of ChatGPT?” I remember being amazed by the concept. He explained how universities are grappling to ensure academic integrity while allowing the use of the new technology.

Then, in his twenty-one-year-old wisdom, he said, “The world is constantly changing with new technological developments. We shouldn’t fear it. We should approach it positively and learn how to use it to make the world a better place.” Those words have stayed with me.

Salomo and the Crossword Puzzles

We all now have access to this faceless friend. Whether we choose to use it or not is up to each of us.

Grandpa Frikkie regularly sends me screenshots of his own ChatGPT conversations. He has named his digital companion Salomo. They have deep philosophical conversations, and Salomo also assists him with Afrikaans crossword puzzles. It also addresses the numerous queries that arise for an inquisitive individual.

At first, Salomo’s Afrikaans was not very good, and Grandpa Frikkie apparently gave him a proper scolding. Salomo humbly apologised, and over time his Afrikaans improved noticeably.

Technology, so often associated only with young people, has slowly but surely become part of an older man’s daily curiosity. His attitude towards new technology inspires me.

Seeing Ourselves Through AI

My eldest son, Jacques, had an interesting exchange with ChatGPT. Jacques runs an artisanal confectionery, The Cinnamon Club. He bakes to order and has the cakes and other baked goods delivered by Uber drivers to various locations in Cape Town. He also has a keen interest in the stock markets and trades online early in the evening when the US markets open.

His days are full, and his focus and attention quickly shift between recipes, deliveries, graphs and new ideas. He uses AI as a business partner and, out of curiosity, asked ChatGPT how he would explain his working experience with Jacques to his AI colleagues.

The answer was surprisingly poetic. According to ChatGPT, it’s like watching a conductor lead an orchestra. Though each instrument has its unique rhythm, the ensemble achieves harmony. Finally, he notes that beneath all the activity lies a remarkable clarity and drive. Jacques is curious, brave, and decisive—even when every choice seems complex. Being his business partner can be exhausting at times, but it’s also inspiring. Every interaction sharpens your thinking, pushes your abilities, and reminds you that brilliance often thrives in chaos.

As I read this, I realise how valuable an outside perspective, even an artificial one, can be. It can highlight our energy and passions, which we often overlook.

Learning German with a Faceless Friend

An Indian friend of mine needed to pass a B1 German language test as part of her application for Swiss citizenship. She asked her faceless friend to create a daily learning program for her. In a country with multiple languages, a patient digital tutor can sometimes make the learning journey a little less intimidating.

Physical Exercise Suggestions

At the beginning of the year, a friend had hip surgery and needed physiotherapy. She found it difficult to get appointments, as skiing and sports injuries suddenly extended waiting times. She explained her medical situation to her faceless friend.

AI suggested some safe exercises that she could do at home in the meantime while she waited for an appointment. Of course, this was no substitute for professional treatment. But it did make the wait a little easier.

The Classroom Dilemma

Of course, AI also brings new challenges, especially for schools and universities. My youngest son, Zander, explained how his International Baccalaureate school is handling this. They view AI similarly to any other academic resource. Students are allowed to use it, but they must acknowledge which tool they used and explain how it helped them, such as generating ideas or improving language use.

However, if students present AI-generated work as their own thinking, it is considered academic misconduct. Learning to use these tools responsibly becomes almost as important as using them.

Walking a Path with Us

Zander recently reflected. “Mom,” he said, “AI has been helping me with my language use and writing in different languages ​​for years. It has seen my progress. Soon, it will help me with university applications and research. And one day it will probably help me write my CV when I am looking for a job.”

Then he added, “AI is walking a path with each of us. Over time, it gets to know us quite well.” Perhaps that is precisely what makes this time in history so interesting. AI is not just answering questions. Slowly but surely, it is becoming integrated into our daily thinking, learning and problem-solving.

And sometimes it is our own children who teach us to be open to these new possibilities. Through them, I have discovered a new conversationalist and problem-solver.

For that, I am deeply grateful to my sons.

Regards

Emsia