AI didn’t replace me. It reminded me I still had something worth saying.

As someone who rediscovered his voice in his 50s, you’d think I’d be terrified of AI. I’m not. I use it every day, and I’ve never felt more creative.

There’s this unspoken stereotype floating around the tech world: that if you’re over 50, you don’t “get it.” You’re too old to understand AI, not adaptable enough to use the tools shaping the future.

But here’s what they forget, we’re Gen X.

We grew up on rotary phones and dial-up modems. We watched floppy disks become flash drives and chatrooms evolve into social media. We built our lives amid the digital revolution, and now, we’re still here, evolving alongside it.

So, when AI came knocking, I didn’t run. I opened the door.

“It’s not that I’m old. It’s that I’ve already survived what many are still figuring out.”

It might surprise you how much I integrate AI into my daily life.

At my full-time writing job, AI helps me research the finance topics I cover. I don’t have a finance degree or an MBA, yet every day AI provides me with a personalized crash course, teaching me principles of business, investing, and economics in ways no textbook ever could.

The articles I publish on Medium? Also deeply influenced by AI. We brainstorm ideas, clarify themes, and build detailed outlines. AI doesn’t write the articles, it helps me shape them.

Recently, I started using Notion to manage both my business and personal life. AI reminds me of important tasks, updates my plans, and keeps me organized.

On the health side, AI has quietly become my coach. It helps me build a sustainable diet and exercise routine, suggests supplements to combat fatigue since my heart attack, and most importantly, keeps me motivated and accountable.

Without AI, I’d be overwhelmed. I’m a father, husband, writer, creator, and second-act builder. My life is full, and without a partner in organization and motivation, it would quickly slip through the cracks.

But among all the ways AI helps me, the biggest shift has happened in my creative process.

How I Co-Write with AI — Step by Step

AI isn’t just a tool, it’s my creative partner. Even when an article is just a faint idea, AI helps me nurture it into something meaningful.

Step One: Generating Ideas

I plan my content a month in advance, but that always starts from an empty page and a vague vision. My mission is clear: to build a sustainable business by helping others manage the second act of their lives using AI as a creative partner.

To accomplish this, AI needs context. I feed it examples of my previous work, share life experiences, and let it learn from daily conversations. Over time, it understands not only my writing style but also my values, voice, and vision.

Every day begins with a feeling or a theme, a small seed we help grow together. Here are actual prompts I use:

Emotion-Based Prompts:

• “I feel stuck in my 50s. Can you help me find a hopeful perspective?”
• “I’m overwhelmed today but still want to write. Can we turn this into a short reflection?”
• “Help me unpack the fear of starting over later in life in a way that empowers readers.”

Late Bloomer Themes:

• “Help me share how I rediscovered my voice after 50.”
• “What metaphors can represent being a late bloomer?”
• “Can we reframe the idea that it’s ‘too late’ to start something new?”

Personal Story Framing:

• “I want to share the year I hit rock bottom. Can you help structure it meaningfully?”
• “I want to write a letter to my younger self. How can I begin it without clichés?”

Step Two: Finding Structure

Next, I ask AI for a simple outline. While some writers don’t outline, I find it ensures clarity and completeness. AI is like scaffolding, it supports weaker sections and ensures my key points are strong.

Step Three: Drafting and Reacting

Now, it’s my turn. I take AI’s structure and ideas and write a rough, imperfect first draft. I don’t worry about spelling or grammar at this stage. AI knows my voice and intent, even when I’m messy.

Once finished, I feed this first draft back into AI for editing.

Step Four: Polishing and Rewriting

In moments, AI provides suggestions to tighten, clarify, and improve the text. It understands my voice and often helps phrase ideas exactly how I’d say them myself. AI is not just fast, it’s effective. Having worked with many editors, AI stands out as uniquely intuitive.

Step Five: The Final Gut Check

To be clear, I always make the final call. AI suggests edits, but ultimately, the final piece is mine. The emotions, experiences, and message must remain authentically mine.

AI may be my co-sculptor, but the final strokes of the chisel belong to me alone.

My Relationship with Writing and Creativity

Between 2018 and 2023, I published hundreds of articles on Medium. Back then, my process was undefined — and honestly, a little chaotic. I flew by the seat of my pants. That made for some honest writing, yes — but also some inconsistency. I wasn’t always presenting myself in the best light.

Now, I’m back. And this time, things are different.

Thanks to AI, my creative process is grounded, clear, and consistent. If it weren’t for these changes, I don’t think I ever would have started writing again.

AI gave me structure when I had none. More importantly, it gave me purpose when I couldn’t find the words, or the blood, to spill on the page.

So if you’re someone looking to write, create, build, or bloom in your second act, give AI a chance. Sit down and start talking. Tell it about your life, your dreams, the things you’ve been carrying for decades. Let it help you find the path forward, from where you are now to the life you’ve been waiting to live.

You’re not behind. You’re just getting started.

AI doesn’t replace your voice, it amplifies it.

“AI hasn’t taken away my creativity, it reminded me that my story still matters. And yours does too. It’s not about the tool, it’s about the voice behind it.”