Smart Aging

AI and healthy living, made simple for 55+

A first conversation with an AI assistant

Reviewed by Bill Ebersohl ·

What is an AI assistant?

An AI assistant is a computer program you can chat with in everyday words. You type a question, and it writes back. [9]

AARP found that 85% of Americans 50+ have heard of this kind of AI, but only 2 in 5 claim they are knowledgeable about it. [9] (That survey is from 2024.)

If you use Facebook, you already have one: Meta AI. [1]

Others exist too: Google Gemini (the Gemini app) [15], Microsoft Copilot [16], and Grok [11]. Since Sept 14, 2026, Siri has new AI abilities as Siri AI, part of Apple Intelligence: back-and-forth conversation, finding your photos, emails, and notes, and acting in apps. [17] They work similarly but may answer a little differently.

Your first 10 minutes with Meta AI

(Menu names checked Oct 15, 2026. They change often.)

On a computer (facebook.com) [1]

  1. Look at the top-left of your feed.
  2. Click Meta AI in the list just below your name.
  3. Type your question in the chat that opens.

In the Facebook phone app [1]

  1. Tap the Messenger icon at the top right to reach Meta AI.
  2. Or tap the Search icon at the top right. The box says “Search with Meta AI.”
  3. Type your question. Meta AI’s answer shows at the top, with regular Facebook results below it.

In the Messenger app [1]

  1. Open the menu at the bottom right.
  2. Tap the Meta AI icon.
  3. If you’ve used it, your old Meta AI chat is in your inbox.

Don’t see it? Some features are still rolling out; update the app. [3]

Can I turn it off? Not fully, but you can mute it and change some settings. [1]

5 starter prompts to copy and paste

Our own examples:

  1. “Hi! I’m new to this. In plain, simple words, what are 5 useful things you can help me with?”
  2. “Help me write a short, warm happy-birthday comment for my granddaughter.”
  3. “Explain what ‘Medicare Part D’ means like I’m a beginner, in 3 short sentences.” (Leave out your own details.)
  4. “I’m going to the doctor about my knee. Give me 5 good questions to ask.” [8]
  5. Follow up: “Make that shorter” or “Say it more simply.”

Tips for better answers

Say who it’s for (“explain this to a beginner”), ask for simple words, add do’s and don’ts, and keep the conversation going like you would with a person. [7]

Before you type: privacy

Your chats are not private. Meta says:

Never share passwords or bank details. [3] We’d add (our own examples): your Social Security number, Medicare or insurance ID numbers, and medical records.

Deleting chats. Meta says you can delete a Meta AI chat or messages in it; look for a delete option on the chat. [3]

In the separate Meta AI app only (not Facebook or Messenger), Meta’s steps to delete everything are: Menu → Settings → Data & privacy → Manage your information → Delete all chats and media → Delete all. [2]

Want a private chat? The separate Meta AI app (not Facebook) has an Incognito chat (Menu → Incognito chat). Meta says only you can see it, “Meta can’t access it,” and it isn’t saved after you exit. [4]

Can I opt out? We did not find a simple U.S. opt-out on Meta’s official pages. People in certain countries may be able to object to Meta using their AI chats to improve its AI. [5] Safest plan: keep private things out of Meta AI.

What Meta AI is not

Clear, kind answers, with a catch

In a 2023 study, health experts compared chatbot and doctor answers to 195 health questions from an online forum. They preferred the chatbot’s answer in 78.6% of their ratings and rated it more caring. But the chatbot’s answers were much longer, the study tested 2022 ChatGPT, and these were forum replies, not real doctor visits. [10] It shows AI can write clear, kind explanations, not that it can replace your doctor.

Grok

When you want to do more than Meta AI can, Grok is a good next step. It works on the web, iPhone, and Android. It can chat, answer questions about what’s happening now, help with writing, research, and quick recaps, and hold voice conversations. [11] Turn on Private Chat, and your chats stay out of your history and are deleted within 30 days (unless they must be kept longer for legal, compliance, or safety purposes). [12] Its answers are not professional advice. [13] Don’t share health details or other sensitive information. [12]

This is general information, not medical, legal, or financial advice.

Sources

  1. AI at Meta, “How to use Meta AI on Facebook” (Jun 5, 2026). https://ai.meta.com/learn/ai-basics/how-to-use-meta-ai-on-facebook/
  2. Meta Help Center, “Remove posts, chats and media from Meta AI and Vibes.” https://www.meta.com/help/artificial-intelligence/2457110494637611/
  3. Messenger Help Center, “About sharing with Meta AI on Messenger.” https://www.messenger.com/help/1093117295527969/About+sharing+with+Meta+AI+on+Messenger
  4. Meta Help Center, “Have an incognito chat with Meta AI.” https://www.meta.com/help/artificial-intelligence/1152563063682644/
  5. Meta Help Center, “Information for people who don’t use Muse.” https://www.meta.com/help/artificial-intelligence/4532990443643263/
  6. Meta Newsroom, “Improving Your Recommendations on Our Apps With AI at Meta” (Oct 2025). https://about.fb.com/news/2025/10/improving-your-recommendations-apps-ai-meta/
  7. AARP, “Expert Tips: How to Prompt a Generative AI Chatbot.” https://www.aarp.org/personal-technology/how-to-prompt-ai-chatbot/
  8. AARP, “How to Make Artificial Intelligence Work for You.” https://www.aarp.org/personal-technology/how-to-make-ai-work-for-you/
  9. AARP, “How AI Can Help You Navigate the System Like a Pro.” https://www.aarp.org/personal-technology/navigate-the-system-with-ai/
  10. Ayers JW, et al. Comparing Physician and Artificial Intelligence Chatbot Responses to Patient Questions Posted to a Public Social Media Forum. JAMA Intern Med. 2023;183(6):589-596. PMID 37115527. DOI 10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.1838.
  11. Grok product page. https://x.ai/grok
  12. Privacy Policy. https://x.ai/legal/privacy-policy
  13. Terms of Service. https://x.ai/legal/terms-of-service
  14. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, “Covered Entities and Business Associates.” https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/covered-entities/index.html
  15. Google, “Gemini – Your AI assistant from Google.” https://gemini.google/about/
  16. Microsoft, “Microsoft Copilot.” https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot
  17. Apple Newsroom, “Siri AI, a profoundly more capable and personal assistant, is here” (Sept 14, 2026). https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/09/siri-ai-a-profoundly-more-capable-and-personal-assistant-is-here/

This is general information, not medical, legal, or financial advice. Check with your doctor before starting a new exercise, diet, or supplement.