What if we’ve been thinking about aging all wrong? 

What if slowing down could actually make life better, and AI—yes, artificial intelligence!—could be our greatest partner in keeping life vibrant at any age?

If anyone can help us flip the script on aging and technology, it’s our guest Carl Honoré. He’s the voice behind the Slow Movement; the guy who’s been reminding us for decades that faster isn’t always better. His TED Talks and other online keynotes have been viewed over 10 million times, and his book Bolder takes a sledgehammer to the outdated notion that life peaks at 30.

When I invited Carl back to the Conspiracy of Goodness Podcast, I knew we’d be in for a conversation full of eye-opening insights, big laughs, and some gentle but much-needed reality checks, and he did not disappoint. We talk about why aging can be an adventure; how AI (when used for the right reasons) can actually make us more independent; and why life feels longer when we embrace novelty—even if we’re not hopping on a last-minute flight to Kathmandu.

So, if you’re over 60…over 50…over 40…or, let’s be honest, even thinking about aging—buckle up, because this conversation might just change the way you look at the rest of your life.

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The Secret to a Fuller, Richer Life: Slowing Down…and AI??

Carl has been saying for years that the best things in life aren’t found in the fast lane; his Slow Movement encourages us to step off the hamster wheel and actually savor our time.

“We consume, we collect, we buy; but all of that is quite superficial. Savoring is the real lost art—the thing that makes life truly rich.”

And that insight applies just as much to aging as it does to slowing down.

“The truth is, some parts of aging are hard to love, but that’s not the whole story—not by a long shot. Many things actually get better as we grow older. With the right attitude, later life can be pretty wonderful.”

One of the best perks? Wisdom.

Here’s where things get interesting—because it turns out that wisdom and artificial intelligence might just be the most powerful duo we never saw coming. If we combine the wisdom that comes with age and experience with the processing power of AI, we can unlock something truly special.

“Think of AI as the ultimate wingman. It can do the heavy lifting—gathering data, connecting dots, sifting through mountains of information—and then we, with our experience and intuition, get to step in and do the real thinking.”

Let me tell you, this thought clicked for me in a big way. As I tell Carl, there was a moment recently where AI saved me weeks of work.

My accountant had been after me for years to create a formal business plan for the Goodness Exchange, but like most people, I never felt quite up to the task of creating such a huge document from nothing. Finally, though, I sat down, fed all the details into the AI, and—BOOM—60+ pages appeared in minutes. I looked it over, polished it up, and pressed send, smiling at the mental image of my accountant’s jaw hitting the floor.

This is the kind of busywork that artificial intelligence can take off of our plates, leaving us with more time for the things that actually matter—and we’re not even just talking about work opportunities or passion projects. 

This is another area where Carl and I both agree: AI isn’t just about efficiency. This kind of use is just scratching the surface of the ways artificial intelligence can enhance our lives.

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Artificial Intelligence as the Ultimate Independence Tool

One of Carl’s most interesting insights is how novelty stretches our perception of time:

“When you travel, you rack up multiple ‘Kodak moments’ a day—new experiences, unfamiliar food, different languages. That novelty makes life feel longer.”

But what if you can’t pack a bag and head off on an adventure?

Well, AI can help with that, too.

Some people are using artificial intelligence not just to optimize their experiences for efficiency, but to curate surprise. One guy even spent a year letting AI plan his activities—leading him to everything from jazz improv classes to a seminar on how to herd cats. (Yes, really.)

“That’s the key to keeping life vibrant,” Carl says. “Embracing the unexpected, staying curious, and always learning.”

This is one of the many ways AI can actually help to keep us independent—especially as we age.

One of the biggest fears about aging is losing independence—whether it’s relying on others for tech help, feeling like we need a translator for everyday conversations, or anything else that evokes the feeling that the world is moving on without us.

But AI? It can actually keep us in the game.

For all the fear of us losing our independence to artificial intelligence, (some of it warranted, especially where children in school are concerned,) there is just as much opportunity, if not more, for it to help augment our lives and our abilities.

I no longer have to ask anyone under 30 how to do things on my phone or computer. Instead, I just ask Philippa—the name I’ve given my AI assistant—and you know what? It’s a game changer.

Carl agrees, adding that artificial intelligence could also bridge generational gaps in unexpected ways:

“AI is a super helpful tool for mentorship in both directions. Older generations can use it to share their accumulated knowledge in a way that’s accessible and valuable. Meanwhile, younger generations can use it to understand perspectives they may never have considered before.”

In fact, we talked about Kaaren Oldfield, a woman I recently met who has spent decades preserving millions of acres of green space around Chicago. (You may remember her from Episode #198.) She’s 76 now, and worried that all her knowledge will disappear when she retires.

But with AI? She could record her expertise, creating a living archive of everything she has to share with the world; something able to pass on her wisdom for generations.

That’s powerful.

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The Bottom Line: AI Won’t Replace Us—But It Can Enhance Our Lives

Carl and I both came away from this conversation with one big takeaway:

Aging isn’t about decline—it’s about amplification.

With the right mindset, aging brings wisdom, perspective, and a refined ability to slow down and savor life. And with artificial intelligence as a tool—not a crutch—it can enhance everything we do, helping us stay independent, relevant, and endlessly curious.

“The key,” Carl says, “is to make AI work for you, not the other way around. Keep your hands on the wheel. Use it as a tool to expand your world, not shrink it.”

I couldn’t agree more.

If you want more of Carl’s insights, check out his Substack, Tempo, where he shares thought-provoking perspectives on slowing down, aging, and rethinking modern life.

And if you’re curious about AI but don’t know where to start, check out episodes 199 and 200 of the Conspiracy of Goodness Podcast, where guest Arthur Zards and I walk through exactly how first to dip your toe into the world of artificial intelligence—without fear or overwhelm.

Because the future? It’s not something to fear. It’s something to shape—and we all have wisdom to shape it with.

• Carl’s Linktree
• Carl’s Substack: Tempo
• CoG Episode #114: Ditch the Fast Life (Carl Honore)
• CoG Episode #141: Aging Has its Perks! (Carl Honore)
• CoG Episode #199: Skeptical of AI? Start Here (Arthur Zards)
• CoG Episode #200: Vibing With AI (Arthur Zards)

• 00:00 – Intro & Welcome
• 04:33 – Carl Honoré and the Slow Movement
• 10:40 – The Impact of AI on Aging and Relevance
• 17:04 – AI as a Tool for Mentorship and Wisdom Sharing
• 24:05 – Preserving Knowledge Through AI Avatars
• 35:35 – The Role of AI and Personal Advocacy
• 32:10 – Break
• 41:28 – AI’s Influence on Business and Career Decisions
• 46:30 – The Power of Asking Better Questions with AI
• 58:14 – Staying Independent Longer with AI
• 1:04:30 – Cautions of AI
• 1:13:15 – Humanity Bends Towards Goodness
• 1:18:52 – Closing