Dean Simes, a 102-year-old Australian retiree, is teaching senior citizens how to use smartphones and computers in Turramurra, north of Sydney. In March 2026, Simes was instructing classmates on operating Android mobile phones and presented a WhatsApp guide created with the assistance of artificial intelligence.
Simes serves as the president of Ku-ring-gai Computer Pals, a club established to help older adults gain digital literacy together. Australian news outlet ABC News reported his leadership of the group in March 2026.
Simes worked for decades in the mining industry before continuing his career as a consultant. Although he used computers during his working life, he did not purchase a personal computer until he was around 80 years old, when he bought a second-hand machine.
After retiring, Simes realized he was heavily dependent on other people to troubleshoot issues on his own computer equipment. He sought assistance, completed three years of technical training, and subsequently began instructing fellow retirees who faced similar difficulties. In addition to teaching, he buys and maintains much of the club's equipment.
Learning step by step
At Ku-ring-gai Computer Pals, volunteer instructors offer lessons covering Windows 11, Microsoft Excel, email management, file storage, internet navigation, and WhatsApp. Simes warned that people cannot avoid having to use a computer in modern life, noting that daily routines increasingly require screen use for everything from managing appointments to holding family conversations.
Turramurra is a suburb in the Ku-ring-gai local government area on Sydney's Upper North Shore. Digital literacy initiatives for older citizens have grown as essential services, including banking, healthcare scheduling, and communications platforms like Meta's WhatsApp and Google's Android operating system, shift online.
Simes advocates focusing on single, concrete tasks rather than trying to master an entire device at once. Lessons can cover practicing a video call one day, sending a photo on another, or retrieving a stored file later. For learners continuing at home, free structured courses from providers such as Google offer step-by-step guidance divided by experience levels.
Repetition and artificial intelligence
To retain technical skills, Simes recommends that students perform each task under supervision in class and then repeat it independently multiple times at home. He explained that watching a teacher can create a false impression of simplicity, whereas memory is built through hands-on practice and learning how to correct mistakes.
Simes incorporates artificial intelligence search engines and chatbots into his routine, including using AI to draft text. However, he warned that overly broad prompts can direct users away from their intended answers. He advises users to limit their queries and describe the specific outcome they require when searching with AI tools.
While automated tools provide convenience, Simes stressed that they do not replace the need to verify facts and remember procedures manually. His core approach involves defining a question clearly, testing the solution, and repeating the task without assistance until full independence is achieved.
