Blake Kornhaber ’26 Uses AI to Bridge the Generational Divide

While many teenagers use artificial intelligence to streamline their schoolwork or fuel their social media, Blake Kornhaber ’26 is using AI to close the generational divide.

Blake has been volunteering at Sonata Assisted Living Home since grade 10. Through his time working with residents, Blake found that many seniors felt left behind by fast-moving technology. Inspired by a close relationship with his grandparents and a desire to make a meaningful impact, Blake recently authored a free guidebook titled AI Made Easy, designed to introduce older adults to artificial intelligence in a friendly, accessible way.

“I’ve always had a close connection with older people,” Blake shared. “When I started volunteering, I realized how big the technology gap is between generations. I wanted to bridge that gap.”

During his weekly visits to Sonata, Blake helps decorate for holidays, serves meals, and plays games with residents. One of his favorite things to do is just to sit and talk with the residents. 

“They have so much wisdom to share, and I think no matter what community service people do, they should be open-minded to whatever they can learn from that, not just what they can provide to the community service.” 

His passion for service and learning, values nurtured at Saint Andrew’s, led him to think about how he could make an even bigger impact.

The result is AI Made Easy, a step-by-step guide that explains how tools like ChatGPT can help with everyday tasks such as writing emails, making grocery lists, planning trips, or even exploring new hobbies. The book is written specifically with seniors in mind, using simple language, clear formatting, and real-life examples.

Blake wants to make it clear that he actually wrote the book, not AI. However, he used AI to help him brainstorm what he wanted to say and figure out how to organize the chapters.

Blake’s grandfather was one of the first to try out the guide. After using AI to help write a speech for a community board meeting, he praised the results. “He said it was the perfect speech—and he wouldn’t have been able to do it without the book,” Blake said.

Although the guide began as a local effort, its impact has expanded far beyond Blake’s immediate community. He successfully shared AI Made Easy with all 150 public libraries listed on Florida’s Department of State website, ensuring that older adults across the state have access to the free resource. His outreach reflects both initiative and a genuine commitment to inclusion and service.

Blake has also shared the guide with the activities director at Sonata, who plans to distribute it among residents. He is exploring the idea of leading an AI basics class at his grandparents’ community, Boca West.

“I think it’s empowering for them,” Blake said. “AI can help them stay organized, learn new things, and even communicate more effectively.”

Blake wasn’t really into technology before this project. “I’m not a programming geek,” he admitted. “But this project got me interested in AI because it’s something practical that can really help people.”

Whether it’s leading a tech class for seniors, serving lunch at Sonata, or distributing a resource statewide, Blake is building bridges across generations and showing how young people can be changemakers even before they graduate.

As AI Made Easy gains momentum, Blake hopes to do an audio version of his book as a way to help those who may have difficulty with sight be able to still learn about AI.

“You don’t have to be an expert to make an impact,” he said. “You just have to care and start with something small.”

Click here to access the e-book and visit the e-book’s Instagram page at @ai_made_easy_ebook.