The emergence of artificial intelligence as a transformative force across industries has sparked widespread discussion and, for many, a sense of apprehension. However, a growing movement is actively engaging with this technology, particularly among women navigating the complexities of midlife. The Aged Intelligence Society, co-founded by former WIRED editor Shoshana Berger and Nina Willdorf, is at the forefront of this initiative, fostering communities and providing practical guidance on leveraging AI to address contemporary challenges. Their unique approach, centered around intimate, invite-only dinner parties, has gained significant traction, attracting media attention and a dedicated following.
Origins and Mission of the Aged Intelligence Society
The genesis of the Aged Intelligence Society can be traced back to a casual observation at a social gathering. Shoshana Berger and Nina Willdorf, both seasoned editorial leaders with extensive experience in media, noticed a distinct disconnect in conversations surrounding AI. While they were enthusiastically exploring tools like Claude, a large language model, many of their peers appeared disengaged or unfamiliar with the technology. This observation led to a realization: a significant segment of accomplished women were being left behind in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
"Nina and I are both recovering magazine editors," Berger recounted in a recent interview. "We ended up at a friend’s birthday party, and we were both obsessing over Claude, our new French lover. All the other women had glazed eyes while we were talking; they just weren’t part of the conversation. At some point I said, ‘Nina, I think this might be a business, because all these women need to be doing what we’re doing.’"
This shared insight became the bedrock of their venture. Recognizing that many women faced similar barriers to engaging with AI, Berger and Willdorf set out to create a supportive and practical environment for learning and exploration. Their mission is not to promote AI uncritically, but to demystify it and empower women to harness its potential for personal and professional growth.
"We are not like pom-pom advocates for everything about this, but we feel committed to this idea that being involved is really important," Willdorf stated. They emphasize that fluency with AI is no longer a niche skill but a necessity for remaining relevant in the contemporary work world.
The "Midlife Quandary" and AI as a Solution
The Aged Intelligence Society’s events are deliberately designed to address what they term "midlife quandaries." These are the multifaceted challenges that often arise for individuals between the ages of 40 and 60, a period characterized by significant personal and professional responsibilities. This demographic, often referred to as the "sandwich generation," is frequently juggling the needs of aging parents, growing children, and demanding careers, all while navigating their own evolving identities and aspirations.
"The midlife cognitive and emotional labor is so heavy and so intense that we need an assistant," Berger explained. "Actually, we need the National Guard, but AI will help in the interim."
The society’s events provide a structured yet informal setting for women to bring their "midlife quandaries" and explore how AI can offer practical solutions. Attendees are encouraged to bring laptops and engage in what Berger calls "library time," a dedicated period to work on their problems using AI tools. Berger and Willdorf act as guides, or "sherpas," offering personalized assistance, suggesting relevant AI models, and refining prompts to achieve desired outcomes.
One compelling example shared by Berger involved a woman grappling with her mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis. The insurance company had provided a daunting 300-page packet detailing long-term care eligibility. Faced with the overwhelming task of sifting through the document, she turned to AI. The technology not only identified that her mother was qualified for care but also offered to draft a letter to the insurance company to advocate for her case. This instance highlights AI’s capacity to alleviate administrative burdens and empower individuals in navigating complex bureaucratic systems.
Another anecdote from Berger illustrates AI’s economic empowerment potential. As a former consultant, she admitted to initially underestimating her fees. By inputting her proposal into an AI model and seeking feedback, she received a stark assessment: her pricing was too low. The AI not only identified this but suggested doubling her rate, a recommendation that proved successful when her client accepted without hesitation. This experience underscores the value of AI in optimizing professional endeavors and correcting for potential undervaluation, a challenge disproportionately faced by women in the marketplace.
The Unique Format and Appeal of Aged Intelligence Society Events
The Aged Intelligence Society’s events are characterized by their exclusive, invite-only nature, fostering an environment of trust and focused engagement. The optimal group size is maintained between eight and twelve attendees, a deliberate choice to prevent chaos and facilitate meaningful interaction. The society actively seeks a diverse mix of professionals, ensuring representation from various sectors, including non-profits, design, education, business, and philanthropy. This cross-pollination of experiences and perspectives enriches the problem-solving process.
A crucial element of the events is the establishment of clear "rules of engagement." A primary rule is the creation of an "ideological parking lot," where discussions focused on the potential negative aspects of AI, such as its capacity to "ruin everything," are politely deferred. The society acknowledges these concerns but maintains that their primary objective is to cultivate fluency and explore practical applications. As Willdorf put it, "We have an ideological parking lot. So if you want to talk about how AI is going to ruin everything, this is not the best space to do that."
The events are not solely focused on rigorous problem-solving; they also incorporate elements of enjoyment and camaraderie. "And eat some really good cheese and drink some wine," Willdorf added, underscoring the balanced approach to learning and networking.
The demand for these events has been consistently high, with waitlists forming from the outset. This overwhelming response, including coverage by The New York Times and a rapid growth of their Substack newsletter to over 1,000 subscribers, indicates a strong unmet need. The success has even inspired women in other regions to organize their own local Aged Intelligence meetups, demonstrating the widespread resonance of their mission.
Addressing Skepticism and "The Ick"
Berger and Willdorf are acutely aware of the apprehension surrounding AI, often described as "the ick" – a visceral reaction to the perceived "slop" or unreliability of current AI outputs. They counter this by emphasizing the pragmatic and economically valuable applications of the technology.
"The economic value piece is really important, because women have long suffered from being stuck at home as domestic laborers, because we weren’t seen as economically valuable in the marketplace, right?" Berger articulated. "So the idea behind Aged Intelligence Society is that if anyone needs to optimize their time, it’s women."
They draw parallels between AI and other transformative household technologies, such as the washing machine or advancements in laundry services, which historically liberated women from time-consuming domestic chores. AI, in their view, offers a similar potential for reclaiming hours in the day through automation.
The Rationale Behind Targeting the 40+ Demographic
The deliberate focus on women aged 40 and above is a strategic decision rooted in the founders’ observations of this demographic’s unique capabilities and needs. Berger explained, "We have very discerning taste after many decades of honing it. We know how to ask really sharp questions. We have very strong bullshit meters, so we’re not going to take just the first answer. We’re going to keep probing and pushing."
This seasoned approach, honed through years of life experience, failure, and friction, makes individuals in this age group particularly well-suited to engage with and critically assess AI tools. They possess the accumulated wisdom to formulate effective questions and the discernment to evaluate AI-generated responses. Berger believes that AI, in many ways, is "built for people who have a certain level of intelligence and accrued experience." It’s not designed for those who haven’t yet encountered the challenges that foster critical thinking and effective inquiry.
Broader Implications and the Future of AI Engagement
The success of the Aged Intelligence Society signals a broader shift in how artificial intelligence is being perceived and adopted. Beyond the initial hype and fear, a practical, problem-solving approach is gaining traction. The society’s model highlights the potential for community-driven learning and peer-to-peer support in navigating complex technological landscapes.
The emphasis on economic empowerment for women is particularly significant. As AI continues to automate tasks and reshape industries, ensuring equitable access and proficiency among all demographics is crucial. The Aged Intelligence Society is demonstrating a viable path for women to not only keep pace with technological advancements but to actively leverage them for personal and professional gain.
As AI evolves, the need for platforms that demystify the technology and provide practical guidance will likely increase. The Aged Intelligence Society’s innovative approach, combining social engagement with technological exploration, offers a compelling blueprint for fostering a more inclusive and empowered future in the age of artificial intelligence. Their work suggests that by embracing frontier tools with a practical mindset, women can effectively address the demands of midlife and beyond, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation.
