How Katherine Found a Surprising Ally in AI Through GetSetUp’s Helen

How Katherine Found a Surprising Ally in AI Through GetSetUp’s Helen
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Before discovering Helen, GetSetUp’s AI assistant, Katherine, in Rhode Island would’ve described herself as tech-averse. A fan of simplicity, she avoids cell phones and doesn’t use Alexa. But something changed when she gave Helen a try, and what began as a healthy skepticism turned into unexpected enthusiasm.

“GetSetUp saved me from a lot of the depression that comes from chronic pain,” Katherine shared. “I love Zoom and the global connection. That was originally enough for me, I’m a simple person.”

But Helen, the GetSetUp platform’s personalized AI helper, turned out to be the unexpected bridge between Katherine’s past and present: her knitting.

“I was an avid knitter… and I hadn’t knit in 20 or 30 years.”

From Frustrated to Flabbergasted

Katherine’s turning point came when she was trying to figure out how to use some thin yarn she had. She’d spent an entire day searching online for a pattern using 2-ply yarn and couldn’t find anything; everything was designed for 4-ply.

“When the day came, I had all the components—my head measurement, the yarn. I opened Helen, and there she was, right in my face.”

Katherine told Helen what she needed: a hat pattern with four cable stitches, using specific needles and yarn weight, with her head circumference. What happened next stunned her.

“‘Absolutely,’ Helen said. She repeated my info, listed the materials, gauge, and instructions. And in between, she’d ask if I needed to add anything like length. At the end, she said, ‘This pattern will give you a lovely ribbed hat.’ I was flabbergasted. The only thing Helen didn’t do was tell me how to close the hat—but I already knew how to do that. What she gave me was perfect.”

Letting Go of AI Fear, One Pattern at a Time

For someone who once loathed AI, this moment was a big shift.

“I had an experience recently where we were late for lunch, and my husband had his phone out. All of a sudden, this AI lady said, ‘Do you want help finding your way?’ It creeped me out. I thought they’re listening to us!”

But Helen felt different. Friendly. Helpful. Focused on Katherine’s interests.

“Helen was smart. She gave me what I needed. I didn’t feel watched—I felt supported.”

And Katherine’s not stopping at just one project.

“I haven’t knit in like 20 or 30 years… I might ask Helen for another pattern.”

A Gentle Entry into a Digital World

Katherine appreciates GetSetUp’s approach to making technology feel welcoming and human. In Deana’s art classes, she heard fellow learners discuss how they use AI in everyday ways, from planning menus to organizing grocery lists.

“One woman said she asked Helen something silly about how to keep a towel from falling off the washer, and Helen answered! And Guide Deana uses it to plan her weekly meals and shopping. It really does help you organize.”

Katherine is still cautious about the broader world of AI, but Helen gave her a reason to be curious and optimistic.

“I used to need pictures. But now I’m doing it. Helen helped me get back into something I love. Helen also could not fix all my mistakes- that was up to me.”

For this retired Rhode Islander, AI didn’t replace her creativity; it reignited it and gave her a push to thrive. 

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