Page 10 - Spring 2025

News From The Net

By Fred Grant ‘88

How AI Can Help You Stay in Touch with Classmates

There was a time when staying in touch meant mailing groups now use AI chatbots on their websites to answer
letters, calling long-distance (after 7 p.m. to save money), questions and gather signups 24/7.
or hoping you’d bump into someone at the grocery
store. Today, technology has turned those barriers into 4. Writing and Sharing Stories:
bridges—and the latest tool helping us cross them? Have a story you’ve been meaning to share about
Artificial Intelligence. your time at Houlton High? AI tools like Grammarly or
Hemingway Editor can polish your writing—or even
AI isn’t just for techies or the latest startup. It’s quietly help you draft something from scratch. (Confession: I
working behind the scenes in tools many of us already use them often when writing this column.) Want to write
use: email, social media, digital calendars, and even about a classmate who made an impact on your life? AI
photo storage. And now, it’s helping us reconnect—with can help you tell it clearly and with heart.
classmates, old friends, and even new generations of
Houlton alumni. 5. Staying Connected, Not Overwhelmed:
Let’s face it: many of us are juggling full lives. AI-powered
Here’s how: calendars like Google Assistant or Apple’s Siri can send
reminders about birthdays, alumni events, or when it’s
1. Finding Long-Lost Classmates: time to send a quick note to an old friend. They can even
Ever searched for an old friend and come up short? AI- summarize newsletters or articles, so you don’t miss the
powered people finders and social media platforms can highlights.
now suggest likely matches even with partial info. Maybe
you don’t remember their new last name or where they The bottom line?
moved—but the algorithms do the heavy lifting. Tools AI can’t replace the warmth of a hug or the sound of
like Facebook’s “People You May Know” or LinkedIn’s laughter at a class reunion—but it can help us stay in
advanced search can be surprisingly helpful. touch between those precious moments. So don’t be
afraid to try something new. A little curiosity—and a few
2. Reviving Memories Through Photos and Voice: smart tools—can go a long way in keeping your Houlton
Google Photos, Apple iCloud, and even Microsoft roots strong.
OneDrive use AI to organize your photos—by face, date,
or location. Searching “senior trip 1988” might bring up If you’ve used technology to reconnect with someone or
pictures you forgot you had. Even more amazing: apps want help exploring AI tools, drop me a line. Let’s keep
like MyHeritage or CapCut can animate old class photos, the Shiretown spirit alive—on the net and beyond.
colorize black-and-white snapshots, or help you create
slideshow videos with narration. Editor’s Note: Take Fred up on AI tools guidance or help. He
made me a convert and started me on track of using the
3. Planning Reunions More Easily: tools and while still very much a novice, it is amazing how
AI helps automate planning, too. Want to set up a much it has helped me out. Probably the most important
class reunion? Tools like ChatGPT can help write email topic he outlined above for me was the last: Staying
invitations, coordinate RSVPs, and even generate surveys Connected, Not Overwhelmed. It does make you more
to figure out the best dates and locations. Some alumni productive – what mazing tools to have in our “toolboxes”.

10 www.houltonalumni.com