A Father and Son Journey into AI: Learning Knows No Age

“What exactly is Artificial Intelligence (AI)? How can it help us? Will it take away our jobs?”

These were the questions on the mind of 60-year-old Tay Tse Wan when he decided to take a leap of faith and sign up for Temasek Polytechnic’s Specialist Diploma in AI Solutions Development.

But Tay did not take this step alone. He invited his son, 22-year-old Quan Kai, who was then serving National Service, to join him. Together, father and son became classmates, encouraging each other as they explored the fast-moving world of AI.

Choosing Curiosity Over Retirement

“At my age, many people think about retirement. But I wanted to see what other paths in life I could still explore,” Tay shared.

“I’m curious about AI, what it really is, how it can be applied, and what I might still be able to do ten years from now. I hoped this course could open new possibilities for me.”

Tay is not new to technology. He once repaired computers when he was younger and now works in industrial battery sales. He sees AI’s potential in product development and market insights and believes these skills will help him stay relevant in his field.

Returning to school after decades was not without its challenges. Learning today is very different. It is no longer just about notes and exams, but about discussions, projects, and presentations. Tay laughed as he admitted, “And if there’s something I don’t get, there’s always ChatGPT to help explain it!”

The Best Study Partner, His Son

For Tay, the toughest parts of class were keeping up with the fast pace of the lectures and dealing with his ageing eyesight. But he had a secret weapon, his son.

Quan Kai, a fast learner, became his father’s best study partner. “When I saw my dad wanting to learn, I was happy to join him. We do assignments together and remind each other of deadlines. It’s been special to go through this as a team,” he said.

The pair will graduate side by side in May next year, a milestone that means more than just a certificate.

Lifelong Learning, By Example

For Tay, age has never been a barrier, but rather a reason to keep going.

“Whether learning is easy or not doesn’t depend on the teacher. It depends on whether you want to. If you don’t, you can always find a hundred excuses not to.”

Through his journey, Tay has shown his son and many others that lifelong learning is about mindset, not age. With curiosity and determination, it is always possible to open new doors and discover new paths in life.

The article was published on LianHe ZaoBao (24 Sep 2025)