Lonely seniors are turning to AI for friendship: Why Nana's new BFF may be a robot
The move could correlate with improved mental health, experts say.
Everybody needs some botty.
And when there aren’t any warm bodies in the room, folks over 50 are turning to chatbots for companionship — so says a recent survey on seniors and sophisticated technology.
“Artificial intelligence (AI) has changed the way we live, and its impact on seniors is no exception,” wrote the authors of an October report from Carewell, a virtual home healthcare hub.
I think this could be a good industry, because the number of lonely people will only increase. I saw Kardashian talking to Tesla Optimus and not to me 💔😂
I'm lonely too
AI actually holds great potential for seniors. From being lonely to immobile, AI and robotics could really help them.
I agree task and with the way the world is headed, the seniors will be left alone because kids these days have their attention on so many things.
I hope the robots get better because I know I'll be a senior one day and I'll need it too
Many are not even having kids which will come in play in a few decades.
yes that's also a case. The rate of people getting married has also gone down.
Loneliness will be a major problem that tech industries can take advantage of to make big bucks and big innovations
“Seniors are discovering how AI can enhance their health and independence,” continued the experts, “making everyday tasks easier and improving their overall quality of life.”
It’s an automated mate for grandma. And the science is paying off in spades.
From robo-buddies like Ryan, a droid designed to engage lonesome elders in conversation, cognitive exercises and physical activities such as yoga, to the smart speaker that saved an 70-year-old, cancer-stricken New Yorker’s life, AI is coming in handy for Pop-Pops and Nanas nationwide.
In fact, researchers from Carewell polled more than 1,000 golden-agers over 55 to find that 78% regularly use bots — including ChatGPT, Alexa and Google Assistant — for a multitude of purposes.