17 May 2024Read of the weekAI Robots Help South Koreans Battle Loneliness
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To address the needs of its rapidly ageing population and combat loneliness, the South Korean government is distributing 7,000 AI companion dolls to senior citizens and dementia patients. This initiative reflects the healthcare sector's proactive efforts to enhance care for elderly individuals.

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J’Nae PhillipsJ'Nae Phillips is a Senior Insights Editor at Canvas8. After an early career working in fashion and media, her passion for culture and journalism grew and she made the transition to writing and editing full-time. She specialises in fashion, trends, cultural shifts and all of the good stuff that gets people talking.

Sporting language-model-based artificial intelligence, the $1,800 Hyodol doll not only offers timely voice reminders and caregiver monitoring but also extends emotional support through engaging conversations with patients. Nevertheless, concerns have arisen regarding its monitoring functions, prompting discussions about privacy and security. "Ensuring the safety of robot conversations requires significant attention," remarked Lillian Hung, an assistant professor and research chair in senior care at the University of British Columbia School of Nursing.

South Korea is swiftly advancing toward a 'super-aged' society by 2025, with the over-65 demographic projected to constitute 20% of the population. Concurrently, mounting apprehensions regarding social isolation and loneliness underscore the urgent need to address escalating demands in eldercare and mental health support. A study involving 9,000 Hyodol doll users revealed reductions in depression levels and enhancements in medication adherence.

As all nations grapple with the profound challenges posed by ageing populations, these findings underscore the imperative for health enterprises to foster innovation. In the United States, the Aeo robot is revolutionizing healthcare by autonomously executing security and caregiving tasks for the elderly. Additionally, chatbots like Pi are engineered to engage users in empathetic, human-like conversations, imparting a sense of companionship akin to interacting with a friend.