Lonely seniors are turning to AI for friendship: Why Nana’s new BFF could be a robot

Everyone needs a prey.

And when there are no warm bodies in the room, people over 50 are turning to chatbots for companionship – so says a recent study on seniors and sophisticated technology.

“Artificial intelligence (AI) has changed the way we live, and its impact on the elderly is no exception,” wrote the authors of an October report from Carewell, a virtual home health care center.

“Seniors are discovering how AI can improve their health and independence,” the experts continued, “making everyday tasks easier and improving their overall quality of life.”

It’s an automated companion for grandma. And science is paying off handsomely.

From robo-companions like Ryan, a droid designed to engage lonely seniors in conversation, cognitive exercises and physical activities like yoga, to the smart speaker that saved the life of a 70-year-old New Yorker with cancer, AI is coming handy for Pop-Pops and Nanas nationwide.

In fact, researchers from Carewell surveyed more than 1,000 seniors over 55 to find that 78% regularly use bots – including ChatGPT, Alexa and Google Assistant – for a multitude of purposes.

The investigators also found that 56% of silver foxes turn to technology for help with everyday tasks, such as home automation and meal planning, while 46% use it to look up health-related information.

For companionship, 18% of seniors are comfortable with their computerized friends, and 64% of caregivers reported relying less on their support thanks to the fantastic advances.

“These findings show the potential of AI to empower the elderly,” the analysts said, “making them more self-sufficient and increasing their independence.”

But the benefits of robotics don’t stop at improving autonomy.

A staggering 80% of AI-using retirees describe their mental health as “excellent” and 53% claimed they “rarely” or almost “never” feel isolated with electronics at their fingertips.

“Regardless of how often they used AI, nearly half [of the respondents] have noticed its positive impact on the overall quality of their lives and many were open to trying new technologies”, said the specialists.

“As AI continues to evolve, its potential to help seniors and caregivers will only grow,” the insiders added, “allowing seniors to stay healthier and more independent in a technology-driven world.” .