Robot study gives seniors say in era of AI

AI-powered robot companions are increasingly becoming part of everyday life for seniors, with certain U.S. states subsidizing such devices through public health-care programs. Ethical questions arise about what to do with these robots and their personal data after the owner dies. To address this, Clara Xie, a PhD student at the University of Calgary, is conducting a participatory study with seniors. At AgeTech Discovery Day, Xie led focus groups where seniors made collages and wrote stories with robot companions.

Another project showcased was BankBox, which simulates online banking interfaces for older adults to practice transferring money and paying bills in a safe environment. Mehran Hossain, a master's student, emphasized the importance of a secure platform for learning online banking. The event also highlighted the need for older adults to stay informed about everyday technologies that could impact them, like AI-generated content.

Ralph Christianson, who attended the event, expressed concern about AI and the need to verify information. Conrad Sweatman, an arts reporter, encouraged older adults to become members of Voice Canada, a platform connecting them with researchers in the Centre on Aging's website.