infotech

The Implementation Of AI Technology In China Is Creating New Opportunities For Elderly Care

Wang Yunbo, a 65-year-old Beijing resident, fully embraces a "smart" lifestyle.

When I switch on the television at home, a personalized list of my favorite channels appears on the screen. The intelligent bracelet on my wrist shows my daily blood pressure and heart rate levels, reminding me to take my medication. When I take the bus, my mobile phone automatically identifies my location, and a payment code appears," Wang says with contentment.

For Wang and China's nearly 300 million residents aged 60 and above, most of whom do not have someone to keep them company and have difficulty using electronic devices, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are increasingly being integrated to simplify and enrich their lives in the digital age.

Official figures show that as of the end of 2023, more than 490,000 Chinese companies, both state-owned and private, are involved in the elderly care business, with a major focus on the smart health, health-centred tourism, financing and anti-aging sectors.

Wang Haotian, a researcher at the Macroeconomic Research Academy under China's National Development and Reform Commission, highlighted the emergence of new technologies and business models to cater to the personalized, diversified, and quality-focused consumption demands of the elderly in recent years.

According to the National Health Commission, China is projected to have over 400 million people aged 60 and above by 2033, and nearly 500 million by 2050, making up almost 35 percent of the total population.

Approximately 90 percent of the elderly population resides at home, 7 percent rely on community support, and the remaining depend on commercial institutions for daily care. Therefore, addressing the needs of homebound elderly individuals is of utmost importance.

Feng Wenmeng, a researcher at the Development Research Centre under the State Council, emphasized that new smart and digital technologies have led to the creation of more specialized, safe, and convenient products for the elderly. These technologies include health monitoring devices, shoes with positioning systems, and clothing with built-in sensors and airbags that inflate upon detecting a fall, thereby reducing the risk of injury.

A 70-year-old resident of Shanghai named Liu has developed a close bond with her robotic "nanny." She engages in daily conversations with the robot and depends on its assistance for household tasks and health guidance.

Liu expressed, "I can hardly imagine my life without it now."

Nevertheless, experts point out that Chinese companies are currently utilizing AI technology primarily for basic elderly care services, falling short of effectively addressing various needs like remote medical services. This indicates ample room for further advancement.

In the previous year, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, in collaboration with 16 other government agencies, unveiled a plan to enhance the integration of robots in diverse elderly care settings to elevate the intelligence level of these services.

Experts anticipate a deeper fusion of AI technologies in the upcoming years, especially in smart home devices, wearables, and robots. This integration will leverage 5G, big data, cloud computing, and other advanced methods to enhance precision and interaction between humans and robots.

Bank of Shanghai, the primary pension payment institution in the city, has collaborated with SenseTime, a prominent AI software company, to create AI staff capable of providing voice services on its mobile app in a highly human-like manner.

The decision was made in response to feedback indicating that numerous mobile banking users were still required to visit physical branches due to technical issues. Through this service, an 82-year-old user named Xu successfully accessed the balance of his retirement account on his mobile device by following voice prompts from the AI staff.

This initiative was recognized by the International Telecommunication Union as one of the 40 cases in the initial phase of "AI for Good" globally. SenseTime intends to further enhance the AI staff by improving their emotional responses and tailoring their appearances to better suit various mobile phone models.

Nevertheless, with the rapid expansion of the aged care sector due to the growing utilization of AI, various issues have surfaced. Certain elderly individuals perceive AI products as overly costly and at times unreliable, while their loved ones are concerned about privacy violations and the potential for fraud targeting the vulnerable.

Researcher Hu Zuquan from the State Information Centre proposed that China could draw lessons from the practices of nations like the Netherlands, Japan, and the UK in establishing an AI-supported elderly economy.

Justine Coulson, the United Nations Population Fund representative in China, expressed optimism that China's exploration of the elderly economy in the coming decade will set a valuable precedent for other developing nations.

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Tag: AI Technology