AI-CARING How Use Inspired Research with Older Adults Informs the Future of AI

Abstract

We anticipate that AI will play a pivotal role in supporting the goals of older adults to “age in place” and sustain quality of life and independence. However, designing these technologies requires supporting the actions of older adults alongside their caregivers, spouses, adult children, and healthcare providers while being able to draw on a longitudinal understanding of routines, habits, norms, and values. In this talk, I draw from several projects to reflect on the challenges incumbent in designing for informal care networks. These challenges include establishing trust, respecting privacy, retaining autonomy, and combatting disparities. While these challenges are significant, the benefits of designing for care networks are substantial and this multi-stakeholder approach has the greatest potential for long-lasting care. This work now grounds the “use inspired” research for the new NSF AI Institute for Collaborative Assistance and Responsive Interaction for Networked Groups (AI-CARING).