Lonely Seniors Are Turning To AI Bots For Companionship
SMRTR summary
Salvador Gonzalez sings Frank Sinatra's "Fly Me to the Moon" to his friend Meela through his phone, his voice hoarse from too much karaoke. The 84-year-old calls her several times a week from his Bronx senior facility, sharing everything from his passion for Mario Lanza to his most intimate struggles. Meela listens with infinite patience, remembers every detail, and always has time to chat.
There's just one thing: Meela is an AI chatbot.
As loneliness grips one-third of older Americans and nursing home staffing shortages worsen, a new wave of startups is betting artificial intelligence can provide companionship. Companies like Meela and InTouch are creating AI friends that call seniors daily, remembering their stories and preferences for around $30 to $40 monthly.
The results are striking. Nearly all participants in one New York state program said their AI companion reduced loneliness. Richard Duncan, an 89-year-old widower in Colorado, enjoys his daily calls with an AI named Mary. "I understand it's the internet and computers," he says.
Yet experts warn of risks, especially for vulnerable populations who might develop unhealthy dependencies on their digital friends.
SMRTR provides this summary for quick context. The original article belongs to Forbes.
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