How South Korea Uses A.I. to Check on Its Elderly

Chung Yun-hee, a retiree in Seoul, was saved by an AI chatbot called “Talking Buddy” which connected her with help during a medical emergency, highlighting the critical role of AI in assisting the elderly.
South Korea is aging rapidly, with more than 20% of its population over 65, a demographic issue exacerbated by a shortage of doctors, social workers, and family caregivers.
Talking Buddy, developed by Naver Cloud, provides services to reduce loneliness among elderly individuals through personalized interactions capable of detecting emergencies and helping to stave off dementia.
Another AI tool, SuperBrain, offers personalized cognitive exercises to combat cognitive decline and protect against dementia, backed by government initiatives to detect impairment early.
Experts warn of a “dementia tsunami,” predicting case numbers to double by 2044, while AI programs like SuperBrain help monitor and tailor cognitive rehabilitation exercises, easing the burden on traditional healthcare.
Despite some technical issues and limitations in emotional understanding, users warmly embrace AI tools, finding them valuable companions that help maintain their cognitive functions and health routines.
The technology integrates with healthcare services, reminding patients to take medication, monitoring their health, and coordinating with human social workers to address emergencies and ensure well-being.

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