AI and the Care of the Elderly

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is affecting many aspects of the care of the elderly, and can offer important potential benefits, but also potential risks, and can have several key limitations. AI has been expanding rapidly into many aspects of clinical research and care, as well as other aspects of social and individual life, receiving enormous attention and hype. Algorithms can assist with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of countless diseases, and in several areas of radiology are as effective as physicians. But other AI applications can have errors in sensitivity and specificity in disease detection, and can “hallucinate”, making other kinds of errors. Algorithms are developed and trained using particular data sets from populations that may differ in race, ethnicity or other factors from populations on which the algorithm is then employed, leading to biased results. Elderly patients may also engage with algorithms outside of doctors’ offices, through wearables or chatbots that can provide helpful health-related interactions, but can also pose challenges. Chatbot “companions” for seniors are being developed and marketed that can converse with elderly patients, increasing interactions that can help reduce cognitive decline. But such chatbots can also gather sensitive data concerning depression, suicidality, or financial matters, posing questions regarding whether such chats should be monitored, and if so, by whom, and what such individuals should do with this information. This talk will explore these challenges, and ethical guidelines, frameworks and best practices that strive to reduce such risks to enhance effective and safe care.

Leading Smart and Connected Ageing at Home: A Nursing Journey of Innovation and Global Perspectives

As global populations age, the aspiration to remain healthy, safe, and connected at home has become both a societal imperative and a scientific frontier. Evidence from systematic and umbrella reviews demonstrates that smart and connected health technologies-including sensors, wearables, robotics, Al-enabled decision support, and digital health platforms-can improve independence, reduce functional decline, and enhance quality of life for older adults, while also presenting challenges related to adoption, equity, interoperability, cost, and data governance. Nursing leadership is critical to bridging technology and humanity: nurses build trust, tailor interventions, and integrate innovations into daily practice across diverse cultural and policy contexts. Global exemplars, from nurse-led smart health homes in Florida to Al partnerships and lifestyle medicine clinics, show how nursing can drive responsible innovation, advance equity, and shape policy frameworks for sustainable ageing care. This talk reviews the scientific evidence, identifies opportunities for global collaboration, and calls for a future where nurses lead the translation of digital innovation into smart, connected, and compassionate ageing-at-home solutions worldwide.