The new Senate report signals fear and caution…Released last week, the report, Artificial Intelligence and Older Adults, cites worrisome statistics about fraud and older adults (aged 60 and older), climbing to $2.4 billion by 2024. Examples are compelling – use of AI-generated images, deep fakes, chatbots, and voice cloning. Ironically, it turns out all ages are being scammed, particularly 35-44 year-olds.
...And lack of government action. And the report could be even more depressing if looked at in detail, it cites numerous legislative actions that have not been implemented. And no date has been offered for when they may be considered. Among legislation stuck at starting gate: Preventing Fakes, Combatting Scams, the just-introduced Aging with AI (about Chatbots), Reporting scams, and tax relief for scam victims.
The report tentatively identifies benefits. The benefits cited include: mitigating loneliness (with presumably well-tested AI companion technology), suggesting that AI can help with fall detection and changing risk patterns, and offer remote monitoring of vital signs, medication, sleep and activity. There have been multiple apps (around for multiple years) offering fall detection, potential fall prevention, activity, sleep and medication monitoring. Good of the report to note that these categories exist. Please also note that the Older Americans Act Re-authorization, funding a wide range of social services for older adults, has been stuck in the House since mid-July.
Family communication reaches a new, uh, minimalism. Speaking of inactivity and activity – consider new one-tap apps to announce you are still alive. Apparently a Chinese app, Are You Dead? took off in China – enabling young people to indicate to others that they’re still around. So of course, why not have US versions for adults who live on their own, presumably inclusive of the more than 16 million older adults aged 65+ who live alone. This has inspired the one-tap imalive.co, and now we have NotDeadYet! Some might think this has some charm or even humor, eliminating a phone call or text message (which might contain more information than the person apparently wishes to share). Not even a ‘Doing okay, how about you?’ Some might also agree that this is a pitiful commentary on the terseness of social interactions moving forward.
