AI-assisted care for older adults: a review of practical and ethical areas of concern

Abstract

With a rapidly aging population, the strain on current systems of care for adults over 65 is expected to intensify. However, the explosive growth in artificial intelligence (AI) clinical support systems promises to mitigate this challenge. While AI holds significant potential to enhance care for older adults, its increasing application in this uniquely vulnerable population raises critical ethical concerns that should be addressed through a robust understanding of both the state of AI technology and its ethical implications. We review the current state of AI technology as it relates to geriatrics in four primary domains of care: (1) medical functionality; (2) emotional companionship; (3) daily living assistance; (4) access to medical information. Building on this foundation, we propose an ethical framework that provides anticipatory guidance to address the ethical impacts of AI on geriatric care in different relational contexts between the AI product, its user(s) and humanity. In doing so, we aim to clarify the role of different stakeholders in the responsible development, implementation and regulation of AI technology for older adult care.