AI and the Ageing Population: A Glimpse into the Future of Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea
The worldwide trend of an ageing population is a significant characteristic of our era. With people enjoying longer lives and an increasing number of older individuals, this remarkable shift is driven by remarkable advancements in health and life expectancy, as well as declining fertility rates. This demographic transition is either underway or anticipated to commence shortly in every nation and region. As countries work towards realising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this transformation presents both obstacles and potential benefits.
The global population of individuals aged 65 and above is projected to experience a twofold increase within the next 30 years, culminating in 1.6 billion elderly people by 2050. At that point, older adults will make up over 16% of the world's population.
In Asia, this is an urgent issue in many countries, particularly in Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea. With decreasing birth rates and increasing life expectancies, these countries face serious challenges in caring for their elderly citizens. AI technologies offer promising solutions to alleviate the burden on caregivers and healthcare providers while improving the quality of life for older adults. In this post, we will explore the rise of the ageing population in these countries and how AI can help address this problem, with use cases and companies working in this field.
The Rise of the Ageing Population
Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea are experiencing a rapid increase in their ageing populations. As of 2021, Japan has the highest percentage of elderly citizens globally, with 28.7% of its population aged 65 and above. South Korea and Hong Kong follow closely, with 16.3% and 18.8% of their respective populations aged 65 and above.
These demographic shifts have several consequences, including increasing pressure on the healthcare system, workforce shortages, and a decline in economic growth. To combat these challenges, governments and private companies are turning to innovative technologies such as AI.
How AI Can Help
AI can address the challenges of ageing populations in various ways:
Personalised Healthcare
AI can analyse large amounts of data to create personalised healthcare plans for older adults. By considering factors such as medical history, genetics, and lifestyle, AI can help identify potential health risks and recommend preventive measures.Remote Health Monitoring
AI-powered wearable devices can monitor the vital signs and daily activities of older adults, enabling healthcare providers to track their well-being remotely. This allows for early intervention in case of emergencies and reduces the need for frequent hospital visits.Virtual Companionship
AI can be used to create virtual companions that engage and interact with older adults, reducing loneliness and enhancing mental well-being. These virtual companions can provide cognitive stimulation and emotional support, improving the quality of life for older adults.Smart Homes
AI-driven smart home technologies can assist older adults with daily activities and ensure their safety. From detecting falls and notifying caregivers to managing medication schedules, AI can make homes more age-friendly.
Several companies are working on AI solutions to address the challenges posed by ageing populations:
Intuition Robotics is an Israeli startup has developed ElliQ, an AI-powered social robot designed to provide companionship and support for older adults. ElliQ can engage in conversations, provide reminders, and even suggest activities to keep users mentally and physically active.
Pantheon Lab is a deep tech startup based in Hong Kong. They have built a platform for generative AI Digital Humans that can be used across a wide range of use cases including elderly care and social isolation. Digital Humans can offer companionship, comfort and emotional support for the elderly. These virtual companions are available 24/7 and can be customised to meet the needs of users.
Wonderful Platform from South Korea plans to be the norm for healthcare for seniors where Avadin can be the guardian for vulnerable elderly groups. Additionally, services will expand with combining the robots with health related devices such as blood glucose and pressure monitors as well as all wearables to collect senior health data for analysis.
SafelyYou, a US-based startup specialises in creating healthcare solutions tailored for older adults. Their AI-driven camera system monitors individuals and sends notifications when a fall is either imminent or has occurred. With no need for wearables or additional software downloads, the system is both user-friendly and easy to install.
Cherry Home is a company specialising in AI-driven smart home solutions for elderly care. Their system uses computer vision and machine learning algorithms to monitor the well-being of older adults and alert caregivers in case of emergencies.
The rise of ageing populations in Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea poses significant challenges for healthcare systems and caregivers. AI offers innovative solutions to address these issues by providing personalised healthcare, remote monitoring, virtual companionship, and smart homes. As these technologies continue to evolve, they will play an essential role in supporting the well-being of older adults and improving the overall quality of life for ageing societies.