Artificial intelligence-enabled robot companions, personal behaviour monitors and pain management apps could soon be used more widely within the Australian aged care and retirement sector, industry stakeholders say. Source: ABC News.
Australia is on the verge of an AI boom in the sector that could improve the quality of life of older Australians and combat loneliness, according to some experts.
But others, including the office of Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, have voiced concerns about the ethics of unregulated use of AI and the potential for the technology to cause negative behavioural changes for some people.
The Albanese Government is still exploring how it can be used safely and effectively to improve care for older people.
In July 2024, former aged care minister Anika Wells launched Australia’s first Aged Care and Digital Strategy.
The strategy aims at “embracing innovation” to safely improve the sector and includes an AI framework.
Existing AI research, guidelines and safety controls were being assessed by the Department of Health and Aged Care, according to the five-year plan.
The plan also included the creation of a pilot program for up to 20 health sector professionals to test “the potential of AI in providing better information”, the strategy document said.
About 1.35 million Australians accessed some level of aged care across the country, according to 2024 figures issued by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing said AI is already being used in health care settings to improve diagnoses, treatment and the operation of services for people.
Liana Donleavy from the Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) non-profit says that translates into “workforce efficiency” that sees frontline staff “returning to care” for older people.
Ms Donleavy said typical uses of AI included digital scribes for note-taking and documentation, multilingual communication supports and tools to help with clinical assessments of patients.
Australia’s eSafety office has flagged concerns about AI systems such as companionship chatbots, robots and apps simulating human-like relationships.
“If these technologies are used in a caring capacity over time, there could also be legitimate concerns about social engineering and acting in Australian adults’ best interests,” a statement provided to the ABC said.
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Australia on the verge of an aged care AI boom but experts warn of high risks (By Luke Cooper, ABC News)
