AI in Elderly Healthcare: The Promise and The Bias
The potential impact of AI technologies on elderly healthcare is very promising . AI technologies have demonstrated great potential in satisfying the unmet care needs of older adults and are expected to further develop in this area. However, as we delve deeper into this technological revolution, it's crucial to address the biases and challenges that come with it. AI, a major driver of technological development in the 21st century, has unfortunately been associated with a new form of bias - "Digital Ageism". This bias is embedded into technology and AI systems, often excluding older adults from both the development and use of technology, leading to a “physical–digital divide”. This divide exists when a group feels ostracized because they are unable to engage with the technologies being used around them. Stereotypes and misconceptions about older adults being a homogenous group in decline, incompetent, and in need of younger people’s guidance when it comes to technology,