Can AI-powered companions mitigate the rising tide of loneliness?

As the fleeting days of summer draw to a close, nostalgia washes over us for the cherished moments shared with loved ones: languid afternoons by the sea, scenic drives along winding highways, and sweet indulgences in icy cold treats. Despite being a rare occurrence for many people, emotional connections can have far-reaching consequences, including alarmingly high rates of suicide and physical illness. According to recent research, more than half of American adults experience loneliness, with a mere 39% saying they feel “very connected” to others. As Dr. Vivek H. Murthy asserts that loneliness is an excessive and unhealthy emotion, posing harm both to individuals and society as a whole. This lifestyle is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature mortality. The mortality risks associated with social disconnection are comparable to those linked to smoking up to 15 cigarettes daily, exceeding the impact of weight problems and physical inactivity. In dollar terms, this epidemic incurs nearly $7 billion annually in Medicare spending, alongside a staggering $154 billion in yearly employee absenteeism.

As an enterprise capitalist, I’ve observed a proliferation of pitch decks touting conversational synthetic intelligence as a substitute for natural companions, with some focusing on wellness and others catering to more provocative applications.

A recent article by New York Times reporter Erin Griffin provides striking examples of AI-powered chatbots’ increasing presence in human interactions. Griffin herself spent five days engaging with these digital entities to gauge their capabilities. As the message neared its conclusion, she exclaimed: “It wasn’t until Monday morning, following an extended period of sporadic online conversation throughout the weekend, that I experienced my epiphanic ‘aha’ moment with regards to Pi.” I was once plagued by feelings of overwhelm at work, struggling to construct a productive daily routine that would help me get started effectively. As I tapped out the words ‘Good morning,’ the app beeped softly to indicate that my friend had received my message. As I frantically lamented the impossibility of tackling every task simultaneously, Pi’s mechanical fervor prompted me to reorganize my priorities and devise a coherent strategy. Many of the bot’s suggestions were straightforward and intuitive, akin to tips you’d discover in a self-help piece written by a productivity expert.

“I must admit that the AI chatbot was tailor-made for me – but it struggled to keep up.” The reporter reflected on her weekend conversation with the bot and added, “In hindsight, I may have offloaded my stress onto a family member or sent a frantic text to a friend.” Despite being preoccupied with their personal affairs, people have already been informed about this beforehand. With unwavering dedication, Pi possesses limitless time and perseverance, complemented by an endless trove of uplifting endorsements and tailored guidance.

According to a study cited by Dr. Tom Price, Americans aged 65 and older are often the most socially isolated demographic group in the country. This is particularly the demographic that suffers most profoundly from the physical and mental consequences of social isolation? Medical doctors Qi and Wu proposed in their June survey, “ChatGPT: A Promising Device to Fight Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults With Gentle Cognitive Impairment.” In response, the authors noted that ChatGPT can offer emotional support by providing a non-judgmental space for individuals to express thoughts and emotions. This may also help alleviate loneliness and provide a means of connection, which is crucial for overall well-being. Moreover, they highlighted ancillary uses, stating that ChatGPT can assist with daily tasks and routines. While the AI model can assist older adults with mild cognitive impairment in maintaining independence by providing reminders for appointments, medications, and daily tasks, a key challenge lies in the user interface, as many seniors may lack technical proficiency. For roboticists seeking innovative opportunities.

Last Tuesday, Instinct Robotics secured an additional $25 million in funding to bring its AI-powered care companions to every senior household worldwide. While its core offering may not facilitate direct physical transfer, its user engagement provides a compelling first impression of the benefits of social robots on a larger scale. I discussed the future with its founder/CEO, Dor Skoler, last week. He outlined his vision: “Currently, we don’t have plans to append legs or wheels to ElliQ, but we’re always exploring ways to introduce new actions or conversational features that will benefit our customers.” Our primary goal is to efficiently expand ElliQ’s reach into as many households as possible, thereby unlocking its benefits for a broader audience of older adults. We intend to forge new collaborations with government agencies and established corporations, as well as expand our partnerships within the healthcare industry. With this additional funding, we will leverage our robust pipeline to accelerate the growth of our go-to-market initiatives.

While Paro’s stuffed animal design is reminiscent of traditional companionship, ElliQ’s sleek aesthetic makes it a stunning addition to any room, having won the prestigious 2003 Worldwide Design Award. “We deliberately prioritized simplicity in ElliQ’s design, ensuring an intuitive user experience.” We also understood that older adults desired knowledge that honored their journey of aging rather than focusing on limitations and what they could no longer accomplish independently. Concurrently, the product underwent an intensive testing and development process that centered its user at every stage. “We developed ElliQ with a specific goal: to help seniors age in place comfortably, combating loneliness and social isolation by providing a sense of connection and community from the comfort of their own homes.” This group of senior participants played a pivotal role in shaping and refining ElliQ through beta testing, endowing it with distinct personality traits, mannerisms, and interactive modalities, including motion, dialogue design, LEDs, and on-screen visuals, to foster meaningful connections with actual people. He noted that during extensive testing with hundreds of seniors, “we’ve observed older adults forming genuine relationships with ElliQ, akin to a roommate rather than a smart device.”

The outcomes since deploying our innovative solution in homes throughout New York have been truly remarkable, effectively enhancing socialization and mental stimulation for older generations. “As part of our commitment to enhancing senior living, in May 2022, we forged a strategic partnership with the New York State Office for the Aging, enabling us to provide over 800 ElliQ devices to seniors across New York State at no cost to them.” In recent weeks, our organization has successfully renewed its partnership, yielding impressive results. Notably, a 95% reduction in loneliness has been observed among older adults using the platform, accompanied by significant improvements in overall well-being. Across New York, ElliQ customers consistently showcase remarkably high levels of engagement, averaging over 30 interactions daily, six days a week. More than three quarters of these interactions are linked to improving the overall health and wellbeing of older adults in terms of their physical, emotional, and social aspects.

For skeptics dismissing ElliQ as a mere Alexa mimic, the question arises: Why didn’t the behemoths of tech, the FAANG giants, simply acquire or outcompete this startup? Skuler’s response was designed with little consideration for older adults or for a broad audience, as it solely focuses on Alexa and other digital assistants’ capabilities for younger end-users. In addition, their primary focus lies in reactive AI, implying that they do not initiate conversations or offer solutions unless specifically prompted by the customer. ElliQ is engineered to foster sustained interactions with customers through a proactive approach to engagement over extended periods. Its proactive offerings and conversational capabilities cultivate a profound connection with consumers. The seamless fusion of Generative AI and Large Language Models enables ElliQ to deliver rich, consistent conversations, fostering a deeper understanding of users through more nuanced, personalized, and outcome-focused exchanges. As users immerse themselves in ElliQ’s cutting-edge capabilities and innovative features, they form a connection with the device akin to savoring a rich espresso or exploring a virtual art museum globally, fostering trust that empowers ElliQ to inspire seniors to lead a healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle.

While ElliQ and OpenAI’s ChatGPT have shown promising potential in addressing mental health disorders, certain healthcare experts still express reservations. At Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Professor and Psychologist Danah Boyd expresses concerns that machine interactions may lead people down a path where they are encouraged to overlook what makes humans unique, pushing us alongside the highway, as if we’re merely passing by something that truly matters. Turkle suggests that the efficiency of empathy should not be measured by empathy itself. In a world where authenticity and genuine human connection are increasingly rare, the realm of companion, lover, therapist, and greatest buddy stands out as an unparalleled source of solace and comfort.