Study reveals elderly value authenticity in AI chatbots for companionship

A study published in the journal Innovation in Aging found that elderly individuals in Singapore are more likely to accept AI chatbots if they perceive them as authentic and socially engaging. The research, led by Professor Yow Wei Quin from Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), involved 140 seniors aged 60 to 89 who interacted with the Ami Chat robot. The study highlighted that factors such as perceived ease of use, social interaction, and authenticity significantly influence elderly users' willingness to adopt AI companions. Ami Chat, powered by a large language model, features a friendly Singaporean female avatar and simple voice-based interaction. The findings suggest that while authenticity and social engagement are key, overly human-like AI may reduce acceptance. The study also noted that individuals with lower self-rated health showed higher adoption rates, possibly due to greater need for social support. The research team plans to track long-term usage of the updated Ami-Go platform, which now integrates with a bilingual cognitive training tool.