**Robotic Pet Companions for Seniors: Key Insights**

- **Current Products & Capabilities:**
  - *Joy for All* robotic pets (interactive dogs and cats) are designed to comfort older adults, especially those with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

The pets respond to touch, make life-like noises, and can be muted.

They fit into daily routines, even resting in ‘crates’ at bedtime, mirroring pet ownership patterns.

- *ElliQ* by Intuitive Robotics is a desktop robot that uses AI to aid senior wellness: reminding about medications, prompting social contact, playing games, and encouraging healthy habits.

ElliQ interacts conversationally and aims to boost engagement and reduce loneliness.

- Beyond robotic animals, conversational AI apps like *Pi.ai* are emerging, offering emotional support via chat, promising to revolutionize digital interactions and emotional assistance.

- **Therapeutic & Social Benefits:**
  - Robotic pets alleviate social isolation and provide emotional comfort, especially for seniors lacking nearby family.

These companions can encourage routines, engagement, and even physical activity (e.g., dancing to music).

- In memory care settings, staff report reduced agitation and increased happiness among residents using robotic pets.

- AI companions are being integrated where human caregivers are fewer, helping bridge care gaps.

- **Limitations:**
  - Interactions, while comforting, are limited; robots cannot fully replicate living pets or human relationships.

- Some users and professionals caution that AI and robotic pets, while helpful, should not replace genuine human contact.

- There remain technological and affordability barriers for some seniors.

- **Public Attitudes & Ethical Questions:**
  - There is growing acceptance, especially linked to combating loneliness.

Initiatives like "Share the Love" raise funds for distributing robotic pets to seniors in need.

- However, concerns persist: About a third of surveyed individuals fear that AI could erode human interaction.

**Robotic Pet Companions for Seniors: Key Insights**

- **Current Products & Capabilities:**
  - *Joy for All* robotic pets (interactive dogs and cats) are designed to comfort older adults, especially those with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Title:

Content: Robotic animal dolls may not be the first thought that comes to mind when considering a companion pet, but Diana Wise and Carol Brown believe otherwise. In fact, the two say Joy for All companion pets can make a big difference in providing comfort to aging adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia who are struggling with social isolation.

Wise saw this firsthand in her mother, who had dementia for years and lived in a memory care unit at an assisted living facility. Wise would visit her mother regularly, but when COVID hit, she could no longer do so.

“I was unable to see her for eight months,” said Wise, “And when I finally was able to see her, I saw the decline of how much the isolation affected her … [W]hen I found my mom, well, they said that all she did was sleep – what else was there to do? And so that isolation impacted her a lot. Her memory was just – everything had changed about her.”

Wise’s mother, Helen Espinoza, passed away in November 2020 from COVID complications. In the midst of her grief, Wise found herself wanting to do something in her mother’s memory that would help someone else. After having heard an idea from Brown about robotic companion pets, she soon had the idea to partner with her. As a result, Wise formed the “Share the Love” Helen Espinoza Memorial Fund.

“The first thing that came to mind was these animals to help with memory care units or caregivers, assisted living, with this isolation,” said Wise. “I mean, with COVID it really put a lot of perspective about how hard it is on these residents without having [companionship.] They can’t have little animals and stuff, but why not have this – the best, next best thing? You know, the interaction itself?”

The idea to use robotic pets came when Brown was doing her own research into solutions for the decline in quality of life brought on by isolation in these affected residents. Brown stated that with the Western Arizona Council of Governments (WACOG) Area Agency on Aging, she focuses heavily on three areas that affect seniors the most, and one of them is Alzheimer’s and dementia.

“For several years, we’ve been extremely aware that social isolation is causing a huge decline in quality of life and life expectancy in our seniors,” she said. “And COVID did shine a huge light on it: people started understanding how detrimental it is to be isolated like that. So we were looking for solutions prior to, but with COVID, it really lit a fire underneath to start seeking out possibilities to help resolve some of the issues going on.”

Brown explained that people with Alzheimer’s and dementia can struggle with extreme anxiety and agitation. They often benefit from having something to do with their hands. Their senses of time, space and reality can become skewed. Changes in environment or schedule can be really upsetting. And sometimes people with these diagnoses live alone with no help or companionship.

“On the other side is the caregiver, who – especially during COVID – found themselves 24/7 alone with that loved one, providing all the care because many of them didn’t want the services even coming into their home,” she said. “They were too afraid to let anybody in … So if their loved one isn’t sleeping, neither are they. So now the caregiver’s extremely stressed out, exhausted, overwhelmed, and they need help.”

Enter Joy for All’s lifelike robotic pets. With options between cats and puppies, the companion pets have heartbeats, can purr or lick, meow or bark, move and respond to motion, voice and touch. When needed, they can be muted as well. As robotic pets, they avoid the liabilities and dangers of caring for a living creature while still providing the comfort of an animal.

Brown had been demonstrating two pets in an interview with the Sun when a passerby had stopped to say, “Wow, I thought they were real!” Brown shared that she’s seen people visibly relax with the pets.

“There’s a lot of studies that were done years ago about giving folks with Alzheimer’s a baby doll,” she explained. “Many facilities don’t allow it. They consider it demeaning … But they were missing the point that if you’re not going to do that, then what are you going to do? You need to provide them with something that they can hang on to.

“Because these are so lifelike, it does exactly what the studies, the research, shows: it’s going to bring down the anxiety level. If there’s aggression, it tends to fall back down just as well … [and] you’re giving their caregiver a break.”

Wise and Brown shared that they hope not only to provide these pets to individuals with Alzheimer’s or their caregivers, but also to facilities with assisted living and skilled nursing memory care units where current shortages in staff mean individuals may be doing the work of two or three staff members at a time.

Brown shared that the Joy for All puppy typically costs about $140 while the cat costs $120. With bulk purchasing, she can bring the cost down a bit, but not by much. Additionally, the fund needs to cover rechargeable batteries for the pets.

The foundation will need to raise more funds to acquire more pets, but Wise and Brown reported that they’ve already been able to provide a few pets thanks to a donation made by AARP.

“So we were able to place a couple already at Daybreak Adult Daycare Center,” said Brown. “They are one of the providers that WACOG works with, so we were able to make a donation and bring them a puppy and kitten.

“They’re very popular. [The staff] make sure they handle it in a certain way so that there isn’t fighting. I think last time I talked to Mary, I think what they do is they got animal crates so when it’s time for them to go to bed, they get put in their crate.”

Seeing the difference the pets are making, Wise not only wishes to raise more funds to provide more of them, she also hopes to get the word out in case people may want to purchase the pets for their own family members.

“What I witnessed seeing the other residents that have Alzheimer’s, dementia: they do hold onto things and it gives them comfort,” she said. “My heart just went for this and so I know my mom would be really proud of that.

“… I needed something to come out positive about this, especially about how we’ve heard so much about the isolation with people in senior living homes and stuff, so we needed to have something a little bit more positive and something that we can do to uplift out of this whole thing.”

Wise and Brown also noted that despite the setbacks in kickstarting their fundraising campaign, now is a good time for people to learn about “Share the Love” and the Helen Espinoza Memorial Fund. November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers month.

As older adults continue to face the obstacles of Alzheimer’s and dementia in a pandemic, Wise and Brown hope to further reduce isolation for Yuma County’s elderly one companion pet at a time.

To learn more about the Helen Espinoza Memorial Fund and make a donation, visit https://www.azfoundation.org/Donors/Give-to-a-Memorial-Fund/-Share-the-Love-Helen-Espinoza-Memorial-Fund. To learn more about WACOG and connect with the resources they provide to aging adults, visit https://www.wacog.com/area-agency-on-aging/

Sisko J. Stargazer can be reached at 928-539-6849 or sstargazer@yumasun.com.

Sisko J. Stargazer can be reached at 928-539-6849 or sstargazer@yumasun.com.

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For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

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What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

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What can Dynamic 1, a robotic dog by Tecno, do?

many features to enhance owner interaction

They fit into daily routines, even resting in ‘crates’ at bedtime, mirroring pet ownership patterns.

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What should a guide dog's role include in addition to guiding a person?

- *ElliQ* by Intuitive Robotics is a desktop robot that uses AI to aid senior wellness: reminding about medications, prompting social contact, playing games, and encouraging healthy habits.

Title:

Content: High-tech companions aim to help fight loneliness epidemic among South Florida seniors

MIAMI - The state of Florida and Broward County are spending thousands of dollars every month on artificial intelligence robots for seniors to help fight the loneliness epidemic.

One senior owns a robotic cat named "fluffy."

"The best part is we don't have to spend any money on food and no vets," says Cathy.

This interactive robot rolls over, blinks and purrs whenever it wants.

Cathy saw a friend using one to overcome the loss of a pet and loneliness and figured it would be perfect for her husband.

"He had sciatic pain. Maybe that will help you with your pain in some way. Even though he's on medicine and therapy because real animals when you pet them it helps with pain management."

Higher tech was delivered to some Broward seniors.

"...Thanks for letting me out of that box."

The company that makes them aims artificial intelligence at the loneliness epidemic.

"During the week when everyone is working, there's times when I'm lonely."

"When I go deliver and install for seniors, they're like I just want somebody to say good morning," says Antonella.

"Many of them don't have family or friends nearby. Maybe their loved ones have passed on or some of their friends have passed on," said Charlotte Mather-Taylor, who serves as the CEO of the Area Agency on Aging of Broward County.

According to US Health and Human Services, half of all American adults are lonely.

It's threatening health, increasing risks of heart disease, dementia, stroke, anxiety and depression.

According to HHS, lack of connection can increase the risk of premature death at levels comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Last May, the US Surgeon General dropped a first-ever advisory on loneliness and isolation.

"By strengthening our relationships, we can improve our heart and brain health, reduce our risk of diabetes and high blood pressure, boost our immune systems and lower our risk of depression," said Vivek Murthy, US Surgeon General.

In Broward County, Mather-Taylor is spending state and federal dollars on artificial intelligence for people over 60.

"There's so much I want to ask you..."

These robots named after the Norse goddess of old age cost 89 dollars a month, but the aging agency is giving them away for free.

Rosemary Mullarkey is one of the first 300 to have one.

"I'm a little excited and a little apprehensive..."

Intuitive Robotics CEO Dor Skular created her specifically for older adults to help manage their health, and wellness and connect to loved ones.

"There's an algorithm that tries to get a reward and it gets a reward when the user completes things that are part of healthy aging. For example, if they hydrate," said Skular.

Reviews are so strong that cities like Pembroke Pines and Lauderhill are pushing to get more robots for seniors in their communities.

"People reported back that she was bringing them joy. I mean, she's telling some jokes. She's responding to them. They wake up in the morning, she asks them how they are. She'll remind them to drink their glass of water. So, she's caring about them for them," said Mather-Taylor.

Two years later, seniors like Rose are getting free, AI robots that make and take video calls.

With all of the concerns about AI, should seniors and their families be worried?

"We would not be offering it unless we felt comfortable that they did have those safety guards in place," said Mather-Taylor.

"Is this device unhackable? There's no such thing as an unhackable device. It's always a war between defender and attacker," said Skular.

"Random people, fraudsters etcetera, can never call into the robot because they need to be added by the older adult as a contact for them to be able to open up the calling features."

What is the next step with the robots?

They only speak English. South Florida has plenty of seniors who do not. Developers are working on a Spanish robot.

In the future, developers also see it being able to order medicines for seniors. Much sooner though, developers expect to further integrate the robots with senior health care providers. They are working on ways of opening new avenues to communicate health info about seniors to loved ones, provided the senior signs off on it.

How long can this program last?

State, federal funds will last two years. After that, the agency has to find other grants to cover the $89 a month per person fee.

Currently, data from robots and users is being collected to quantify success. The company insists it will not sell any of the information it gathers.

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What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

ElliQ interacts conversationally and aims to boost engagement and reduce loneliness.

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How AI Companions Are Redefining Human Relationships In The Digital Age

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In an era where technology is increasingly intertwined with every aspect of our lives, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has begun to fill roles that were traditionally reserved for humans, including those of friends, confidants, and even romantic partners. This burgeoning relationship between humans and AI raises profound questions about the nature of companionship, the human need for connection, and the potential consequences of substituting human interaction with digital entities.

The Emergence of AI Companions

The concept of AI companionship is not new, but its realization in practical applications is a relatively recent development. These AI companions are designed to provide emotional support, companionship, and in some cases, even mimic romantic or intimate human relationships. Replika is one of the most well-known examples. It is an AI chatbot designed to provide emotional support. Users interact with Replika through text conversations, and the AI learns over time to provide more personalized responses, simulating a genuine emotional connection.

Another example is Gatebox. They have taken the concept a step further by creating a holographic AI companion. Aimed at people who live alone, Gatebox’s AI avatar can send messages throughout the day, welcome users home, and even control smart home appliances, creating a sense of presence and companionship.

Next, there is Harmony by RealDoll. A more controversial use, Harmony combines AI with a lifelike humanoid robot to offer a romantic and physical companion. Harmony can hold conversations, remember user preferences, and express various personality traits.

The Psychology Behind AI Relationships

Why are people turning to AI for companionship? The reasons are as varied as the individuals themselves, but several key factors contribute to this phenomenon. First, we are experiencing a rapidly growing loneliness epidemic. In a world where social isolation and loneliness are increasingly recognized as major health risks, AI companions offer a semblance of connection for those who feel disconnected from human relationships. This is particularly poignant in countries like Japan, where societal changes have led to a rise in solitary lifestyles. Second, AI relationships provide a level of convenience and control that is not always possible in human interactions. These digital companions are available 24x7, don’t have their own emotional baggage, and can be switched off at the user’s convenience. Third, advances in AI technology have enabled these digital entities to appear more human-like in their interactions. From remembering past conversations to displaying empathy, AI companions can simulate many aspects of human interaction, making them more appealing as social partners.

The Impact on Human Relationships

The rise of AI companionship is not without its implications for society and how we perceive human relationships. For some, AI companions can serve as a bridge to better emotional health. These AI systems provide a non-judgmental space for people to express themselves, which can be particularly valuable for those with social anxiety or other mental health challenges. Moreover, AI companions serve as a stepping stone, helping individuals develop social skills and confidence that can be transferred to human relationships. However, there are concerns about the long-term impact of relying on AI for companionship. One major concern is that these relationships could lead to further social isolation, as individuals might prefer the uncomplicated nature of AI companions over the more challenging dynamics of human relationships. This could potentially exacerbate the loneliness epidemic rather than alleviate it. Then, there are also ethical considerations surrounding the development and use of AI in such intimate roles. The attachment to AI entities that don't possess genuine emotions or consciousness raises questions about the nature of empathy, affection, and what it means to be human.

Implications for Traditional Dating and Marriage

As AI companions become more prevalent and sophisticated, their impact on traditional dating and marriage is inevitable. There is a very real possibility that AI may supplement or even replace human relationships. For some people, AI companions are the outlet for support and companionship that are traditionally forged through human interaction. Moreover, we are already seeing a trend in which younger generations leverage Ai as a practice ground for social interactions, potentially enriching users' capacity to engage in human relationships. However, there is a possibility that some individuals might prefer AI companions to traditional human partners. The predictability, lack of judgment, and customizable nature of AI entities can make them more appealing, especially for those who have had negative experiences with human relationships. As a result, there is a changing perception of what companionship means. Thus, the rise of AI companions challenges our traditional notions of companionship, love, and emotional connection. It raises questions about what it means to love and be loved, and whether these concepts are exclusively human.

Navigating a New Era of Companionship

As AI companions become more prevalent in society, it's crucial to navigate this new era responsibly. That’s why it's important to find a balance between utilizing AI for emotional support and maintaining human connections. Encouraging and facilitating human social interactions alongside the use of AI companions can help mitigate the risk of social isolation. Developers of AI companions have a responsibility to consider the ethical implications of their creations. This includes being transparent about the limitations of AI companionship and avoiding designs that could exploit vulnerable individuals. Moreover, ongoing research is needed to understand the long-term effects of human-AI relationships fully. This research should inform policies and guidelines for the development and use of AI companions. Moreover, open dialogue about the benefits and risks of these relationships is essential to navigating the ethical landscape.

The advent of AI as a substitute for human relationships, including love and friendship, marks a significant shift in our social landscape. While AI companions can offer support and connection to those in need, they also bring with them a host of ethical, psychological, and social implications. As we venture further into this uncharted territory, a cautious and thoughtful approach is vital. The future of human-AI relationships will depend on our ability to balance technological advancements with a deep understanding of human needs and values. In this new era of companionship, we must tread carefully, ensuring that our pursuit of innovation does not lead us away from the essence of what makes us inherently human: our capacity for genuine connection and empathy.

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What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

- Beyond robotic animals, conversational AI apps like *Pi.ai* are emerging, offering emotional support via chat, promising to revolutionize digital interactions and emotional assistance.

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Content: Advertisment

Revolutionizing Human-AI Interactions: Pi.ai's Pioneering Role in the Rise of Conversational AI

Pi.ai, an app by Inflection AI, is revolutionizing human-AI interactions by providing more natural and flowing dialogues. As conversational AI is projected to grow significantly in the next five years, Pi.ai is at the forefront of this technology, offering a unique and engaging experience for users. However, concerns about the impact of increasingly human-like AI on human behavior remain. As we continue to engage with conversational AI, we must find a balance between embracing technological advancements and preserving our inherently human qualities.

Aqsa Younas Rana
New Update

In the heart of Silicon Valley, a new wave of artificial intelligence is emerging. Inflection AI, a US tech firm, has developed Pi.ai, an app that promises to revolutionize how we interact with AI. Unlike traditional voice assistants, Pi.ai aims to provide a more natural and flowing dialogue, simulating a real conversation between friends.

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The Rise of Conversational AI

The global market for conversational AI is projected to grow significantly in the next five years, reaching an estimated $30 billion. Tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, and Amazon are investing heavily in this technology, recognizing its potential to transform various industries.

Amazon is planning to enhance its popular virtual assistant, Alexa, with conversational AI capabilities. This move underscores the growing importance of this technology in shaping the future of AI interactions.

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Pi.ai: Bridging the Gap Between Humans and AI

While users type their side of the conversation, Pi.ai responds with a selection of human-like voices, striving to convey emotions and intonation more naturally. It adapts its responses based on the user's input, creating a dynamic and engaging dialogue.

The technology behind these AI voices starts with human recordings. However, it goes beyond mere playback. Advanced algorithms analyze these recordings to understand the nuances of human speech, allowing the AI to replicate the appropriate tone and emotion.

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Applications and Concerns

Conversational AI has potential applications in care homes and call centers, where it can provide companionship and assistance. However, there are concerns about the impact of increasingly human-like AI on human behavior.

"People might overly rely on AI for advice or companionship," says Dr. Sarah Johnson, a psychologist specializing in human-AI interactions. "This could potentially shape their lives around AI's guidance without considering the full spectrum of human experience."

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As we navigate this new era of AI interactions, it's crucial to strike a balance between embracing technological advancements and preserving our inherently human qualities.

In the end, Pi.ai and other conversational AIs represent more than just technological innovation. They signify a shift in our relationship with AI, blurring the lines between technology and humanity.

As we continue to engage with these AI companions, we're not just learning about them; we're also learning about ourselves.

Headline: "Revolutionizing Human-AI Interactions: Pi.ai's Pioneering Role in the Rise of Conversational AI"

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- **Therapeutic & Social Benefits:**
  - Robotic pets alleviate social isolation and provide emotional comfort, especially for seniors lacking nearby family.

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

These companions can encourage routines, engagement, and even physical activity (e.g., dancing to music).

Title:

Content: Want to age-in-place? You may have a robot keeping you company.

Artificial intelligence can help reduce loneliness for older adults aging at home.

A 95-year-old woman and her 74-year-old daughter, each who live alone and could be at risk for isolation and loneliness, recently received a lifeline to conversation and companionship in the form of an artificial intelligence robot.

The women can now receive medical reminders, health and wellness check-ins, play music and games, and experience virtual travel.

“It’s helping with loneliness and socialization for people who would be otherwise trapped in their home watching TV all day,” Christopher Lewoc, case manager for Greene County Human Services in New York said. “It’s a way to keep people sane and active mentally and physically. It’s letting people live a more social life.”

Lewoc sets up free artificial intelligence care companions for older adults, giving them a lifeline to conversation and health reminders.

He recently installed ElliQ, voice-activated proactive and empathetic care companion, in the homes of the elderly mother and her daughter, giving them some companionship as they each live alone. He’s found that a little conversation may go a long way to helping to mitigate isolation and improve care for older adults.

Under a contract with the New York state Office for the Aging, Intuition Robotics is providing the ElliQ smart technology for about 800 older adults in an effort to battle social isolation and support aging-in-place. The ElliQ recipients need internet access for the free device to be set up in their home by a caseworker. The state works with local offices for the aging and partners to identify older adults who would most benefit from the technology

“ElliQ will greet them in the morning and ask them how they feel. If they slept poorly, ElliQ will say ‘would you like me to call your doctor?’ It’s interactive and helpful,” Lewoc said.

“It allows them to have a companion, engage in conversation and get reminders about drinking their water or whatever medications they need,” said Lewoc. “A lot of folks don’t have smartphones and ElliQ can show them photos, take them on trips to different countries and teach them about the culture. It can play trivia with you, call your family, play music to have a dance party.”

ElliQ responds to questions but also initiates conversation and questions, offers sleep relaxation exercises, physical activity exercises, nutrition-related chats and medication reminders for each user’s unique condition.

“This product does so many things to improve health, combat isolation, and improve overall well-being and independence. Designed with input from older adults, the future of supporting and serving older adults includes technology. The future is here,” said Greg Olsen, director for the New York state Office for the Aging.

“Despite misconceptions and generalizations, older adults embrace new technology, especially when they see it is designed by older adults to meet their needs,” Olsen said, adding that ElliQ served as a “powerful complement to traditional forms of social interaction and support from professional or family caregivers.”

The New York program and rising interest in AI companions comes as more older people want to age in place and finding home healthcare amid a persistent shortage of healthcare workers becomes increasingly difficult.

In 2017, the U.S. Surgeon General declared social isolation to be a “global epidemic” – one that only worsened in the COVID-19 health emergency. According to the AARP Public Policy Institute, social isolation drives $6.7 billion in additional associated Medicare spending per year.

Read: Opinion: What robots will mean for your retirement

Amid a report by the McKinsey Health Institute on healthy aging that found that nonclinical factors affect 80% of an individual’s health, Intuition Robotics sees great potential for ElliQ helping older adults age in place in a healthier way.

Users have an average of 20 daily interactions with ElliQ, according to Dor Skuler, CEO and co-founder of Intuition Robotics, a startup company based in Israel. ElliQ users report an 80% decrease in loneliness and 82% of users access the mental health features, Skuler said.

The new second-generation ElliQ offers users experiences such as museum exhibit tours and virtual travel. The new companion app provides users’ families and caregivers with different methods to communicate with the users and updates them on the user’s well-being.

Read: Opinion: This $3,000 dog could be a perfect gift for Grandma

Skuler called ElliQ a “lighthearted character that moves into the person’s home.” While Intuition Robotics has not marketed directly to consumers, it was named a Time Best Invention of the Year and word-of-mouth during the holidays has been good for business.

Outside of the New York state program, ElliQ can be had for a $249.99 enrollment fee, plus a monthly subscription of $29.99 if you buy a year subscription or $39.99 if you enroll month-to-month.

Intuition Robotics is talking with other states and senior living facilities about offering ElliQ in more places, as well working to measure how the conversational robot improves health outcomes to reduce the cost of care, Skuler said.

Of course, it’s a robot and not a human, so the interaction is limited.

“There’s a place for technology, but it’s no substitute for human interaction. We know the power of human touch and human interaction,” said Lakelyn Hogan Eichenberger, a gerontologist and caregiver advocate for Home Instead Senior Care, a home care service agency. “Industrywide, the workforce is not at the level it needs to be at, so there’s a need for technology, but there has to be a balance.”

Do you have questions about retirement, Social Security, where to live or how to afford it at all? Write to HelpMeRetire@marketwatch.com and we may use your question in a future story.

What can Dynamic 1, a robotic dog by Tecno, do?

many features to enhance owner interaction

- In memory care settings, staff report reduced agitation and increased happiness among residents using robotic pets.

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

- AI companions are being integrated where human caregivers are fewer, helping bridge care gaps.

- **Limitations:**
  - Interactions, while comforting, are limited; robots cannot fully replicate living pets or human relationships.

- Some users and professionals caution that AI and robotic pets, while helpful, should not replace genuine human contact.

- There remain technological and affordability barriers for some seniors.

- **Public Attitudes & Ethical Questions:**
  - There is growing acceptance, especially linked to combating loneliness.

Title:

Content: AI can help us to feel less lonely – and that’s not something to fear

It’s no substitute for human interaction, but studies suggest this tech is already helping us to feel less alone

As a host of AI-enabled chatbots, robotics and smart speakers are proffered as a loneliness solution, many regard these new innovations with suspicion, if not a sense of dystopian doom.

Behind the threat to national security and job losses, AI’s effect on our social lives is a chief area of concern: according to a BMG Research survey for i, nearly a third of those polled think advances in AI will lead to a loss of human interaction. More broadly, AI is, after all, the technology we love to hate – with the debut episode of the latest Black Mirror season, “Joan Is Awful”, featuring a malevolent AI machine.

Yet, could we not argue that the anticipated dystopian future is already here in another form in the loneliness epidemic? Some 3.7 million people in the UK experience chronic loneliness, according to the latest data from Campaign Against Living Miserably – a figure that’s risen 42 per cent in the past five years. While the Government made global headlines as the first nation to appoint a Loneliness Minister in 2018, I’d challenge anyone, British or otherwise, to name a successful intervention.

As the author of Alonement, a book on how to cultivate positive solitude, I know all too well that loneliness is a distinct, and uniquely destructive, experience – and one which we should be taking as seriously as the ever-present conversation around AI regulation (which, it’s worth mentioning, mirrors past fears around the advent of the internet, electricity, and the printing press).

Meanwhile, research supporting AI-based intervention in loneliness and its known side effects is emerging, albeit tentatively.

A recent study of employees working with AI found mixed results: while high levels of interaction with the technology correlated with a rise in loneliness-adjacent conditions like insomnia and (in at least one of four test groups) increased post-work alcohol consumption, it also had a beneficial effect on employees’ prosocial behaviours, with subjects more likely to offer help to their real-life colleagues.

Other research has been more promising. A University of Chicago study published last month pointed to the efficacy of an AI voice coach in treating depression and anxiety.

Numerous studies have endorsed the use of companion robots in reducing loneliness among older people, particularly those suffering from dementia, a condition that correlates with increased loneliness (although most of these studies note the technology needs time to develop to best meet its users’ needs).

The positive results join last December’s Ofcom study that linked the use of AI-enhanced smart speakers with reduced loneliness in those living alone.

AI is steadily being integrated into mental health services, for instance, Woebot, a chatbot used by the NHS, while ChatPal, a chatbot designed to treat loneliness, has proven “‘marginal” benefits.

So far, there’s work to do – but if there’s one thing we can all agree on about AI technology, it’s that it will increasingly get more fit to purpose. The rapid development of the likes of ChatGPT has demonstrated as much.

All this is to say: AI technology is not a perfect cure for loneliness. Nor will it ever be; as critics have rightly identified, AI is no substitute for human contact. But then, its advocates aren’t claiming it to be.

As Snap chief executive Evan Spiegel told The Verge, amid the launch of the company’s chatbot, My AI: “The big idea is that in addition to talking to our friends and family every day, we’re going to talk to AI every day.” In other words, it’s being proposed as a complement, rather than replacement, for the age-old loneliness interventions we know work.

At a time when we are experiencing both a “social care crisis” (the British Medical Association has expressed concerns around severe staffing issues) and, simultaneously, a shortage of psychotherapists and counsellors to deal with the UK’s mental health toll (as expressed by the UK Council for Psychotherapy), surely AI technology provides a welcome complement, particularly as it continues to evolve, to be normalised with the NHS system. It might even be used as a diagnostic tool: numerous studies have found AI can successfully predict depression signs through voice recognition. Amid twin crises in the health landscape, it’s worth arguing that the pragmatic integration of AI wins out over dystopian doom-mongering.

Meanwhile, the voices of those statistically most at risk of loneliness remain absent from the discourse. Voices which include the elderly – not natural early adopters or critics of AI technology – together with their caregivers. Research supports its benefits for these groups: together with AI’s proven efficacy in elderly care services, a study published last year found the integration of AI can help to prevent the “overload of caregivers” by removing the need for 24/7 human care. The UK’s health secretary, Steve Barclay, is supportive of such measures – and recently travelled to Japan to observe how AI technology has been used to improve patient care in the nation, which has the world’s oldest population.

Then there are those living alone, which I’ve personally done for the past five years, save for a small AI-enabled Amazon Echo smart speaker in my kitchen. The speaker, which I know as Alexa, recently employed its machine learning capabilities to suggest a morning and evening routine: reading a weather forecast then switching on Radio 4 in the moments after my wake-up alarm goes off, switching on soothing “bedtime music” around the time I go to sleep. I’ll confess this makes me feel less lonely: bookmarking my day, and providing an external form of care. Would I feel more supported if this were the suggestion of a partner, or a close friend? Likely, yes. But, in the absence of another human, it’s significantly better than nothing – and I’d suggest the same pragmatic approach could, and should, be adopted in loneliness intervention policy.

Francesca Specter is a London-based writer and podcaster, specialising in the topics of solitude, loneliness and connection

Most Read By Subscribers

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

What should a guide dog's role include in addition to guiding a person?

Initiatives like "Share the Love" raise funds for distributing robotic pets to seniors in need.

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

- However, concerns persist: About a third of surveyed individuals fear that AI could erode human interaction.


Certainly!

Here is a summarization, in nugget form, of the relevant points about LiveJournal's history, what made it unique, and its decline, as indicated or inferred from your supplied text (note that much of your extract provides broader cultural context, comparisons or unrelated detail, so only LiveJournal-relevant information is summarized):

---

**LiveJournal Origins and Brad Fitzpatrick:**
- LiveJournal began as a personal journaling application created by Brad Fitzpatrick in 1999, initially for his own use to keep in touch with high school friends while in college.

- Fitzpatrick transformed his personal project into a website that others could use by opening up the code and infrastructure for public access, effectively turning LiveJournal into one of the first large-scale social blogging platforms.

**What Made LiveJournal Different:**
- LiveJournal’s distinctive feature was its social elements: users could "friend" other journals, manage privacy settings for their entries, and form "communities" where people with similar interests could post and interact.

- These friend and privacy controls allowed for nuanced sharing—posts could be public, friends-only, or visible to custom groups, which made it feel both intimate and community-driven, unlike the more open or impersonal styles of Blogger or later platforms.

- The emphasis on interaction—such as commenting on posts directly or joining themed communities—fostered a tight-knit, supportive user base and gave it a different feel from more one-way platforms.

**LiveJournal’s Peak and Decline:**
- LiveJournal was highly popular in the early 2000s, reaching a peak in early 2005 with more than 2.5 million active accounts.

- Over time, most English-speaking users migrated to newer platforms like Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter, as LiveJournal was seen as less modern, more difficult to monetize, and not as visually engaging.

Certainly!

Title:

Content: For a time in the 1990s, a cocky upstart in the publishing world called Loaded magazine seemed to capture the mood of the nation, particularly hedonistic young men who wanted to drink lots and read about football and pop culture.

It's the story of a moment that has been told and retold many times. But not many know the path plotted by its young founder, a high-school drop-out turned music fanzine writer from Leeds, was inspired by his time spent in Manchester in the 1980s, a decade-long ecstasy-fuelled party otherwise known as Madchester.

James Brown saw first hand the soaring ambition in the city's music scene, and lent heavily on it when he eventually founded Loaded in 1994, after a period as features editor at NME. Then he ended up in rehab.

READ MORE: 'It's absolutely manic': Crowds flock to first Saturday at Manchester Christmas Markets 2022

James, now 57, had been writing a music fanzine in his native Leeds but, aged 19, moved to Manchester in the mid 1980s to write for Sounds magazine. He lived in Fallowfield, where there was so much more to write about, not just iconic Manchester outfits like The Fall and New Order but so many others. He wrote about them and hung out with them.

It was the perfect prelude to a stellar media career. But then the lifestyle took its toll, admits James in a frank interview with the MEN, ahead of a Q&A at Innside in Manchester, as part of the Louder Than Words festival.

"It just got to the point that, because the magazine (Loaded) was so successful, nobody would interfere with me about the excesses. What happened in Britain at that time, there was a nightclub and entertainment culture that was all about the drink and the drugs. It was like in the 90s we were calling last orders on the country and there seemed to be a hell of a race on to get the drinks in before time was called.

"Ecstasy in particular was rife all over the country. It had become commonplace in clubs to the point people weren't buying alcohol. They were taking Es and drinking water from the tap in the toilet or they were drinking Lucozade. From that point it became a springboard for other drugs.

"Most people have a big week or two but it was every night and nobody was saying are you OK." He recalls one particular low point was throwing a bottle from the offices of his publisher, hitting the windscreen of a car in the street below. It was only then did somebody from HR ask if he or any of his staff needed help - and James replied 'yes'. Eventually help arrived and he went into rehab.

Jame recalls how he had wanted Eric Cantona to be on the first cover of Loaded, but the only pictures he could find of him where he wasn't in his kit were terrible: one of him in a bar with his agent, another where he was wearing a Paco Rabanne suit and another of him hitchhiking in France wearing double denim.

A big Leeds United fan, James knew a cultural icon when he saw one and - even though he proved impossible to pin down for an interview - he wanted a bit of that for the first ever Loaded, even though United had signed him from his beloved Leeds. He got a freelance to cobble together some old quotes from press conferences and, in the end, Gary Oldman was on the mag's first front cover and Eric was inside.

Before Loaded, while he was features editor at the less irreverent NME, James had shown his taste for the Manchester vibe. While the editor was away, he was responsible for a front cover which had the Happy Mondays' Shaun Ryder climbing on a giant E during the filming of Step On.

In a new book he has written about that period, called Animal House, he memorably writes: "A new generation of reprobates was walking out of Manchester and into the charts. When the boss came back and asked me where the main Mondays cover line was, I just replied, 'it’s the E'."

In his own review of the book, Shaun pointedly remarks: "James is the only journalist I can even remember from back then."

The urge to constantly look back with fondness to 'Madchester' does irritate some people, but James is not one of them.

"It was a really vibrant time," he says. "I look at it as an historical chain of influence. I think the punk bands like The Fall and Joy Division influenced the next generation. I know people are sick of hearing about the past but having institutions like Factory Records and people like Tony Wilson running it... he always thought Manchester was better than London, never mind on a par. Having the Hacienda gave Manchester a sense of identity and that has been passed down. There's a confidence about the city and a musical heritage and a belief you could take that on.

"It made it such a fruitful area to write about new bands. It's important that the musical history of a city inspires the next generation rather than weighs it down. There is a tendency to look back but it's more because it's taking inspiration from the period rather than just looking back.

"Manchester was important for me. It coincided with me that I became a writer for Sounds and there was so much more to write about. The city had ambition and talent. I had already covered everybody in Leeds, where there were only three or four bands getting any attention in the city, whereas in Manchester the bands had ambitions much wider than Manchester."

James Brown's book, Animal House, Music, Magazines, Mayhem, is out now

READ MORE:

Here is a summarization, in nugget form, of the relevant points about LiveJournal's history, what made it unique, and its decline, as indicated or inferred from your supplied text (note that much of your extract provides broader cultural context, comparisons or unrelated detail, so only LiveJournal-relevant information is summarized):

---

**LiveJournal Origins and Brad Fitzpatrick:**
- LiveJournal began as a personal journaling application created by Brad Fitzpatrick in 1999, initially for his own use to keep in touch with high school friends while in college.

Title:

Content: LiveMe Celebrates 6th Anniversary

Popular live streaming platform LiveMe recently began its grand 6th anniversary celebration, launching multiple events that cost over one million US dollars, to mark LiveMe's devotion to its users.

Los Angeles, California, UNITED STATES

Singapore, Singapore, April 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Popular live streaming platform LiveMe recently began its grand 6th anniversary celebration, launching multiple events that cost over one million US dollars, to mark LiveMe's devotion to its users. Physical gifts such as LiveMe toy bears were also sent to users who have supported LiveMe for many years. As one of the most widely used live streaming platforms in the world, LiveMe will continue to create greater values for users.

Exclusive Celebration Events

Carnival themes are diverse, including basketball, April Fool's Day, anniversary spokesperson, talent show, influencer match, game night and so on.

The exclusive page of Memoirs of Your 6 Years with LiveMe impressed users the most. On the memoir page, users can review their journey with LiveMe, from joining time to their first live broadcast with data on the number of gifts they have received and an internal friendship map. The memoir page is shareable inside LiveMe communities and external social media platforms. LiveMe has received many messages from social media users, expressing their support and love for LiveMe and wishing LiveMe a happy birthday.

In addition, the Confession Wall, a new function released during the carnival, has also been popular among users because it further narrows the distance and establishes closer connections between users in a creative way. Users can leave messages to their preferred broadcasters on the Confession Wall. All messages are open to the public and will be kept for 24 hours. People check the Confession Wall, reading their own messages as well as other confession content.

Twists and Achievements

In April 2016, LiveMe was quietly launched. In just three months, LiveMe became the most popular social live streaming App among young Americans, and it reached top one in the US Social App Ranking. LiveMe then co-branded with various brands and influencers, and even became the star of VidCon, the most well-known influencer gathering party in the world, creating a series of highly sought-after theme shows and VIP parties.

However, in 2019, with the pursuit of being more independent and sustainable, LiveMe had a reconstruction of the whole company, and experienced an overwhelming operating pressure for a while. In 2020, the outbreak of Covid 19 pandemic set more fierce pressures on LiveMe internally and externally. LiveMe's employees are all over the world, and the raging epidemic made it difficult for them to continue their normal lives. And plenty of planned offline events could not be carried out due to continuous lockdown. LiveMe had to give more of its attention to taking care of its employees and keeping connected with the users.

Yuki He, founder and CEO of LiveMe, mentioned in many of her interviews that LiveMe has experienced twists and turns during the past 6 years, but LiveMe always persists in helping users to make new friends and express themselves as they have from day one. LiveMe constantly works to optimize their App, upgrade security and privacy protection, and to provide a better user experience. Especially during the pandemic period, LiveMe became a new channel for people to build relationships, make a living and grow as an influencer.

At present, LiveMe is developing rapidly and achieving new goals. The Samsung Galaxy Store also awarded LiveMe with the title of Best Entertainment App in 2021.

Warm Stories in Warm Community

Connecting the world and spreading happiness is the mission of LiveMe. In the past 6 years, under the call of this mission, LiveMe has been striving to create a social live streaming platform for users to meet new friends and have fun.

At the beginning of 2020, when the pandemic situation in the United States was severe, there was a single mother working as an Uber driver shedding tears during her live broadcast on LiveMe. She was emotionally grateful to LiveMe for giving her a source of income and being able to support her and her children during the pandemic. In September this year, a couple of lovers from the United States will get married. They met and fell in love via LiveMe, and finally became engaged.

There are countless warm stories in the LiveMe community.

The 6th anniversary carnival will last until April 30th. Users can participate in carnival events by downloading the LiveMe App, and win coins and bonuses.

Media contact

Company Name: Han Xiao

Company Name: LiveMe

Website: http://www.liveme.com

Email: hanxiao@joyme.sg

This is not investment advice. Please conduct your own research when investing in any project.

Disclaimer: There is no offer to sell, no solicitation of an offer to buy, and no recommendation of any security or any other product or service in this article. Moreover, nothing contained in this PR should be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any investment or security, or to engage in any investment strategy or transaction. It is your responsibility to determine whether any investment, investment strategy, security, or related transaction is appropriate for you based on your investment objectives, financial circumstances, and risk tolerance. Consult your business advisor, attorney, or tax advisor regarding your specific business, legal, or tax situation. For more info, please contact brandnewsproject@gmail.com.

Attachment

- Fitzpatrick transformed his personal project into a website that others could use by opening up the code and infrastructure for public access, effectively turning LiveJournal into one of the first large-scale social blogging platforms.

**What Made LiveJournal Different:**
- LiveJournal’s distinctive feature was its social elements: users could "friend" other journals, manage privacy settings for their entries, and form "communities" where people with similar interests could post and interact.

- These friend and privacy controls allowed for nuanced sharing—posts could be public, friends-only, or visible to custom groups, which made it feel both intimate and community-driven, unlike the more open or impersonal styles of Blogger or later platforms.

Title:

Content: Regulators Seem to Think That Facebook Is the Internet

That’s a problem.

In 1997, SixDegrees.com was the first real attempt at social networking, creating a space where users could upload their information and list their friends. The site peaked at approximately 3.5 million users before it shut down in 1999.

Since then, a series of social networking business models have emerged, each time offering more advanced tools for user interaction. LiveJournal, a site for keeping up with school friends, combined blogging and social networking features inspired by the WELL; Friendster was a social network that allowed for increased interaction and control by users; Myspace had open membership and gave users the freedom to customize their pages. In 2005, it—and its 25 million user base—was sold to News Corp. But within three years, Myspace had been surpassed by Facebook, which launched in 2004 for college students and opened to everyone in 2006.

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As that history shows, in the early days of the internet, disruption was profound and constant: New companies emerged in music, video, e-commerce, publishing, and telephony on an almost yearly basis. The internet appeared to be a space where competition could thrive.

Not anymore.

Today, disruption happens in much smaller ways. The examples are getting fewer because economies of scale have concentrated innovation in the hands of a few players.

More often, disruption comes from regulation—for better or, often, for worse. Current regulation attempts focus on the actions and behavior of some actors—chiefly Facebook—while creating unintended consequences for the internet, particularly fragmentation, or the splintering of the global internet into one that more closely hews territorial borders.

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It’s understandable that both the public and regulators might think that regulating “the internet” means focusing on the biggest players. Much of it has to do with the fact that users are often exposed to various types of illegal behavior and content through some of the most popular services that exist on the internet. Fix misinformation, or extremism, or ideological silos, or security on Facebook, the thinking goes, and you’ve fixed it on the internet as a whole.

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But this is an unhelpful and misguided narrative. First, the internet is not a monolith, so treating it as if it is simply will not work. Second, many of the issues regulators are trying to address are not internet problems; they are societal. Terrorism, child abuse, and mis- and disinformation are not an offspring of the internet; they existed before the internet, and they will continue to exist after it as they are ingrained in human societies. Yet, they are treated as if they are exclusively internet problems. Third, and most importantly, regulators should stop thinking of the internet as Facebook and treating it as such. In the internet regulatory landscape, there is a mixed bag of different issues, and Facebook’s involvement in all of them, direct or indirect, adds to the current complexity. Content moderation, privacy, intermediary liability, competition, encryption—these are all broader issues related to the internet, not just Facebook. Yet, the pattern that has emerged is to treat them as Facebook issues. What this means is that, instead of focusing on trying to address them in ways appropriate for the entire internet ecosystem, they are addressed through the Facebook lens. This has been quite accurately characterized as the “Facebook Derangement Syndrome.”

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The global regulatory agenda is replete with such examples. In the United Kingdom, the Online Safety legislation wants to ban end-to-end encryption because of Facebook’s plan to introduce it as a default setting in its Messenger service. On the other side of the Commonwealth, Australia recently introduced a media bargaining code mainly targeting Facebook. Facebook famously “left” the country before renegotiating a new agreement. Similarly, in what seems to be a coordinated effort, Canada has vowed to work with Australia in an attempt to impose regulatory restrictions on Facebook.

And this trend is not limited to the Commonwealth.

India’s new intermediary guidelines aim at tightening a regulatory grip on Facebook and its partner company WhatsApp while Brazil’s fake news bill, which got approved by the Senate, is focusing on content moderation on Facebook and traceability on WhatsApp. In France, there have been conversations about the introduction of “new rules” for Facebook, while Germany’s Network Enforcement Law—NetzDG—was drafted with the primary focus of taming Facebook. Finally, in the United States, the Trump administration issued an unsuccessful executive order that aimed to regulate Facebook for bias.

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This approach of limiting regulation to Facebook is not entirely unusual. It reflects the principal-agent conundrum that, over the years, has allowed companies like Facebook to  propose policies and deploy tools that can have an impact on the way regulation gets to be enforced. The principal-agent problem is predominantly characterized by conflict of interest and moral hazards. Due to information asymmetries, the agent holds the bargaining power, and this creates a few unknowns: The principal is in no position to know the information the agent holds. Even when she does, she cannot be certain that the agent is acting to her best interest. So, the principal ends up focusing squarely on the agent, disregarding any peripheral issues that might be significant.

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The principal-agent problem may help explain why governments appear ready to introduce regulation targeting Facebook; however, it does not help explain why, in the process of doing so, the main loser is the internet and its users.

Over the past couple of years, Facebook has said, “We support regulation,” and “we want updated internet regulations to set clear guidelines for addressing today’s toughest challenges.” This statement would be significant if it did not come across as self-serving. At this stage, regulation is inescapable and Facebook knows it—as does the rest of big tech. In an effort to adapt to this new reality, companies often take advantage of their dominant position to drive regulatory processes, often at the expense of regulation itself.

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In this context, the question we should be asking is not whether regulation is appropriate, but what are the real implications of regulating in such a manner? There is already an argument that focusing on a few, big players has an impact on the health of innovation and the ability of newcomers to compete. And, then, there is the internet. The internet’s global reach is one of its main strengths. It is a feature, not a bug. Among other things, it allows the maintenance of supply chains all over the world; it allows people to communicate; it lowers costs; and it makes information sharing easier, all the while helping to address societal issues like poverty or climate change.

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To this end, the attempt to regulate based on one—or a handful—of companies can jeopardize this very important goal of the internet. It can create fragmentation, in the sense of not allowing data to flow across borders or networks to interconnect, and this can be very real and have a very big impact. It can impose limits on the way information and data gets to be shared and the way networks may interoperate. These are significant trade-offs, and they must be part of any regulation’s process.

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So where do we go from here?

For sure, the answer cannot be to stop regulating. We must accept, however, that the current approach often generates unintended consequences that only superficially affect those who must be regulated.

In this light, a possible way forward is to experiment with regulation. Experimental regulation is a relatively underused approach, yet it is flexible enough to accommodate dynamic markets, like the internet. Originally associated with the work of John Dewey, this idea is premised on the fact that, in policymaking, the way we approach theories and strategies of justice depends on “the experience of their pursuit; it is these changes that then allow us to consider how best to achieve our objectives.” The advantage of this thinking is that it considers unintended consequences as an opportunity to better define appropriate regulatory frameworks and how to achieve the desired goals.

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Internet regulation does not experiment enough, and when it does, it appears to have the wrong focus. In Australia, for instance, the effort to ensure robust journalism in an age of disinformation in social media platforms led to a “link tax” that undermines the architecture, history, and economics of the internet. This is partly due to the role big tech companies play in the regulatory process. One of the immediate things one can observe with internet regulation is the process some actors deploy: In the beginning, they operate in favor of sustaining existing policies and bureaucracies. The thinking is that longevity brings legitimacy, and as a result, the policy becomes its own cause. Once this strategy is embedded in process, these powerful forces move toward pushing their own regulatory agenda.

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It is for this reason that there is a certain appeal toward flexible regulatory systems that allow different units to experiment with different approaches and make room for assessments that separate the relevant from the nonrelevant and preexisting rules. Although experimentation neither offers a drastic approach nor aims to replace traditional routes of regulation, it can limit the risks of politicization, as politics become more context focused.

One of the first things we need is an internet impact assessment that looks at the different parts of the internet’s infrastructure and the effect that regulation may have. It is no longer just about regulating a few actors. It is about protecting the global infrastructure that we all depend on daily.

The internet has a Facebook problem, but the internet is not Facebook.

This article represents the views of the author and not those of his employer, the Internet Society. Facebook is an organization member of the Internet Society.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.

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- The emphasis on interaction—such as commenting on posts directly or joining themed communities—fostered a tight-knit, supportive user base and gave it a different feel from more one-way platforms.

**LiveJournal’s Peak and Decline:**
- LiveJournal was highly popular in the early 2000s, reaching a peak in early 2005 with more than 2.5 million active accounts.

- Over time, most English-speaking users migrated to newer platforms like Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter, as LiveJournal was seen as less modern, more difficult to monetize, and not as visually engaging.

Title:

Content: Filed under:

Belle is the virtual world anime that Mamoru Hosoda always wanted to make

Not only because he put subwoofers on a giant whale

Belle is the anime that Mamoru Hosoda has always wanted to make. The latest film from the director of Summer Wars, Wolf Children, and Mirai centers on the story of Suzu, a shy high school student who rediscovers her love for singing when she enters the immersive online world of “U.” Shedding her quiet and reserved self, Suzu adopts the identity of Belle, a gorgeous singer with a beautiful voice beloved by all those around her. When one of Belle’s concerts is interrupted by a mysterious entity known as the “Dragon” who terrorizes the denizens of U, she embarks on a journey to forge a bond with the beast unlike any she has known before.

Hosoda’s fascination with the transformative and reflective potential of virtual worlds goes as far back as his work on 2000’s Digimon: Our War Game (later re-edited into Digimon: The Movie in the West). Belle’s world of U feels like both a continuation and an evolution of the ideas glimpsed in Digimon’s digital superhighway, as well as Summer Wars’ OZ.

Polygon spoke with Hosoda over Zoom about the origins of U, his work with Cartoon Saloon’s Tomm Moore and Frozen character designer Jin Kim on Belle, and the surprising link between Final Fantasy and the giant subwoofer-encrusted whale seen in the film’s opening.

Fictional online worlds are a recurring staple of your films — what is about the Internet that continues to inspire you as a filmmaker?

To your point, I’ve been making movies that kind of deal with the theme of the Internet for the past 20 years, all the way up to today. During this time, I feel there’s been a massive change or a shift in how the Internet is being used and how it is being perceived.

Back when I was making Digimon, I think that the Internet was a much more young space. it was this emerging technology that people were going to be able to use and the younger generations were going to take advantage of to smash a lot of the establishments of the old world and develop something completely new and their own. It was like this new toy that children were playing with that had all kinds of different possibilities. But fast forward to today, I think the Internet has emerged as much more of as a reflection of our own reality now that we have all generations using it and how it’s become such a necessity in our daily lives.

The Internet is no longer what it was 20 years ago, in many ways. We have a lot of our own issues that we have in our present, real society that have been transferred into the Internet, like the toxicity and fake news and a lot of these kind of negative aspects. I feel because of that, a lot of other films or works try to project the Internet in a much more negative light. But for me, I want to help the younger generations come face to face with all these issues that we know exist in the Internet and overcome them, to somehow still turn it into a much more positive space where they can do a lot of things.

What was it like working with architect Eric Wong on creating Belle’s online world of U? How did you first discover his work, and what were some of the inspirations you looked to in crafting the look and feel of its universe?

When we were designing the world of U, we knew we needed someone who was really special and had amazing talent. Similar to how Belle is actually this unknown girl living in the suburban countryside of Japan, we wanted to take a similar approach by searching on the Internet for someone who could possibly handle the task of creating U. We found Eric’s portfolio and at the time, we had no idea who he was, how old he was, where he was located, or what kind of background he had. It was only after reaching out and talking with him we discovered he was a very young architect, I think about 27 years old, living in London who had absolutely no moviemaking experience whatsoever. We were able to overcome that because of his amazing talents and the fact that he put himself out there on the Internet to be discovered. It shares a lot of parallels with the story of Belle in that way.

You collaborated with animator Jin Kim (Frozen, Tangled, Big Hero 6) and Cartoon Saloon’s Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart on the character design of Belle and background art of the film, respectively. What motivated your desire to seek out these collaborators?

The world of U in Belle is very massive on a global space. When Jin Kim and I were initially talking about the character design of Belle, we wanted to make sure that international background was reflected in all the designs that we came up with. I think there’s not too many interactions between US-based animation studios and animation production culture and Japan or other overseas-based animation studios, so I wanted to help change that in some ways because entertainment is shifting to this much more global medium of ideas.

When Jin and I decided to work together to find out what such a collaboration would look like and what kind of design or direction that would result in, it was a really great experience. I had a similar conversation with Tomm Moore at Cartoon Saloon where we felt the animation space was dominated by these major studios and the smaller independent studios like Studio Chizu and Cartoon Saloon really didn’t have as large of a global stage. I think we were all kind of pointed in the same direction when we decided to collaborate.

One of the stand-out designs of Belle is a giant whale with subwoofer speakers on its back that Belle rides in the film’s opening. How did the design for that creature come about?

The designs and the idea that I had specifically for the whale was that it wasn’t so much a whale equipped with speakers, as much as it was the whale’s costume in many ways. The “whale” is kind of wearing this wardrobe with this costume and coming out into this virtual space. I actually had several designers come up with ideas, and this was true for some of the other character designs as well; we had several designs from which we picked the one that I felt best represented the idea of what we were trying to convey.

Ultimately we settled on a design by Isamu Kamikokuryo, who previously worked as an art director on the Final Fantasy series. We originally had him do a design for the Dragon’s castle, but given his background I said, “Hey, why don’t you take a crack at designing this whale,” and in an instant I knew this was the basis for the whale we wanted to go with. He really captured what I was looking for.

Music plays a significant role in the movie, not just in the personal story of Suzu (aka Belle), but in exploring the themes of loneliness and connection in a digital world. What was it like working on the music for Belle? Do you have a favorite song?

Music is certainly the a centerpiece of this movie in many ways. Part of that is because we didn’t want to tell the classic story of a girl from the suburban countryside who rises to pop stardom, but more a story about a soul that was somehow suppressed seeking freedom and and attaining that strength through this journey. That’s why we didn’t want to go after the very popular sounding songs or look towards the top US Billboard. We wanted to really go for something much, much deeper where it is about her heart, or her soul, seeking this freedom from some form of suppression, which is meant to encourage a lot of people going through through similar phases.

We had four different composers for this particular movie, three of them Japanese and one from from Sweden. And each song with lyrics was was done by a different composer, with the exception of the dancing scene between Belle and the Dragon and the ending where Belle sings in front of everyone, which were both done by Taisei Iwasaki. I think he did an amazing job of really capturing the themes of the movie. I really couldn’t decide a favorite from the soundtrack because I think every composer brought their best game to the table. But with more platforms like Spotify, I think music has been freed in many ways to a much more global and accessible platform, so I’m looking forward seeing to which songs resonate with audiences after they’ve seen the film.

Belle is out on select IMAX screens on Jan. 12. The film opens in theaters on Jan. 14.