Robotic pets are being designed to alleviate loneliness in older adults, with products like ElliQ using artificial intelligence to chat and exercise with users.

ElliQ reminds users to take medicine and drink water, and can make video calls to contact relatives or doctors, adapting to each user's personality and interests.

The robot provides city and museum tours on its screen, offers inspirational quotes and jokes, and guides users to exercise and asks about health.

ElliQ stores conversation data on the user's device privately and helps users make new friends and companions.

Over 31,500 robotic pets have been distributed to lonely individuals in New York since 2018, with 70% of recipients reporting reduced loneliness in a 2018 pilot study.

Robotic pets have been shown to decrease feelings of anxiety and loneliness, and improve quality of life for seniors with dementia.

These pets offer improved well-being and mood for seniors, and provide a sense of purpose for elderly caregivers.

Robotic pets like Joy for All companion pets provide comfort and reduce social isolation, with lifelike features such as heartbeats and responses to motion, voice, and touch.

Studies have shown that lifelike pets can bring down anxiety levels and aggression, with robots like ElliQ costing $249.99 for enrollment and $29.99 monthly subscription.

ElliQ has been used to improve health and combat social isolation, with older adults reporting an 80% decrease in loneliness.

The use of AI robots to reduce loneliness in older adults is becoming increasingly popular, with robots like Kiwi and Mango bringing joy to seniors in Canada.

China's elderly population is expected to exceed 400 million by 2040, leading to increased investment in robotics to care for the expanding elderly population.

AI robots can reduce workload in elderly care centers and improve cognitive function and companionship.

Robots like Dopo perform shows for elderly people in China, while Japan makes widespread use of robots in nursing homes.

There are about 100 robotics start-ups in China specializing in care robots, highlighting the growing importance of AI robots in elderly care.

New York State has allocated $1 million to support AI robot program expansion, aiming to improve elderly solitude and provide basic care needs.

The ElliQ robot has been shown to reduce loneliness by 95% and improve quality of life, with emergency services available through AI robots.

Public attitudes towards replacing real animals with robots are not fully explored, but scientists propose that robots may build relationships like dogs with owners, potentially creating friendships for elderly or lonely individuals.

Researchers are working on developing robot software that embeds dog-like behavior for health benefits, with the goal of creating companions for elderly or lonely people.

The use of AI robots as companions for elderly or lonely individuals raises ethical questions, but the potential benefits of improved health and reduced social isolation make them an important area of study.

Overall, artificially intelligent robotic pets have the potential to make a significant impact on the quality of life for elderly or lonely individuals, providing companionship and improving health outcomes.

Robotic pets are being designed to alleviate loneliness in older adults, with products like ElliQ using artificial intelligence to chat and exercise with users.

Title:

Content: My channel
* Drag categories can be customized sorting
Recover Default OK
Setup
Alert
How do you shrink the sweater? 4 steps to restore it
Japan earthquake may be in response to Hainan news anchor suspended investigation
Elderly alone robot ElliQ likes to chat, exercise, remind to take medicine
The Associated Press reported that Joyce Loaiza, a retired office worker in Florida, lives alone, but every time she returns to her apartment in the silver-haired community, a friendly female voice chats with her to say hello to her for a good day.
A few miles away, Deanna Dezern, 83, was comforted by the same voice when her friend died.
At her home in central New York, it plays games and music for Marie Broadbent, 92, who is blind and receiving hospice care.
In Washington, it helped 83-year-old Jan Worrell make new friends.
The women were among the first to try out ElliQ, the robot that invented the company Intuition Robotics and senior welfare officials say is the only device that uses artificial intelligence specifically designed to alleviate loneliness and alienation among many older Americans.
The 81-year-old said the robot was fun and could really talk to it; she nicknamed ElliQ “gummy ” and it would voice opinions, such as“ If I had a hand, I would go out, but I wouldn ’ t stand an umbrella. ”
The device looks like a small table lamp, and the eyes and mouthless head can glow and rotate.
It can remember each user ’ s interests and hobbies and conversations with each other, helping to customize future chat content, topics can be esoteric human business meaning, or easy horoscope.
ElliQ also jokes, plays music and offers inspirational quotes.
On the equipped screen, it provides city and museum tours. It can also guide users to exercise, ask about health, and remind them to take medicine and drink water.
In addition, ElliQ can make video calls to contact the user ’ s relatives, friends, or doctor in an emergency.
Intuition Robotics says none of these conversations will be heard, and the data is kept on each user ’ s device.
CEO Dor Skuler said the robot can adapt to each elderly person ’ s personality, interests, and fill in the gap in emotional support and companionship; this not only highlights the wide range of uses of ElliQ, it relates to friendship, companionship and empathy, “which is an innovation anywhere. ”
Retirement Museum of New York
The last one.
Let 50,000 people love cleaning glue to help you
The next one.
How long can the cream be kept indoors? The cream factory gives the answer
Extended reading
Super-popular
More >

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?

ElliQ reminds users to take medicine and drink water, and can make video calls to contact relatives or doctors, adapting to each user's personality and interests.

The robot provides city and museum tours on its screen, offers inspirational quotes and jokes, and guides users to exercise and asks about health.

How is Oppo marketing its Robotic dog Qric?

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

many features to enhance owner interaction

ElliQ stores conversation data on the user's device privately and helps users make new friends and companions.

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

Over 31,500 robotic pets have been distributed to lonely individuals in New York since 2018, with 70% of recipients reporting reduced loneliness in a 2018 pilot study.

Title:

Content: SHARE

Cure For Loneliness? Robotic Pets Going Out To Thousands Of Socially Isolated NYers

Call it four-legged companionship without the need for potty training.

Thousands of animatronic pets are on their way to older, socially isolated New Yorkers in an effort to combat what experts describe as a crisis of loneliness.

The state’s Office for the Aging (OFA) announced Sunday, June 3, that Rhode Island-based Ageless Innovation is delivering another 4,725 robotic pets and games to elderly adults through New York State’s aging network.

Since 2018, OFA has distributed more than 31,500 of the plush, lifelike pets, which are designed to make realistic sounds and movements, to those assessed as socially isolated and lonely.

A pilot study conducted in 2018 found that 70 percent of recipients reported a reduction or significant reduction in loneliness, plus a 75 percent decrease in pain.

The state’s intergenerational game project, Joy for All, includes Scrabble Bingo, Trivial Pursuit Generations, and Game of Life Generations. Through a partnership with Hasbro launched in 2023, the games have been tailored to an older crowd by featuring larger fonts and intergenerational gameplay and storylines.

“We’ve initiated multiple innovative solutions, bolstered by technology, to connect people, provide companionship, and significantly reduce isolation and its consequences,” said OFA Director Greg Olsen. “Proudly, I can say data shows our efforts are working and exceeding expectations. “

Studies have shown that social isolation and loneliness put older adults at an increased risk of a number of health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, depression, cognitive decline, and even death, according to the National Council on Aging.

Learn more about New York’s Animatronic Pet Initiative, including eligibility, on the Office for the Aging website

to follow Daily Voice Ramapo and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE

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

Robotic pets have been shown to decrease feelings of anxiety and loneliness, and improve quality of life for seniors with dementia.

Title:

Content: Learn more about subscriptions
Learn more about subscriptions
Advertisement
Advertisement

“She’s a good girl”: Robot pets help Lehigh Valley senior residents live longer, happier lives

Gathered in a semi-circle, a group of women in wheelchairs petted the newly adopted cats and dogs sitting on their laps Wednesday afternoon, talking softly to their new companions. The dogs barked and leaned in for pets, the cats meowed and rolled over for scratches — almost like they were real.

But the animals were robots, a fact that wasn’t lost on many of the women in the Fellowship Manor sitting room.

Advertisement

One resident at the Whitehall Township senior living community, Jackie, named her small golden retriever robot Goldie. Jackie said she grew up on a farm in Palmer Township with plenty of dogs but never one that looked like Goldie.

“She’s a good girl — she just sits there and doesn’t make a sound unless you talk to her,” Jackie said.

Advertisement
Advertisement

That was one of 20 pairings made at the adoption event at Fellowship Community where residents, primarily those with dementia, picked out one of 20 robotic pets — 10 dogs and 10 cats — to serve as their companions.

Animal therapy can be beneficial for seniors, especially those with dementia. Benefits for seniors include improved cardiovascular health, better quality of life and decreased feelings of anxiety, loneliness and depression.

However, it’s not reasonable or safe in most care settings to introduce real animals, according to Mary Kay McMahon, president and CEO of Fellowship Community.

“Because of their own care needs most of our residents couldn’t take care of animals and our staff don’t have the time to take care of them,” McMahon said.

But research has found that use of robotic pets still offers a number of benefits to seniors with dementia, including improved well-being, mood and quality of life. McMahon said there are also benefits for seniors who were caregivers for much of their lives.

The adoption event was a surprise for many residents. Jackie said she didn’t know they would be giving out robot pets until about 10 a.m. Wednesday when she was asked if she wanted one.

Another resident, Elaine, said she rolled into the room not knowing what was going on but asked if she could have a golden retriever robot, like Jackie’s. Elaine promptly named her new friend Dog, pronounced “D-O-G.”

“I always wanted to name a dog Dog,” Elaine said.

McMahon said they tried to match the animals with residents based on their preferences. Once they made a match, the robotic companions were theirs to keep.

McMahon said staff have seen how the robot pets can help. Just before the pandemic, Fellowship Community bought a handful of robotic pets for residents. She said the recipients all saw improvements in their mood, appetites and social interactions, and reduced anxiety and depression. The robot pets even reminded some of real dogs or cats they had owned, she said, which helps in the long term with their conditions.

“It gives them a sense of purpose,” McMahon said. “They feel like they are taking care of something.”

It helps that the robots are very lifelike — the imitation fur is soft and built-in sensors allow the companion pets to respond to a person’s presence and touch as well as react to the environment.

Each one costs a little more than $100, which were paid for via a Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors 100th Anniversary Community Charity Grant.

Though Jackie and Elaine both said they knew their dogs weren’t “real,” they both remarked how Goldie and Dog moved their head when petted and how soft they were.

“She’s going to be a good pet,” Jackie said.

Morning Call reporter Leif Greiss can be reached at 610-679-4028 or lgreiss@mcall.com.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

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 pets offer improved well-being and mood for seniors, and provide a sense of purpose for elderly caregivers.

Robotic pets like Joy for All companion pets provide comfort and reduce social isolation, with lifelike features such as heartbeats and responses to motion, voice, and touch.

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.

0
0
0
0
0

Recommended for you

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?

Studies have shown that lifelike pets can bring down anxiety levels and aggression, with robots like ElliQ costing $249.99 for enrollment and $29.99 monthly subscription.

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.

ElliQ has been used to improve health and combat social isolation, with older adults reporting an 80% decrease in loneliness.

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

The use of AI robots to reduce loneliness in older adults is becoming increasingly popular, with robots like Kiwi and Mango bringing joy to seniors in Canada.

Title:

Content: My channel
* Drag categories can be customized sorting
Recover Default OK
Setup
Alert
Chinese craze … Taiwan 's popular drink good market more than one bottle hard to find
Silicon Valley wife murder case leads to the topic of "verbal insult" and other early signs of domestic violence
Cover Story / Silver Hair Living Alone and Not Lonely "Robots" as Old Companion
When Microsoft founder Bill Gates published his outlook for 2024 earlier this year, he predicted that the application of artificial intelligence (AI) would accelerate in the future and fundamentally change areas such as work, health care and education.
For Joyce Loaiza, a retired office worker living in Florida, Gates ’ s prophecy is now a formality; the 81-year-old living alone, whenever she returns to her Silver Hair Community apartment, a friendly female voice will chat with her and say hello to her for a good day.
A few miles away, Deanna Dezern, 83, was comforted by the same voice when her friend died.
In central New York, it plays games and music for Marie Broadbent, 92, who is blind and receiving hospice care.
In Washington, it helped 83-year-old Jan Worrell make new friends.
USA ElliQ Customizable Chat Content
The women were among the first to receive a robot in the United States, according to officials from Intuition Robotics, the company that invented ElliQ, and the Aged Aid Program. They are the only device that uses artificial intelligence and is specifically designed to alleviate the loneliness and alienation of many elderly Americans.
It can remember each user ’ s interests and hobbies and conversations with each other, helping to customize future chat content, topics can be esoteric human business meaning, or easy horoscope.
ElliQ also jokes, plays music and offers inspirational quotes.
On the equipped screen, it provides city and museum tours. It can also guide users to exercise, ask about health, and remind them to take medicine and drink water.
In addition, ElliQ can make video calls to contact a user ’ s relatives, friends, or doctor in case of an emergency. These conversations are not heard by companies, Intuition Robotics says, and the data is kept on each user ’ s device.
Dor Skuler, co-founder and CEO of Intuition Robotics, was a little surprised that older people were so easily integrating robots into their lives; after all, it was a group of people who were often stereotyped as afraid to embrace new things, he said.
In an interview with the media at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in early January, Skuller said that just like developing an intimate relationship with a pet, older people are also working to forge new relationships with AI robots.
Through partnerships with government agencies and other organizations, hundreds of thousands of seniors across the United States already use ElliQ, Skuller noted.
The voice of ElliQ and its compassionate “personality ” were developed by a team of experts in artificial intelligence, behavioral psychology, and user-centered design, according to Skuller.
They defined ElliQ as “the little partner who makes older people happier and healthier. ”
Anita Montague, 76, said that before using ElliQ, the only thing she did back home was sit in front of the computer, but with ElliQ, she can do sports and other things, and now she is more energetic and motivated to find more work.
Monica Perez, 65, who has been using ElliQ for more than six months, said she finds it increasingly difficult to make friends as she gets older. She likes ElliQ to call her name affectionately and will ask how she is doing, like a real friend; with ElliQ, her mental health has improved greatly.
ElliQ would remind Perez to take the pill in the morning, “I ’ m much more active than I was without it. ”
In Canada, Carmichael, a resident of Vancouver ’ s Amica for the Elderly, attended a meeting last September with two robots named Kiwi and Mango.
Canada ’ s AI partners help increase interaction
These two AI “little buddies ” that can be held in your arms look brightly colored and are part of a study at the University of Columbia School of Nursing to understand how they interact with older adults and their impact on elder care.
Carmichael said her initial reaction was, “Oh my God, why would you want me to talk to a robot? ” But after overcoming the psychological barrier, Carmichael found that Mango might be able to stay with her for a long time, and she could play with it every day and no longer feel lonely.
Carmichael says with a smile that there is only one appearance that needs to be improved; she tells the staff to wear false eyelashes for Mango.
These robots were designed in Japan and have been studied in Asia for many years.
Lillian Hung, an assistant professor at the University of Columbia and Canada ’ s Research Chair in Senior Care, is leading a Canadian study into the use of robots in the care industry.
Hong said that the robots bring joy wherever they go, and every time they show up with the robots, the atmosphere in the room changes.
Robot friends make seniors happier
“Kiwifruit ” and“ mango ” can speak, recognize faces and sounds, express a desire to be picked up and give a hug.
They even charge themselves when they ’ re “tired, ” Ms. Hong says.
She said that so far, the response has been mixed, with some elderly people immediately feeling good about robots, while others are confused. Hong Lilian said that humans are social animals and have basic needs to love and be loved, which she believes is the meaning of companion robots and helps build stronger social connections.
Many studies have pointed out that maintaining relationships and social activities are important for the physical and mental health of older people; social loneliness is associated with an increase in emotional distress, depression, falls, the need for health care services, and even premature death.
Lise Brayham, who has lived in Amica for four years, said the robots are a good thing for older people who don ’ t leave their rooms often because “mangoes ” and“ kiwifruit ” don ’ t require walking, cleaning or feeding.
Brehan said it was hard to understand how robots interact with humans at first, but in the end she concluded that it was like having a great little pet, “They ’ re fun partners! ”
Charlotte England, 102, came into contact with the robots with Brehan and made them good friends.
Ingram immediately began talking to the robot and recalled swimming in the Ottawa River and skating in the Rideau Canal.
She then boasted about her baking skills to “mangoes ” and“ kiwifruit ”.
After the robot responds with a gentle cooing, Ingram continues to talk to them about the snack.
However, after a “long ” conversation, Ingram noticed that the kiwifruit ’ s eyes were a little low, and she said to it with some displeasure,“ Am I boring you? ”
Investing in health care to fill the manpower gap
In addition to the United States and Canada, many countries in Asia are also facing the problem of aging populations, and China is one of them, with a rapidly aging population and a serious shortage of medical and nursing manpower, and the hope is that this robot army can fill this gap.
According to Sixth Tone, an English-language online magazine owned by Surging News, staff member Gao Hongjun is busy preparing for the day ’ s entertainment at an elderly care center in central Shanghai: a singing robot named “Dopo. ”
This squatting white robot often performs shows for the elderly people staying in, usually singing the revolutionary songs of Mao Zedong ’ s era.
The old people loved it, Gao said, which also gave them a chance to breathe.
He said that as the number of elderly people living in the home has increased, but the care resources have not been relatively improved, AI robots are able to reduce their workload.
Gao Xiaodong, director of the center, charged the "Dobao" while saying that if the staff were tired, they could not take good care of the elderly.
Gao Xiaodong said that in recent years, he and his colleagues have been under great pressure, and in the community where the care center is located, more than 40% of the elderly population over 60 years old, and the average occupant is over 70 years old, and most of the people are suffering from dementia.
In response to this situation, the center has installed artificial intelligence equipment as much as possible, in addition to "Dobao", they have also purchased intelligent mattresses and computer games that can monitor the vital signs of the elderly while they sleep, and two robots that can perform disinfection will soon be activated.
China ’ s elderly population to exceed 400 million by 2040
China is investing heavily in robotics research and development to care for an expanding elderly population and solve the shortage of healthcare workers.
China ’ s elderly population aged 60 and over is forecast to increase from 280 million in 2022 to 402 million in 2040.
China ’ s social and medical system is already severely overburdened, and if urgent measures are not taken, the situation may worsen further.
According to the Chinese government, there should be one nursing staff for every four residents in the elderly care institutions, but only 320,000 nursing staff serve 8.1 million residents in China, a gap of more than 1.7 million. The government hopes that the development of AI technology can provide a solution. Accelerate the development of the industry.
Chinese tech giants rush AI care
Several Chinese tech giants are also sniffing this opportunity, and iFlytek, a large AI company, announced its “Superbrain 2030 ” plan in 2022, which will develop a new type of nursing robot for the elderly.
The plan points out that it is necessary for AI to understand knowledge, learn well, and evolve, so that robots can enter every family and solve problems such as elderly care, emotional companionship, and health management. Search engine leader Baidu is also promoting “Xiaodu ” AI intelligent assistant, which can be used to schedule medical appointments, obtain weather forecasts and play games.
At present, the most widely used smart care technology in China is wearable devices such as smart bracelets and watches, which provide many practical functions, such as monitoring the vital signs of the elderly, reminding them to take drugs on time, tracking their location, etc., but the industry believes that robots are the future of nursing care.
Many hope that China will follow Japan ’ s lead in making widespread use of robots in nursing homes, from the cute bear robot Robear, which helps elderly people sit up from their beds, to the furry pet robot Paro, which provides companionship and improves cognitive function.
There are now about 100 robotics start-ups in China that specialize in rehabilitation, companionship and care robots.
However, in the high price of robots, most companies have not yet achieved mass production, and local governments have not invested enough funds to promote robots in nursing homes on a large scale.
A food-delivery robot developed by Hangzhou Lewan Science and Technology in Zhejiang Province can deliver more than 20 meals to different rooms in a building, but few nursing homes can afford the product, which costs between 60,000 and 80,000 yuan (about $8,400 to $11,200).
Jiang Gancheng, CEO of Lewan, pointed out that if the price is 10,000 yuan, the expectation of buying gas will increase a lot, but if there are no more orders, the price can not be reduced, which is a problem of raw eggs and eggs.
However, there are also some robot companies that pull out of the red.
As soon as Zuowei Tech, a startup based in Shenzhen, launched its smart bath equipment, the market response was very enthusiastic.
The company sold 40 million yuan of equipment in 2022, and hopes to reach the 100 million yuan target this year.
Tu Chaorong, Vice President of Chowei Technology, said the demand for bathing equipment is strong because of the need of caregivers and the elderly they care for.
He said that many people believe that urinating on the elderly is the least dignified job, but caregivers will feel more dignified if they use high-tech equipment; similarly, many people in bed will feel less dignified if they do not have these equipment.
Accompanying robot behind the bullish trend
CEO Gu Jie of Shanghai Fourier Intelligence, a robotics company specializing in rehabilitation equipment, has noticed a similar trend, working with hospitals in big cities in China, but now there is increasing demand for nursing homes.
Gu Jie said that no matter where the elderly live, they hope that their bodies can be flexible and their mental state can be improved; and a robot can be used by many people, which greatly improves efficiency.
Chiang Gan-cheng is optimistic about the company-type robot, and believes that the development potential is unlimited.
The company recently launched a new product, priced at 10,000 yuan, can be placed at home to patrol, sing, play movies, and also provide video calls between the elderly and their children. Jiang Gancheng said that elderly people in good health often do not want to install a camera at home, thinking that it violates their privacy, but if an AI robot is accompanied by their family, they will not feel so lonely.
Zheng Yongping, a 68-year-old resident of Shanghai, agrees. Since his only child lives abroad, he has been living alone in his downtown home with his dog since retirement.
He already has a smart watch to monitor his health and uses smart speakers to manage the big things in life, but his dream is to one day have a robot of his own.
Zheng Yongping said he could not imagine what better choice than an AI robot when old and frail and in need of help; although it lacks human warmth, this is a trend in an aging society.
AI AI Aged Care Home
The last one.
Cover Story / Care manpower shortage robot is not the only solution
Extended reading
Super-popular
More >

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?

China's elderly population is expected to exceed 400 million by 2040, leading to increased investment in robotics to care for the expanding elderly population.

AI robots can reduce workload in elderly care centers and improve cognitive function and companionship.

How have robotic cats been assiting patients in hospitals?

Relieving staff to focus on medical duties

Robots like Dopo perform shows for elderly people in China, while Japan makes widespread use of robots in nursing homes.

There are about 100 robotics start-ups in China specializing in care robots, highlighting the growing importance of AI robots in elderly care.

New York State has allocated $1 million to support AI robot program expansion, aiming to improve elderly solitude and provide basic care needs.

Title:

Content: My channel
* Drag categories can be customized sorting
Recover Default OK
Setup
Alert
Thelys is singing her boyfriend's "Slick Your Phone" hit.
The richest man in Asia has a $60 million necklace for his wife.
New York State Expands Use of AI Robots to Improve Elderly Solitude
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the problem of elderly isolation has attracted attention. As artificial intelligence (AI) has become more and more advanced, it has become a new trend to introduce technology to solve the problem of elderly living alone. It is expected that the Chinese language will be added in the future.
Previously, the New York State Office for the Aging and communications companies, and Intuition Robotics, a software company focused on the elderly population through artificial intelligence, launched a small-scale pilot project in New York to bring AI robots to elderly families, with a view to exploring whether AI can meet the basic care needs of elderly people in the future, thereby promoting their more active integration into society and reducing loneliness.
ElliQ, a robot from Intuition Robotics participating in the pilot project, and Nugu, a robot from SK Telecom, are equipped with innovative software and voice recognition technology to provide customized services for the elderly. As an intelligent care partner for the elderly, ElliQ can actively interact with users and recommend health and social activities, while providing them with support such as drug management and health reminders.
In addition, police and first aid services are available, and you can call an emergency number for help at any time.
As New York ’ s elderly population continues to grow, combating the widespread isolation and loneliness among older adults has become a top policy goal for the state ’ s aging office; according to the AARP ’ s NY Public Policy Institute report, isolation directly affects individual health and generates $6.7 billion in additional health insurance-related spending annually.
According to the State Office of Aging, the introduction of ElliQ into the homes of elderly people significantly improved the quality of life in old age, users reduced loneliness by 95%, and participation and happiness increased significantly.
Kim said the results of the pilot program proved that the method was feasible and could be expanded, and that "isolation and loneliness are serious problems among the elderly in New York, and as elected officials, we should do everything we can to take care of this large community," he said at the meeting, has been allocated $1 million to support the expansion of the program.
The Association of Asian American Physicians (CAIPA) said that the medical needs of the elderly are different from those of the general public, and that they face social isolation or inadequate care and need to be addressed through specialized means, and look forward to further solving the problem through the expansion of the program.
Peter Du, chief adviser of the Flushing Chinese Association for the Advancement of Business (FCBA), said that the large number of Asian elderly people in New York, in addition to the introduction of artificial intelligence, also need to teach the community how to effectively use it.
According to Intuition Robotics, the device currently supports only English and Korean, and the company plans to expand the language to include Chinese and Spanish in the next two months.
RISE Now Inc. Chairman Qu Yuanyi, Chairman of RISE Now Inc., and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce attended the meeting.
AI New York State
The last one.
Elderly centres provide resources to organize activities to provide a safe haven for the lonely elderly
The next one.
Recycling prices for waste bottles increased by state lawmakers
Extended reading
Super-popular
More >

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

The ElliQ robot has been shown to reduce loneliness by 95% and improve quality of life, with emergency services available through AI robots.

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

Public attitudes towards replacing real animals with robots are not fully explored, but scientists propose that robots may build relationships like dogs with owners, potentially creating friendships for elderly or lonely individuals.

Title:

Content: Robots in the future will serve as a dog for the elderly or lonely people – scientists
Robots that in the future will support the elderly or lonely, should build relationships with the owner not as people, but as dogs.
In the future, this concept will be applied by developers.
Scientists from the University of Glasgow have made relevant conclusions based on new research.
This is reported on September 29 in the magazine PLOS ONE.
Scottish researchers surveyed more than 150 dog breeders and found that there are seven of the most commonly cited factors most closely related to animals.
These include the ability to communicate, the predictability of reactions, the physical signs of attachment, a positive, sometimes even enthusiastic approach, a propensity for joint activities, a sense of intimacy and, finally, the ability to adapt to each other.
Perhaps robots that behave this way will be approved.
The researchers suggest that embedding this type of behavior into robot software will allow them to provide their owners with the same experience and health benefits as friendship with a real animal, without the attendant responsibilities.
This will allow the technique to be used effectively.
"Our approach has allowed us to gain knowledge about the factors that make people so enjoy the company of dogs.
Although it will not be easy to recreate such behavior in robots, it can help in creating friendships for wards, ” the authors said.
In the next phase of the study, a team led by Katie Riddock intends to conduct tests involving humans and robots behaving like dogs.
An additional topic of study may also be the dependence of preferences of different types of dog behavior depending on the age, origin and environment of specific people.
Earlier, Cursor reported that engineers have created a robot that searches for lost things.
The system uses visual information from video cameras, as well as radio private signals, so it is highly efficient.
Read the latest news from Israel and the world on the Kursor channel in Telegram.
Author of the material:
TAGS:

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

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

many features to enhance owner interaction

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?

Researchers are working on developing robot software that embeds dog-like behavior for health benefits, with the goal of creating companions for elderly or lonely people.

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

Scottish researchers believe what will provide benefits to owners of robotic dogs without accompanying responsibilities?

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

The use of AI robots as companions for elderly or lonely individuals raises ethical questions, but the potential benefits of improved health and reduced social isolation make them an important area of study.

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.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.

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?

Overall, artificially intelligent robotic pets have the potential to make a significant impact on the quality of life for elderly or lonely individuals, providing companionship and improving health outcomes.

Title:

Content: My channel
* Drag categories can be customized sorting
Recover Default OK
Setup
Alert
New York State Comptroller: Brooklyn has $874 million in unfunded funds
800 Elderly Receive Robot Companion Interaction to Relieve Loneliness
New York state officials will distribute robots to hundreds of elderly residents to remind them to take medication, help contact relatives, book a taxi, Uber, and even joke around.
The Office for the Aging in New York State (NYSOFA) will send these robots to the homes of 800 elderly people to solve the growing problem of loneliness among the elderly.
Greg Olsen, director of NYSOFA, said the robots are ElliQ, made by Israeli tech firm Intuition Robotics, and are reportedly more proactive than Apple ’ s Siri and Amazon ’ s Alexa.
Olson says ElliQ is proactive, remembers interactions with owners and focuses on health and wellness, stress reduction, sleep, hydration, and more.
ElliQ consists of two parts.
One part is like a face, shaped like a light, equipped with a microphone and speaker that lights up and rotates to interact with people, and the other part is a touch tablet that can make video calls and display pictures and messages.
The ElliQ robot is subscribed for $30 to $40 per month and initially has to pay a registration fee of $250.
Vox, a news review website, said robots had been used to accompany elderly people long before the outbreak, especially in aging countries such as Japan, Denmark and Italy, and state governments in New York, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Florida and other jurisdictions have tried similar programs, such as providing robotic pets to residents of nursing homes and retirement communities.
Just a month before the global outbreak, the National Academies reported that one in three adults over the age of 45 in the United States felt lonely, and the proportion of young people was unexpectedly high.
Epidemic New York Italy
The last one.
CSP appoints 3 executives to strengthen service to the community
The next one.
Apex for Youth Tutor Helps Asian Students Benefit
Super-popular
More >

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

How is Oppo marketing its Robotic dog Qric?

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


LiveJournal combined blogging and social networking features, making it unique.

The platform was inspired by the WELL and initially used to keep up with school friends.

LiveJournal allowed users to publish, comment, and follow others through a "friends feed".

The platform had "communities" for collective blogs based on shared interests.

LiveJournal was popular before Facebook, serving as a site to keep up with school friends.

Alternative social media platforms like Myspace and Facebook contributed to LiveJournal's decline.

Myspace surpassed LiveJournal in popularity due to its open membership and customization options.

Facebook launched in 2004 and opened to all in 2006, contributing to LiveJournal's decline.

LiveJournal's failure to adapt and innovate led to its decline in popularity.

Intense competition from rival platforms like Friendster affected LiveJournal's popularity.

The platform's lack of innovation and unaddressed issues led to its demise.

The decline of social media platforms, including LiveJournal, was due to failure to adapt, intense competition, privacy concerns, and emerging alternatives.

The rise of Facebook and Twitter led to the decline of other platforms like LiveJournal.

LiveJournal was blocked in Kazakhstan after removing terrorism propaganda materials.

The platform removes illegal materials and plans to open a Kazakhstan office.

Intense competition and poor content monetization have contributed to the decline of social media platforms.

The emergence of alternative social media platforms has led to the decline of existing ones, like LiveJournal, due to their inability to adapt to changing user preferences.

LiveJournal combined blogging and social networking features, making it unique.

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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.”

Advertisement
Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement
Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement
Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

The platform was inspired by the WELL and initially used to keep up with school friends.

LiveJournal allowed users to publish, comment, and follow others through a "friends feed".

Title:

Content: LiveJournal is back in Kazakhstan
519
Anna VLADIMIROVA
Access to the "Live Journal" was restored after the administration of the LiveJournal blog platform executed the decisions of the judicial authorities of Kazakhstan on the removal of illegal materials posted on the resource.
Representatives of LiveJournal reported on the removal from the blogging platform of materials containing signs of propaganda of terrorism and religious extremism, public calls to commit acts of terrorism and the manufacture of explosive devices.
Earlier, the Saryarka court of Astana issued a decision to close access to the “Live Journal ” from August 20, 2011 due to the distribution of these materials.
As a result, the Committee of Communications, Informatization and Information of the Ministry of Investment and Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan decided to resume access to the resource on the territory of Kazakhstan from November 11 this year.
LiveJournal also plans to open a representative office in Kazakhstan and develop the Kazakhstan segment of the blogging platform.
For reference: “Live Journal ” is a blogging platform for keeping online diaries (blogs).
Provides the ability to publish your own and comment on other people ’ s records, conduct collective blogs (“communities ”), add other users to friends and follow their records in the“ friends feed ”.
Popular
All
More than 2,000 killed in Morocco earthquake
Kazakhstan - Northern Ireland: live broadcast of the match can be viewed at EXPO
Unfavorable weather conditions are expected in two cities of Kazakhstan
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated Kazakhstanis on Family Day
Morocco declares three days of mourning for earthquake victims
Kazakhstan chess players made their way to the semifinals of the World Cup 2023
A powerful causative agent of tumor growth was vitamin C
The Ministry of Emergency Situations told the details of the fire in the bath complex in Almaty
In the south-east of Turkey fell meteorite
Cristiano Ronaldo's New World Record
Kazakhstan became the champion of tennis tournament in Prague
Shootout in a cafe in Almaty: the state of the victims told in the city health
Two visitors of the cafe were injured in a shootout in Almaty
Three people were burned in a fire in Astana
It was a drought, and now it rains.
A benevolent atom
A number of tasks were set for the new akim of Aktobe region
The archive that filmmakers have been waiting for
Heavy rains flooded Las Vegas
Tokayev appointed the head of the new Ministry of Industry and Construction
Shandong is the third trade regional partner of Kazakhstan in China
Creativity is now at a price.
Impostor Trash
Tens of thousands of people are stuck at the festival in the United States because of the rains
Typhoon Haikui is approaching Taiwan
Businessmen want to pay for water as pensioners
Fair within Days of Culture of Tajikistan in Kazakhstan to be held in Astana
Minister of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan spoke about wearing the hijab in schools
Kazakhstanis will be able to transfer license plates to the new owner online
Muza Kayuma Mukhamedkhanova
"Golden mine" in the vicinity of Maralda
How to learn a language and make friends
Presidents Tokayev and Rahmon visited the Main Mosque of Astana
Dinmukhamed Kunaev: I believe in my people, their future is bright
Where to watch live the fight Kosobutsky - Adjagba
A foreigner who was on the run for 15 years was detained in Astana
The fire at the mine "Kazakhstan": what kind of help will the affected miners receive
Rescuers found a tourist missing in the mountains of Kok-Zhailau
Behind the wheel of a service car and without a license removed a relative of a police chief in Shymkent
Residents of Semey demand to cancel the entrance fee to the cemetery
Tajik citizens arrested in Almaty for robbery
In Semey, the memory of the victims of nuclear tests was honored
Dead girl found mushroom pickers in Kostanay region
Double murder in Arys: detained the alleged customer and executors
5-year-old niece beaten by girl in Astana – reaction of police and children ’ s ombudsman
A military driver saved a teenage girl from suicide in Astana
Read also
Pricing in life
I swear I will burn my tongue!
Another palace.
Icebreaker
Do not deprive the living space
Archive
• [[year]]
• [[month.label]]
• [[day]]

The platform had "communities" for collective blogs based on shared interests.

LiveJournal was popular before Facebook, serving as a site to keep up with school friends.

Alternative social media platforms like Myspace and Facebook contributed to LiveJournal's decline.

Myspace surpassed LiveJournal in popularity due to its open membership and customization options.

Facebook launched in 2004 and opened to all in 2006, contributing to LiveJournal's decline.

LiveJournal's failure to adapt and innovate led to its decline in popularity.

Title:

Content: 23 / 06 / 2023 - 13: 25
The rise and fall of social networking sites: major projects that have faded over the past years
In recent years, the Internet has seen the rapid rise and subsequent disappearance of social media platforms, which according to studies can be attributed to the failure to adapt to changing trends, privacy concerns, intense competition, and the emergence of more alternatives.
(Getty)
The rapid development of the digital age has brought many changes to the ways of communication over the past years, as the Internet world has witnessed the rise and fall of various communication sites, platforms that once flourished and flourished but eventually faded into oblivion.
In recent years, the Internet has seen the rapid rise and subsequent disappearance of social media platforms, which according to studies can be attributed to the failure to adapt to changing trends, privacy concerns, intense competition, and the emergence of more alternatives, which also indicate the rapid pace of technological progress and the need for continuous innovation.
MySpace has enjoyed unprecedented popularity during the mid-2000s, providing users with a platform to connect, share media and express themselves creatively, however, the decline of MySpace began when Facebook emerged as a dominant force in the social media landscape, studies show that MySpace failed to adapt to the changing preferences of their user base. This resulted in a loss of relevance and decreased user engagement.
Launched in 2004, Orkut was a pioneer in social networking, particularly in countries such as Brazil and India, and despite its early success, Orkut struggled to combat spam, privacy concerns and the rise of rival platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.
As studies indicate, the lack of innovation and failure to address these issues eventually led to their demise in 2014, which also happened with the site "First Messenger" which was once an integral part of the lives of many people on the Internet, allowing users to communicate in real time and facilitate conversations and enhance communication between users. Like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, they have wiped out the site ’ s last hope of survival, amidst this massive and rapid technological development.
In 2011, Google Plus was launched, which was aimed at competing with Facebook and creating a social network within Google ’ s ecosystem, and despite the company ’ s vast resources, it failed to attract a large user base, which led to the fall of the application in 2019, which led to the company ’ s closure of the project due to a decline in the number of users.
In another example, Vine had gained immense popularity with its unique six-second videos, which served as a breeding ground for budding creators and led to numerous viral trends, however, Vine ’ s downfall is attributed to its failure to monetize content effectively, and the emergence of rival and powerful platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat.
Delicious is a harsh example of the fall of a social media platform, where the site faced major challenges due to the lack of effective monetization strategies, and the emergence of new competitors on the platform, which led to a sharp decline in the user base, and ultimately sold and re-launched, under new ownership.

Intense competition from rival platforms like Friendster affected LiveJournal's popularity.

The platform's lack of innovation and unaddressed issues led to its demise.

The decline of social media platforms, including LiveJournal, was due to failure to adapt, intense competition, privacy concerns, and emerging alternatives.

The rise of Facebook and Twitter led to the decline of other platforms like LiveJournal.

LiveJournal was blocked in Kazakhstan after removing terrorism propaganda materials.

The platform removes illegal materials and plans to open a Kazakhstan office.

Intense competition and poor content monetization have contributed to the decline of social media platforms.

The emergence of alternative social media platforms has led to the decline of existing ones, like LiveJournal, due to their inability to adapt to changing user preferences.