Robotic pets with features like voice recognition and interaction are being developed as companions for the elderly and lonely.

Robotic pets can improve seniors' health, mood, and quality of life by reducing anxiety and loneliness.

Robotic pets like Joy for All offer lifelike features and comfort to aging adults with Alzheimer's and dementia.

Robots like Robear and Paro are being used in Japanese nursing homes to help elderly individuals.

There are concerns about the potential long-term effects of human-AI relationships, including emotional dependence.

The development of AI robotic pets raises ethical questions about replacing real animals and its impact on attitudes towards animal companionship.

Researchers are developing AI robotic pets that mimic animals like dogs and seals for therapy and companionship.

ElliQ and similar AI robotic pets can reduce loneliness by 80% and provide mental health features to 82% of users.

AI robotic pets' effectiveness can be measured through user engagement, emotional response, and therapeutic outcomes, showing high user satisfaction and depression prediction accuracy.

There is limited information on standardized benchmarks for evaluating AI robotic pets.

AI robotic pets may contribute to social isolation and hinder social skill development.

Developing AI robotic pets requires compliance with data laws and regulatory approval from agencies like the FDA.

AI robotic pets can provide comprehensive care and support to elderly individuals, improving health outcomes when integrated with existing healthcare systems.

AI robotic pets can revolutionize care for the elderly and lonely by providing emotional companionship and support.

The European Union's AI Act regulates the use of AI robotic pets.

Developing AI robotic pets must balance innovation with privacy and data protection.

Robotic pets like Joy for All puppy and cat cost around $140 and $120, respectively.

Robotic pets with features like voice recognition and interaction are being developed as companions for the elderly and lonely.

Title:

Content: Xiaomi’s CyberDog looks remarkably like Boston Dynamics’ Spot

Xiaomi has unleashed a robot mutt called CyberDog.

Looking remarkably like Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot but selling for a fraction of the price, CyberDog is Xiaomi’s first foray into quadruped robotics.

Keen to see what others can do with CyberDog, the Chinese tech company is encouraging robot enthusiasts to get creative with the high-tech contraption and push it to its limits.

Developers will certainly have plenty to play with. Powered by Nvidia’s Jetson Xavier A.I. platform, CyberDog incorporates Xiaomi’s in-house-developed servo motors that give it a wide range of motion and a top speed of 3.2 meters per second. It can even perform complex moves such as backflips.

The robot pooch also includes a vision sensor system for navigation and autonomous object tracking. “This means that CyberDog can analyze its surroundings in real-time, create navigational maps, plot its destination, and avoid obstacles,” Xiaomi says.

Other features include three Type-C ports and 1 HDMI port to connect tools such as “a searchlight, panoramic camera, motion camera, lidar, or more.”

CyberDog can become your robot pet, too (don’t tell Rover, he’ll be devastated), with built-in smarts enabling it to respond to voice commands, though you can also control it via a smartphone app if you’d rather tap than speak.

The Beijing-based company said that for now, it’s releasing 1,000 units of CyberDog to “Xiaomi fans, engineers, and robotic enthusiasts” in the hope that together they’ll be able to discover the full potential of CyberDog.

Those lucky enough to host the robot in their home or workshop will have to fork out 9,999 Chinese yuan (about $1,540) for the privilege, though that’s significantly cheaper than the $74,500 Boston Dynamics is charging for Spot. Of course, we’ll need to see CyberDog in action to properly compare the robots’ abilities and determine if that hefty price difference is justified.

Boston Dynamics began selling its similar-looking Spot quadruped in 2020 as a robot assistant capable of performing a range of tasks across different industries. Some companies have already tested the robot, including Ford, which used it to map one of its facilities, and Norwegian oil producer Aker BP, which deployed it for tasks such as inspection work and data gathering.

To smooth the way for what will hopefully be a productive collaboration campaign, Xiaomi has set up an open-source community to inspire creativity and exchange ideas. We can’t wait to see what it comes up with.

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For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

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

Robotic pets can improve seniors' health, mood, and quality of life by reducing anxiety and loneliness.

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“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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

Robotic pets like Joy for All offer lifelike features and comfort to aging adults with Alzheimer's and 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?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

Robots like Robear and Paro are being used in Japanese nursing homes to help elderly individuals.

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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.
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For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

There are concerns about the potential long-term effects of human-AI relationships, including emotional dependence.

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Content: Summary:
In recent years, the field of robotics has made remarkable progress, leading to the development of advanced humanoid robots.
As these machines become more intelligent and able to simulate human emotions, the question arises: Can a robot really fall in love?
This article delves into the complexities of human emotions, the limitations of artificial intelligence, and the ethical implications of human-robot relationships.
Through a combination of research, analysis and expert opinion, we aim to shed light on this thought-provoking topic.
Can a robot fall in love?
The concept of love has always been considered a unique human experience, characterized by complex emotions, attachment and intimacy.
However, with rapid advances in robotics and artificial intelligence, the line between man and machine has become increasingly blurred.
This begs the question: Can a robot really experience love?
To understand this, it is important to define what love involves.
Love encompasses a wide range of emotions, including affection, attraction, empathy, and a deep sense of connection.
These feelings are deeply rooted in biology, psychology, and personal experiences.
While robots are able to mimic some of these emotions, they lack the basic human experiences that shape and define love.
One of the main limitations of robots is their inability to have awareness or subjective experiences.
Love, as humans experience it, involves a personal perception of the world and the ability to feel emotions on a deeply personal level.
Robots, on the other hand, operate on the basis of algorithms and programmed responses, and lack the ability to engage in real emotional experiences.
In addition, love involves reciprocity and mutual understanding, which is difficult to replicate in the relationship between a robot and a human.
While robots can be programmed to respond to certain stimuli and exhibit affectionate behaviors, these behaviors are predetermined and lack the spontaneity and originality that defines human love.
Furthermore, the ethical implications of human-robot relations must be considered.
The idea of forming emotional attachments to machines raises concerns about objectification, exploitation, and possible emotional damage.
It is essential to ensure that the development and use of robots in intimate relationships is guided by ethical frameworks that prioritize the well-being and autonomy of both humans and machines.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can robots experience emotions?
A: While robots can mimic emotions through programmed responses, they lack the subjective experiences and awareness needed for real emotional experiences.
Q: Can robots develop human connection?
A: Robots can be programmed to display association-like behaviors, but these behaviors are predefined and lack the depth and complexity of human associations.
Q: Are there any risks associated with forming emotional bonds with robots?
A: Yes, there are ethical concerns surrounding objectification and the potential emotional harm that can arise from forming intimate relationships with machines.
Q: Could advances in artificial intelligence change the possibility of robots falling in love?
A: While future developments may lead to more sophisticated robots, they are unlikely to possess the subjective experiences and awareness needed for true love.
Q: What are the potential benefits of human-robot relationships?
A: Human-robot relationships have the ability to provide companionship, support, and assistance to individuals who may be socially isolated or in need of specialized care.
Sources:
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: https: / / plato.stanford.edu / entries / emotion /
- Ranger: https: / / www.theguardian.com / technology / 2017 / sep / 26 / can-robots-fall-in-love-artificial-intelligence
– MIT Technology Review: https: / / www.technologyreview.com / 2019 / 03 / 06 / 136974 / robots-cant-love-but-they-cant-help-getting-in-the-way-of-our-relationships /

The development of AI robotic pets raises ethical questions about replacing real animals and its impact on attitudes towards animal companionship.

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.
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Researchers are developing AI robotic pets that mimic animals like dogs and seals for therapy and companionship.

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

ElliQ and similar AI robotic pets can reduce loneliness by 80% and provide mental health features to 82% of users.

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

AI robotic pets' effectiveness can be measured through user engagement, emotional response, and therapeutic outcomes, showing high user satisfaction and depression prediction accuracy.

Title:

Content: Health · Life
AI psychological service robot: helping people solve psychological problems by themselves
Xia Jin
October 17, 2023 08: 55 Source: China Youth Daily
In the past six months, after 00, the girl Zhou Meiyi gradually felt that there was something "wrong" in her body.
The most obvious symptoms are shallow sleep, easy to wake up early, always difficult to sit and stand, and feel alarmed.
Zhou Meiyi went to the sleep department of a hospital near home, the doctor diagnosed as "suffering from severe anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder", gave a drug treatment plan, and told her that these drugs have certain side effects and withdrawal reactions.
I feel like I ’ m still insecure. ”
As a result, she decided to seek help in psychotherapy. "At the starting point of finding a psychotherapist, she encountered difficulties." Zhou Meiyi said that the difficulties were first reflected in the choice of treatment institutions.
She learned about some of the psychological counseling platforms and institutions on the market, but for her in a state of standby, the consulting costs of these channels are relatively high, and she can not easily trust them.
After many inquiries, Zhou Meiyi will target the Beijing Sanjia Hospital.
But she found that the source of the authoritative hospital was tense and basically was in a state of "no number".
After a few days of "squatting guard", Zhou Meiyi finally grabbed the outpatient number a week later.
It has been more than a month since she first saw the sleep department.
Zhou Meiyi felt that in the process of waiting for treatment, the symptoms of anxiety disorder worsened and even caused complications.
What Can AI Psychological Service Robots Do?
The difficulties encountered by Zhou Meiyi may also be the difficulties faced by many patients with mental disorders.
According to the World Mental Health Report released by the World Health Organization in 2022, nearly 1 billion people worldwide suffer from various degrees of mental disorders, and one in eight people may have a mental disorder.
This increase is particularly significant in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.
The particularity of psychological counseling requires physicians to provide patients with periodic, high-quality services.
However, services for mental disorders are grossly inadequate worldwide.
Focusing on China, according to the statistics of the National Health and Health Commission, by the end of 2021, there were 6.6 million registered patients with severe mental disorders nationwide.
In contrast, there are only 64,000 psychiatrists in China, accounting for 1.49% of the total number of doctors in the country (4287,000).
Mental illness patients and psychiatrists in our country are undoubtedly under enormous pressure.
With the support of relevant policies, with the rise of “AI + medical ”, the transformation of clinical research has accelerated, and digital medicine has entered the innovation stage.
In the field of clinical psychology, digital technology has also become an important means to solve the contradiction between the huge patient needs and the limited ability to receive treatment.
At the China International Service Trade Fair held in early September 2023, the AI psychological service robot named "North Xiao Six" was officially unveiled.
Its height is about 1 meter, the "head" is a digital screen, and the "foot" is equipped with wheels and can be moved.
Under the guidance of Lu Lin, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and president of the Sixth Hospital of Peking University, the project was developed by Huang Xuebing, director of the Clinical Psychology Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
According to Zhang Shuang, a member of the research and development team and psychotherapist of "North Little Six", the research and development of "North Little Six" was launched in 2019, aiming to help people solve psychological problems in a self-help manner and prevent aggravation. In October 2022, "North Little Six" AI psychological service robot was officially put into use.
The function of "North Little Six" consists of four modules: AI counseling, psychological evaluation, psychological intervention and popular science education, which are used to determine users' psychological problems and recommend matching counseling programs, early identification and screening, and provide four standardized intervention programs, eight special skills training, and help users learn psychology related knowledge.
Among them, some of the AI functions are realized through natural language understanding and machine learning, and users can talk and interact with the "North Little Six" through human-computer interaction and voice.
Compared with the previous psychological digital products based on evaluation, the intelligence and uniqueness of "North Little Six" is that it can provide standardized psychological intervention according to the problem.
This also makes many people wonder if AI psychological counseling is really reliable and effective.
Zhang Shuang told reporters that after a clinical randomized controlled trial, "North Little Six" can significantly improve depression and anxiety problems, and the intervention effect is better than that of novice therapists.
Based on evidence-based data, its user satisfaction and depression prediction accuracy are high. "North Little Six" has served about 10,000 people in the hospital, including individual counseling and group counseling.
At present, "North Primary Six" has entered the school scene of colleges and universities, primary and secondary schools, and provided mental health services for students.
Zhang Shuang introduced that the "North Little Six" placed in the Shufan Library of the Medical Department of Peking University is playing a positive role, "especially in the examination season, students are prone to anxiety and other emotional problems, and can use the" North Little Six "self-help training after self-study.
It is also an experience and relaxation to understand your own psychological condition, or to acquire the skills to maintain mental health. "At the same time," North Little Six "is also expected to provide mental health services such as" psychological examination "and" psychological counseling "for employees of enterprises.
AI helps achieve “quality psychotherapy accessible to all ”
Not long ago, Zhou Meiyi on his sleep problems to the "North Little Six" did consultation: "It first asked me what problems, what symptoms, and then I answered by clicking on the options or voice input, there will be some quantitative questions."
After the end, "North Little Six" gave a recommended program, including special training, sleep CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) standardized counseling program, and anxiety assessment. The counseling program included health education, skills learning, homework and other modules.
Zhou Meiyi felt that due to communication with AI, the consultation process was relatively easy, and she was also more satisfied with the results of the consultation.
But at the same time, Zhou Meiyi has also raised concerns about the leakage of personal information.
In the actual consultation process, the psychological counselor will take the patient's facial expressions and limb movements as supplementary information for clinical diagnosis.
In the field of AI psychological counseling research and development, many aspects, including machine learning content, portrait recognition, and clinical case use, have ethical and privacy issues.
Respecting scientific ethics and protecting patient privacy are issues that researchers pay special attention to in the development of AI psychological service robots.
Zhang Shuang told reporters that the research and development team has adopted some encryption measures to protect the storage of patient data to ensure that ethical guidelines are adhered to throughout the treatment.
Zhang Shuang said that the entry of AI into the field of psychological counseling may cause related practitioners to worry about unemployment.
However, she believes that AI psychological counselors and human psychological counselors have their own advantages, and in the future, they will complement each other and support each other in application rather than replace each other. "Through the 'Beijing Primary Six', we can promote cooperation and exchange in clinical teaching and scientific research, share experience and research results, and improve the development level of the whole field," Zhang said.
In the future, it is hoped that national medical technology and clinical experience will leave the hospital and introduce professional services to the wider community and the public, so as to improve the national mental health level and realize the vision of "quality psychological treatment available to all".
(At the request of the patient, Zhou Mei is a pseudonym)
(Editor: Hao Shuai, Yang Di)

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

many features to enhance owner interaction

There is limited information on standardized benchmarks for evaluating AI robotic pets.

Title:

Content:

PR & Communications News South Africa

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Wunderman Thompson launches AI creative testing solution

Global creative and technology network, Wunderman Thompson, has launched Reveal, a complete AI creative testing solution to help brands evaluate their advertising and brand assets.
Image supplied. Wunderman Thompson has launched Reveal, a complete AI creative testing solution to help brands evaluate their advertising and brand assets

The AI-powered micro-expression analysis will improve the performance of advertising and brand assets and is the latest example of how Wunderman Thompson is embedding AI across its global network.

Developed by Wunderman Thompson’s team of data specialists and technologists, Reveal is a proprietary product that uses the latest AI techniques to measure consumers' attention and emotional responses to brand content through real-world environments.

David Lloyd, managing director of Data, EMEA at Wunderman Thompson says Reveal is a game changer for creative testing.

“Not only because it allows brands to test a larger audience, faster, and more cost-effectively than traditional methods, but it also delivers a far richer understanding of how to improve the creative performance of branded content, based on the data and insights collected,” says Lloyd.

AI-powered emotions detection model

The product implements an AI-powered emotions detection model developed by Wunderman Thompson which can predict seven micro-expressions (anger, disgust, fear, happy, neutral, sad, surprise) accurately.

By observing participants’ micro-expressions and changes in muscle movement in the face, which are involuntary and authentic, and map the changes to emotional states using computer vision and machine learning algorithms, this cutting-edge technology can accurately assess emotional reactions to brand content in real-time.

Reveal provides insights into how consumers react to branded content on a second-by-second and frame-by-frame basis.

It can pinpoint the emotional highs and lows, and identify the moments that capture and hold their attention, engage them in the story, and create emotional connections.

The tool can also detect the objects that consumers look at in the content and measure how much attention they pay to them.

As a result, brands can test different video edits, headlines, images, copy, and more, to understand what works best for the target audience and ultimately optimise their creative communications and foster deeper connections with their target audience.

The process is completely consent-based and no personal data is stored beyond the time required for analysis.

Embed AI across its capabilities

The launch comes as part of Wunderman Thompson’s ambition to embed AI across the network’s capabilities.

“Scaling AI is a team sport and requires team spirit,” says Alex Steer, global chief data officer at Wunderman Thompson.

“Over the last few years, we've built a global data and AI practice; formed a Creative Data Group to transform how we approach creativity for clients; and set up a cross-disciplinary team to drive scalable AI innovation through our core business.

“Every week, we’re seeing more and more opportunities to apply leading technologies into the integrated capability set of our agency, across creative, brand strategy, production, experience, commerce, and CRM,” expands Steer.

Let's do Biz

Title:

Content: Luo Junbin / Bamboo County Report
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) will be held in January next year. ITRI has won three innovation awards: Smart Thermal Imaging System, Smart Pet Collar, and RGB-D AI Robot Innovation Technology, showing that the Ministry of Economic Affairs has invested in R & D resources and technology layout.
ITRI President Liu Wen-hsiung said that the number of products competing for the 2022 CES Innovation Award this year exceeded a record 1,800, and ITRI won the award with three technologies, demonstrating outstanding innovation and research strength, highlighting that ITRI technology seizes market demand and cuts into product gaps in order to win the favor of the evaluation.
The “Intelligent Thermal Imaging System ” developed by ITRI uses AI AI and thermal imaging detection technology to create a personal health monitoring secretary. It can continuously monitor physiological signals without contact, and report abnormal alarms such as falls and leaving the bed.
The iPetWeaR smart pet collar is designed to detect and record the heartbeat, breathing and movement of pets by placing the collar on the pet ’ s chest. It is also a product with unlimited potential in the global pet economy.
The RGB-D AI robot is the world ’ s first MIT collaborative robot that uses 3D vision sensing and intelligent retrieval as standard. Its visual sensor is 168 times smaller than other brands, its sensing speed is 38.6 times faster, and the reconstruction rate of material reflections is 2.1 times higher. This technology has been transferred to domestic collaborative robot manufacturer Taming Robotics.
# ITRI # Pets # Innovation # AI # Wisdom

AI robotic pets may contribute to social isolation and hinder social skill development.

Title:

Content: Science and Technology
Growing concern about humans falling in love with artificial intelligence robots
Featured Image Source: Getty Images
15 July 2024, 11: 55 am
Over the past decade, AI-powered virtual assistants, such as Apple ’ s Siri and Amazon ’ s Aleska, have become an integral part of smartphone and social media technologies.
More recently, a new type of human-like chat software powered by artificial intelligence has emerged, interacting with humans through text, sound and images.
Currently, there are more than 100 AI-powered apps that offer romantic and possibly sexual partners with extensive customization options, including physical and personality traits.
Related News
Artificial Intelligence May Encourage Accusing Others of “Lying ”
By demonstrating realism, adaptability, and interaction, AI-powered chatbots can evolve gradually during a conversation, and their responses can be adjusted to suit users ’ interests, needs, and communication styles.
Modern AI-powered chatbots have increasingly human-like qualities, increasing the tendency for users to engage and form emotional bonds, to the point of falling in love.
Researchers say loneliness, exacerbated by the limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic, has led more people to use AI as an alternative to romantic friends and partners.
Do we have to worry?
Shockingly, recent preliminary studies showed no difference in enjoyment, sexual arousal, and emotional response for participants who interacted with a human, chatbot, or real human.
One study even showed that individuals feel a stronger emotional attachment to chatbots than to less responsive humans during a conversation.
Research has repeatedly suggested that humans can make real emotional connections with AI, even if they admit it ’ s not a “real ” person.
Although many people seem to derive psychological benefits from using chatbots, the potential harmful consequences of these relationships remain unclear.
The dark side of falling in love with artificial intelligence
Experts say in a report published by the site "Live Science" that romantic chat robots are programmed to provide a unique form of companionship, with constant availability and smooth interactions and avoidance of conflicts and problems, raising concerns about the impact on the expectations of users regarding romantic relationships and human sexuality.
Experts have confirmed that chatbots may work to:
Obstructing the development of social skills
Romantic chat programs may hinder the development of social skills for dealing with real-world relationships, including emotional regulation and self-affirmation through social interactions.
Lack of these elements may hinder users ’ ability to develop genuine, complex, and reciprocal relationships with other humans; human relationships often involve challenges and conflicts that foster personal growth and deep emotional connections.
Promoting social isolation
The customizable nature and constant availability of AI companions can lead to social isolation and emotional dependence.
The researchers suggest that intensive engagement with AI companions may cause individuals to withdraw from their immediate environment and reduce their motivation to build new and meaningful social connections, as users may also rely excessively on these digital entities for emotional support, companionship, or sexual needs.
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Developing AI robotic pets requires compliance with data laws and regulatory approval from agencies like the FDA.

Title:

Content: Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the healthcare industry, offering innovative solutions to improve patient care, streamline administrative processes, and reduce costs. However, stakeholders must navigate the complex legal and regulatory landscape that governs its use.

One of the most pressing challenges is ensuring patient privacy and data security. Healthcare providers and technology developers must comply with data protection laws such as HIPAA in the United States and GDPR in the European Union. Compliance is crucial, as non-compliance can result in fines and reputational damage. Robust data protection measures, transparency with patients, and informed consent procedures are essential to navigate these regulations.

Another challenge is the potential for algorithmic bias and discrimination. AI systems trained on biased or unrepresentative datasets may perpetuate existing disparities in healthcare. To address this, stakeholders must ensure AI systems are trained on diverse and representative datasets and regularly audited for biases. Regulators may need to establish guidelines to prevent AI from exacerbating healthcare disparities.

Determining liability when AI systems make mistakes or cause harm is another challenge. Collaboration is necessary to develop legal frameworks that assign responsibility and liability. This may involve updating existing medical malpractice laws or creating new legislation specific to AI healthcare applications.

Navigating the regulatory landscape governing the approval and use of AI systems is also crucial. For example, the FDA in the United States regulates medical devices, including AI systems. Stakeholders must stay informed of the latest developments and requirements to comply with regulatory frameworks.

In conclusion, while AI has the potential to revolutionize healthcare, it comes with legal and regulatory challenges. By addressing data privacy, algorithmic bias, liability, and regulatory compliance, stakeholders can facilitate the responsible and effective use of AI to improve patient care and outcomes.

AI robotic pets can provide comprehensive care and support to elderly individuals, improving health outcomes when integrated with existing healthcare systems.

Title:

Content: Gulf News / UAE News
Abusaif reads the expressions of potential patients from senior citizens
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Abu Dhabi - Saif Al Yazid - Al Ain (Al Ittihad)
UAEU ’ s Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Laboratory, part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) system, which is being adopted by UAEU through the establishment of five core laboratories to support the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the UAE, is working on several innovative academic projects and programs aimed at serving the community and the student.
Dr. Fadi Al-Najjar, Associate Professor at the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering and Director of the Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Laboratory, stressed that UAEU is keen to keep abreast of the development of educational technologies and enhance the role of artificial intelligence in modern academic studies and programs.
He added that the programs of artificial intelligence laboratories at the university, which has been completed, is to work on the development of the mental health monitoring system for senior citizens and predict the future development of their cases, based on the robot "Abusif", which was designed and developed in the laboratory and with technical support from Microsoft in the Middle East and Africa.
The robot will talk to potential patients, notice changes in their facial expressions, the fluidity of their speech and the speed of their response to various stimuli, and give clinical reports on the extent of the risk of cognitive impairment.
The robot uses artificial intelligence algorithms that are expected to have a promising future in the early diagnosis of intractable brain diseases, such as dementia and Alzheimer ’ s.
The researchers predict that artificial intelligence and deep learning will have the greatest role in diagnosing diseases more quickly and accurately, which may exceed human capabilities.
Smart home robots will monitor and assist seniors and people with disabilities in daily life activities, such as making sure they are taking medication, helping them prepare their food, helping them exercise, move and follow their daily activities, and creating daily reports of their cases to speed up medical intervention in time of need.
He pointed out that in line with the principle of coexistence of the scientific sector beyond COVID-19, the laboratory is developing mechanisms based on artificial intelligence and deep learning that can be used in the classroom, whether physical or virtual, to monitor the degree of attention or preoccupation of students during the classroom, highlight their personal interests and mental abilities, and create detailed reports for the classroom teacher.
Mechanisms
Dr. Fadi Al-Najjar said: “These mechanisms contribute to the allocation of scientific curricula and enhance and raise the efficiency of teachers with less effort, in addition to increasing the achievement of students and helping them to learn more effectively.
He believes that the integration of artificial intelligence in education will be the main driver of a wave of innovative and effective educational challenges that serve teachers and students alike, and contribute to shaping the modern foundations of teaching and learning and improving educational practices and outcomes.
Through AI, educational curricula will be more dynamic and adaptable to meet each student ’ s individual educational needs and central to the needs of society. ”
You may also read.

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

AI robotic pets can revolutionize care for the elderly and lonely by providing emotional companionship and support.

Title:

Content: Home Health the many “faces” of robotics in healthcare – breaking latest news

the many “faces” of robotics in healthcare – breaking latest news

by admin
Of Eugenio Zuccarelli, Data scientist, New York

Technological innovation has the potential to revolutionize the way hospital and non-hospital healthcare is delivered. But there are still many obstacles to overcome

Robotics is a rapidly growing field in the healthcare system as well, especially given that it has
the potential to revolutionize the way hospital and non-hospital healthcare is delivered
. Indeed, robotics can be used in a wide range of healthcare applications, including surgical procedures, rehabilitation and diagnostic tests.

In addition to hardware, this technology also has a strong software component, given that artificial intelligence is at the basis of the control of these systems. Furthermore, that part of software consisting of chatbots and virtual assistants can also be considered robotics, which in the healthcare sector is implemented for improve patient engagement and communication.

Robotic surgery

One of the most obvious applications of robotics in healthcare lies precisely in surgical procedures. Robotic technology can be used to assist surgeons in performing complex procedures with greater precision and accuracy. For example, today’s most popular robotic surgical system in the world allows surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures such as laparoscopic surgery with greater precision and control than traditional laparoscopic surgery. This results in less pain, scarring and lower recovery times for patients. Additionally, robot-assisted surgery can be used to perform procedures that would otherwise be impossible, such as surgeries to the brain, heart or spinewhich require precision close to human limits.

If the robotic surgery system is completely self-contained, i.e. does not require human intervention for part of the procedure, artificial intelligence is also starting to play a key role. This is because the robotic tool needs a “brain”; in the sense that it needs a control system that has the ability to adjust its behavior even in non-standard cases. For example, the system could have a component that captures images in a continuous way of the area to be operated on and positions itself to perform the operation best for that specific patient.

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Robotic rehabilitation

Another application of robotics in the healthcare system concerns rehabilitation. Robotic technology can be used to assist patients in recovering from injury or illness by providing them with exercises and targeted therapies. For example, robotic exoskeletons can be used to help patients with spinal injuries regain the ability to walk. Other robotic devices can be used instead to help stroke patients
to regain the use of the limbs through targeted exercises. This is especially important because when accompanied by an AI system, the robot can actively move in a way that accompanies and encourages patient movement and calibrate according to the patient’s reaction.

Robotic technology can also be used to assist patients with physical therapyenabling them to perform exercises that would otherwise be impossible and guide the patient, correcting him when he performs actions incorrectly.

telemedicine

Robotic technology can also be used in conjunction with telehealth to improve patient engagement and communication. For example, a software company has created a telehealth robot that allows doctors to consult patients remotely, perform diagnostic tests, and even remotely control medical equipment. This can greatly improve access to healthcare for patients living in remote or rural areas. Furthermore, telemedicine accompanied by robotics can allow doctors who are physically located in other parts of the world to perform the operations anyway. This is particularly useful when talking about particular events or because the disease is rare or because it is extremely complex. If so, the few surgeons in the world who are skilled in that area can still perform the procedure and save lives.

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Robotic pharmacy

Robotic technology can also be used in the field of pharmacy to automate drug dispensing. For example, a robot can automatically fill and dispense medical prescriptions, which can greatly improve the efficiency and accuracy of the dispensing process but also personalize dispensing and avoid human errors.

Virtual assistants

Robotics can also be implemented as software, t

relax chatbots and virtual assistants
, to improve patient engagement and communication. For example, virtual assistants can be used for answer patient questions, schedule appointments, and provide information about symptoms and treatments. This can greatly improve the patient experience and increase access to healthcare, especially for common questions. In particular, chatbots can be used to triage patients, helping them understand their symptoms and decide when to seek medical care.

The challenges

In conclusion, the use of robotics in healthcare has the potential to greatly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare system. There are various challenges for the implementation of this technology, including i costs for purchasing and maintaining robotic equipment, lack of standardization and regulation, and lack of training and education for healthcare professionals.

To fully exploit the potential of robotics for healthcare, it is important that the healthcare industry invests in research and development but also that policy makers create a regulatory environment that supports the safe and effective use of this technology and a culture shift that embraces these new tools that elevate the capabilities of our physicians.

February 14, 2023 (change February 14, 2023 | 3:58 pm)

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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?

The European Union's AI Act regulates the use of AI robotic pets.

Title:

Content: The EU AI Act Overview

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Papilio Services Limited

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Papilio Services Limited, established in 2012, is based in Malta with sister companies in the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. The firm boasts a multinational team and a diverse client base, providing cross-border solutions in Corporate, Tax Compliance, and Residency services on a global scale.
The European Parliament achieved a key milestone by adopting the landmark Artificial Intelligence Act, paving the way for the European Union's first complete legal framework for artificial intelligence (AI).
European Union Technology
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The European Parliament achieved a key milestone by adopting the landmark Artificial Intelligence Act, paving the way for the European Union's first complete legal framework for artificial intelligence (AI). This pioneering law seeks to achieve a compromise between the AI industry's need for innovation and the imperatives of upholding fundamental rights and guaranteeing the security and reliability of AI systems. The EU's determination to lead the world in ethical AI governance is reflected in the EU AI Act which upholds citizens' rights and interests while promoting a strong technological environment.

Ensuring Safety and Protecting Rights

The primary objective of the EU AI Act is to establish a regulatory environment that ensures AI systems deployed within the EU are safe, transparent, and respect fundamental rights. This is achieved through a risk-based approach that categorises AI systems into different risk levels, each with corresponding regulatory requirements. High-risk AI systems, which pose significant risks to health, safety, or fundamental rights, are subject to stringent regulations, including rigorous testing, documentation, and human oversight.

The EU AI Act mandates that AI systems must be designed and developed in a manner that upholds fundamental rights, such as privacy, non-discrimination, and data protection. This emphasis on fundamental rights reflects the EU's commitment to creating a human-centric AI landscape, where technology serves the needs and values of society. By prioritizing the safety and rights of individuals, the legislation aims to build public trust in AI technologies, which is crucial for their widespread adoption and acceptance.

Boosting Innovation and Competitiveness

The EU AI Act aims to encourage innovation and competitiveness in the AI industry even as it places stringent limitations on high-risk AI systems. The law contains provisions intended to aid in the creation and application of AI technology, especially for startups and small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). The intention is to foster innovation by lowering administrative burdens and offering clear legislative rules, which will promote the development of a thriving AI ecosystem in Europe.

Focusing on encouraging cooperation between the public and private sectors is one of the main features of the EU AI Act. To guarantee that AI technologies are created in accordance with societal needs and values, the act promotes collaboration and partnerships between researchers, developers, and regulatory organisations.

By adopting a risk-based approach to regulation, it recognises that not all AI systems pose the same level of risk. The legislation classifies AI systems into three main categories: unacceptable risk, high risk, and limited risk. This tiered approach allows the EU to tailor its regulatory framework to the specific risks associated with different AI applications, ensuring that regulations are proportionate and effective.

Transparency and Accountability

Transparency and accountability are key to the EU AI Act's principles. The law requires AI systems to be open about how they operate and make decisions, especially those that are deemed high-risk. This entails giving consumers information that is easy to comprehend regarding the operation of AI systems, the data they use, and the reasoning behind their choices.

The statute mandates that high-risk AI systems be created in a way that permits efficient human intervention, underscoring the significance of human control. This guarantees that people maintain control and have the ability to step in when needed to stop damage or fix mistakes, and to ensure that AI technologies are used responsibly and ethically by increasing accountability and transparency.

EU Leadership in AI Governance

The adoption of the EU AI Act establishes the EU as a global leader in AI governance, laying the groundwork for other governments and regions to follow. The EU wants to ensure that AI technologies are used responsibly and ethically, making a positive impact on society, by creating a thorough legal framework.

The EU's commitment to advancing global collaboration in AI governance is also reflected in the legal framework. The law has measures for working together with foreign partners, including exchanging best practices and creating international standards. The EU aims to provide a harmonised legal framework that protects fundamental rights, ensures the safe use of AI technologies, and promotes innovation through international cooperation.

EU AI Act Next steps

The regulation will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the official journal and be directly applicable to 27 Member States, including Malta, on 2nd August 2026, except for bans on prohibited practises, which will apply 6 months after the entry into force date; codes of practise (9 months after entry into force); general-purpose AI rules including governance (12 months after entry into force); and obligations for high-risk systems (36 months).

Businesses will have to ensure alignment with the following:

  • Inventory all AI systems that you have (or will have) developed or deployed, and establish if any of them are subject to the EU AI Act.
  • In order to ascertain the risk categorization of the in-scope AI systems and the relevant compliance requirements, evaluate and classify the systems.
  • Acknowledge your company's place in pertinent AI value chains, the related compliance requirements, and the means by which these requirements will be fulfilled. All functions accountable for the AI systems along the value chain must incorporate compliance throughout the systems' lifecycle.
  • Understand the additional risks (such as interacting with other EU or non-EU rules, such as those pertaining to data privacy) and opportunities (such as providing access to AI Act sandboxes for innovators, small and medium-sized businesses, and others) that the AI Act presents to the strategy and operations of your organisation.
  • Develop and implement a plan to guarantee that, upon the Act's implementation, the proper risk and control systems, quality management, documentation, accountability and governance frameworks, and monitoring are in place.

The purpose of this article is to provide a general overview of the subject matter. Should you require additional information please refer to Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

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Artificial Intelligence Ethics
AI Ethics, or AI Ethics, contains a comprehensive set of principles, guidelines, and frameworks designed to ensure the responsible and ethical development, deployment, and management of AI systems.
In the context of artificial intelligence and machine learning (ML), AI ethics aims to address a variety of ethical issues related to AI applications, including transparency, accountability, security, privacy, fairness, and human rights.
As AI technologies, especially machine learning algorithms, are widely adopted and ingrained in various sectors of society, such as healthcare, finance, education, and transportation, these issues are worth considering.
As a powerful no-code platform, AppMaster supports the development of cutting-edge AI applications, so incorporating ethical considerations into their design and use is critical.
Some of the key topics of AI ethics include:
1.
Transparency refers to the importance of making the internal workings of AI and machine learning systems clear and understandable to avoid creating “black box ” scenarios.
This will help foster trust and facilitate communication between developers, users and stakeholders.
In this case, transparency can be achieved through interpretable AI, which requires the creation of AI systems that can communicate the underlying logic and decision-making processes to humans.
In addition, transparency involves making AI research and data easily accessible, enabling individuals to analyze and review algorithms and their results.
Accountability means that organizations and individuals involved in the development and deployment of AI systems are responsible for the potential consequences and harms of their use of AI technologies.
Accountability mechanisms such as public audits can be developed to monitor the performance, ethical standards, and regulatory compliance of AI and machine learning solutions.
AI developers and users must also consider any potential bias, discrimination, or other unintended effects that may arise and take steps to proactively address these issues.
3.
Security is an important consideration in AI ethics, as AI and machine learning technologies can be vulnerable to a variety of threats, such as adversarial attacks and data breaches.
Ensuring robust security measures in AI development include incorporating secure coding practices, data privacy protection, and cybersecurity.
In addition, developers should always be vigilant for emerging threats and security vulnerabilities, constantly updating and refining their safeguards to maintain a high level of security and integrity of AI systems.
4.
Privacy concerns the protection of personal and sensitive data collected and processed by AI and machine learning systems.
This involves the implementation of strict privacy policies, data processing procedures and anonymization techniques to ensure data confidentiality and compliance with relevant data protection regulations.
Consent mechanisms should also be integrated into AI systems to obtain user consent for data collection and processing.
While balancing AI research and innovation needs, consideration must be given to ensuring that user privacy is well protected.
5.
Equity primarily involves eliminating bias and discrimination in AI systems.
It is important to ensure that AI algorithms do not exhibit or amplify existing societal biases that lead to unfair decisions or outcomes.
This can be achieved by developing reliable and representative datasets for AI model training, machine learning techniques using fair perception, and regular bias analysis of algorithms.
A strong commitment to equity will promote fair AI systems that contribute to social welfare, rather than perpetuating inequality.
6.
Human rights and AI ethics are intrinsically linked, as AI technologies can have a significant impact on people ’ s rights and freedoms.
This includes labour rights, privacy, non-discrimination and freedom of expression.
AI developers must strike a balance between technological advances and the protection of human rights, ensuring that AI and machine learning solutions do not infringe on the rights and well-being of individuals and communities.
In summary, AI ethics is a key area for promoting responsible and ethical AI design, development, and deployment.
As an advanced no-code platform, AppMaster plays a vital role in incorporating AI ethics principles into its products.
By incorporating ethical considerations such as transparency, accountability, security, privacy, fairness, and human rights, AppMaster can further enhance its ability to deliver innovative, scalable, and responsible AI solutions across industries.
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