As artificial intelligence (AI) tools become more widespread in senior living, new research from the Pew Research Center shines light on how Americans may perceive these tools. A study on acceptance of six AI and human enhancement applications found that many survey participants had concerns.

“Fundamentally, caution runs through public views of artificial intelligence (AI) and human enhancement applications, often centered around concerns about autonomy, unintended consequences and the amount of change these developments might mean for humans and society,” the report authors wrote.

The six scenarios ranged from implanting computer chips in the brain to improve cognitive speed and processing to self-driving cars.

“When it comes to the much-discussed possibility of a future with autonomous passenger vehicles in widespread use, more Americans say this would be a bad idea (44%) than a good idea (26%).”

Notably, women are more cautious than men in acceptance of AI applications. The McKnight’s Senior Living article “Ready or not, here it comes — in fact, it’s here” highlighted findings related to use of driverless cars, where 46% of men and only 27% of women said they would “definitely” or “probably” ride in one, and 72% of women said they would “definitely not” or “probably not” want to.

Among the themes running through the research results are that less than half of the public believes these technologies would improve things over the way they are now, that Americans see a need for higher standards to assess the safety of technologies on the horizon than are currently used, and that there are mitigating steps people say would make these AI and human enhancement developments more acceptable.

Upcoming Session: Navigate Your Data Maze with Artificial Intelligence

For more on ways you can use AI tools in your organization today, be sure to attend a special session at the upcoming LeadingAge Annual Meeting + EXPO, to be held Oct. 16-19, 2022, in Denver, CO.

Navigate Your Data Maze with Artificial Intelligence (Session 12-J)

Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.

In this session, providers of aging services use an array of software applications, spreadsheets, forms, and databases to help them manage medical records, admissions, accounting, human resources, and resident engagement. Employees tasked with navigating this information maze often find themselves spending countless hours completing mundane and duplicative tasks.

This session will present an alternative: artificial intelligence (AI) bots that automate daily tasks and allow employees to spend their time on more valuable and productive work. The speakers will show you how AI-driven automation technology is helping providers of aging services deliver valuable experiences for residents and clients while improving the efficiency of back-office teams. You’ll take home tips to help you jumpstart your organization’s AI journey.

The session will feature these expert speakers:

• Majd Alwan, SVP of Technology and Business Strategy/Executive Director, CAST, LeadingAge
• Travis Gleinig, CIO, United Methodist Communities
• Vipin Bhardwaj, CEO, NuAIg

Register today!