The promise and pitfalls of using robots to care for the elderly

The following article discusses an ad for France’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul charity, which questions whether technology can substitute real human contact and caregiving?

The ad follows a long term care resident, Claudine, throughout her day while the robot (B.E.N.) prepares her meals, provides her medications, and entertains her.

The article looks at the positive side of robot assistance for the three d’s of work: dangerous, dull, and dirty jobs. As well as some benefits we could expect from a partnership between humans and robots/A.I. assistance.

Although there could be some benefit from a partnership, handing over our humanity to robots to streamline and expand our care services probably isn’t the best option to help those that need human touch and comfort the most.

Watch the video here | Read the article here

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