Artificial intelligence vital in improving elderly’s health
Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have the potential of improving older people’s health and well-being, according to a new policy brief by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
But for AI to be useful to older people, discrimination against the aged-known as ageism – must be tackled, according to Ageism in artificial intelligence for health brief.
The global health body has noted that legal, non-legal and other technical measures must be introduced to minimise the risk of worsening or introducing ageism through AI.
In recent years, AI technologies have been revolutionising many fields including public health and medicine for older people where they can predict health risks and events. This has enabled drug development and support in personal care management.
However, WHO is warning that if left unchecked, AI may perpetuate existing ageism in society and undermine the quality of health and social care that older people receive.
Data used by AI can be unrepresentative of older people or skewed by past ageist stereotypes, prejudice or discrimination, the brief asserts.
At the same time, flawed assumptions of how older people wish to live or interact with technology in their daily lives can also limit design and reach of these technologies, and the way AI are used can reduce intergenerational contact or deepen existing barriers to digital access.
“The implicit and explicit biases of society, including around age, are often replicated in AI technologies. To ensure that AI play a beneficial role, ageism must be identified and eliminated from their design, development, use and evaluation,” observed Alana Officer, Unit Head, Demographics and Healthy Ageing, WHO.
Among the critical recommendations is the inclusion of a participatory design of AI technologies by and with older people. There should also be Investments in digital infrastructure and digital literacy for older people and their health-care providers and caregivers. Governance frameworks and regulations to empower and work with older people should also be put in place before the rollout.
There should also be increased research to understand new uses of AI and how to avoid bias. Age-diverse data science teams should also be involved in all technologies.
-Mwangi Mumero
