Experts highlight artificial intelligence and robotics as key drivers in transforming aged care.
By 2026, Singapore will enter “super aging”, with more than 25% of the population aged 65 or above. With this shift, industry leaders see advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics as transformative tools to address challenges and opportunities.
“Life spans are forever extending, but at the same time, our responsibilities for care are also growing [seniors]helping them age in place and as healthily as possible.
“Data used to be like little forms that we filled out, and now it’s being generated all the time,” Barra explains. He emphasized the role of artificial intelligence in making sense of this data, which would otherwise be “impossible for humans” to process.
Janice Chia, founder of Aging Asia Pte Ltd, focused on the practical application of artificial intelligence in the field of elderly care. “Artificial intelligence, most importantly, is a predictive analytics tool that can help prevent readmissions,” she said. “One of the most important challenges in using artificial intelligence today is ethical use and data privacy.”
At the same time, robotics is expanding care beyond traditional settings. Lim Chwee Foon, CEO of Eksobionics Asia Pacific, said: “Robots can now handle more complex tasks.” She shared how exoskeletons can provide elderly people in wheelchairs with the opportunity to walk again, calling it “completely life-changing.”
“Mobility is a key element of active aging,” Lin added, noting how robotics can bring rehabilitation into community spaces and even homes.
The rapid integration of artificial intelligence and robotics also raises critical ethical and governance issues. Bala stressed the importance of data privacy and its correct use. “We do need to maintain the privacy of the people in our care,” he said, adding that the data should be used primarily to improve health outcomes.
Chia called for transparency in how data is used. “The public needs to know how the data is being used,” she said, stressing the importance of transparency in increasing trust in technology-driven solutions.
Lim expressed concerns about the autonomy of AI systems, especially as AI agents gain the ability to act independently. “The key question now is, to what extent do we need to involve humans? Ultimately, in aged care, we really want humans to take responsibility,” she said.
