Artificial intelligence refers to the capability of computers to appear to think, reason, learn things and make decisions. Advanced AI protocols have created systems that can:
In 2023, ChatGPT was a common name mentioned with regard to AI. ChatGPT is what's called a chatbot. It's designed to draw on massive amounts of data so it can mimic text conversations humans might have and perform tasks or provide information to people who query it.
For example, you might ask ChatGPT what the biggest cities in the country are, and it can provide a list. But you could also ask it to explain the themes of the novel Moby-Dick, and it can do so. This is only one example of increasing chatbot technology in action.
The algorithms that power technology such as ChatGPT have many uses for businesses and individuals, including older adults. That's especially true in health care.
A huge benefit providers are starting to take advantage of when it comes to machine learning and AI is in monitoring data related to chronic conditions. Wearable devices, which range from fitness watches to glucose monitors, can capture massive amounts of data today. Diabetics, for example, can benefit from a constant influx of blood sugar data, or someone with cardiac concerns can have blood pressure and pulse readings recorded regularly throughout the day.
However, this amount of data would be almost impossible for a doctor to review accurately on a regular basis — especially as they may have many patients generating this level of data. Artificial intelligence programs can manage this amount of data, comparing it to preprogrammed norms and protocols and alerting providers when there may be an issue.
Often, this puts the power of disease monitoring in the individual's hands. They can use apps and other friendly interfaces to understand their numbers and even add notifications to loop in others. For example, residents at assisted living communities such as The Gardens at Barry Road in Kansas City might allow staff to be notified of any concerning trends in vital sign data.
Other uses of AI in the medical and health field include:
Chances are you rely on AI in little ways already without realizing it. For example, if you use email a lot, you probably have a spam folder. Your email program filters emails into that folder when it deems the email to be a potential scam or just unwanted in your inbox.
What many people don't realize is that the spam filter programs that do that work are designed to learn from your habits. If you always delete emails from certain senders without reading them, for instance, the spam filter learns that you don't want to see emails from that sender. It may start putting those emails in the spam filter automatically.
You can also download a variety of productivity apps that use AI to help you meet goals or manage projects or life in general. One example is called Goblin Tools. Odd name aside, this app lets you enter a goal and receive a list of milestones that will get you to that goal. Try typing "I want to make a crocheted blanket" or another goal. Then click the "+" sign to add it to your Goblin Tools goal list. Once you do that, you can click the magic wand to the right of the goal and the program will generate a list of steps you should plan to take. You can even click the wand next to any of those steps to break down the project further.
While there are certainly ethical concerns and legal matters regarding AI that need to be addressed in the future, this technology shouldn't automatically send older adults running for cover. There are many helpful uses of AI for older adults, and delving into some of the apps and programs offered by reputable organizations can help you understand whether that technology might be helpful to add to your life.
