Summary:
- Lions Befrienders unveiled Joy, an AI chatbot that checks in on seniors, curbs loneliness, and detects signs of distress.
- The chatbot will launch on the Our Kampung app next March, where users can chat, track health, and book counselling sessions.
- Conversations are monitored, and any red flags prompt immediate follow-ups from human counsellors to ensure seniors’ safety and well-being.
Now, there’s nothing unusual about that – except, of course, that Joy isn’t human. “She” is in fact an upcoming AI chatbot designed to curb loneliness and identify distress in seniors.
The AI-powered “Wellness Buddy” was unveiled by social service agency Lions Befrienders (LB) during their annual symposium at the Lifelong Learning Institute.
Barring any delays, the chatbot will become available on the non-profit’s Our Kampung app in March next year, where it will double up as a digital concierge for users to book physical sessions with LB’s professional counselling team.
The app, which was released last December, also allows users to track their health, interact with virtual pets, and sign up for activities like volunteering or micro-jobs at LB’s active ageing centres.
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AI chatbot an early warning system, not therapist
The launch of LB’s digital counselling service comes amid a time of turmoil for AI chatbots and its use for therapy, following several high-profile cases where parents alleged that their child committed suicide as a result of their interactions with AI.
In those cases, the contentions usually follow a similar thread – prolonged conversations with AI lead to a degradation in safeguards, leading to answers that reinforce, rather than alleviate, suicide risk.
An LB spokesperson stressed that Joy is not meant to replace human interactions, but augment them.
Following the detection of a red flag, LB’s team would follow-up with a prompt physical investigation – either by making a phone call, or visiting the senior directly to provide personal support.
Joy is also not expected to act as a replacement for real-life friends, but rather, a complement to LB’s suite of daily in-person social activities at its various centres.
"We believe this blend of technology-driven companionship and professional human oversight offers the most comprehensive and caring solution for our seniors."
As a rule of thumb, it is generally fine to talk occasionally to AI chatbots if you’re feeling lonely. However, prolonged usage can leave you feeling lonelier than when you started – so be discerning, and make the effort to spend time with your real-world kakis.
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Symposium marked Lion Befrienders' 30th anniversary
The symposium also marked Lion Befrienders’ 30th anniversary as a social service organisation dedicated to serving the elderly.
The event was attended by Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Health & Ministry of Manpower, Dr Koh Poh Koon, along with a panel of speakers at the forefront of Singapore’s ageing ecosystem.
These include CEO of the Institute of Mental Health, Adjunct Associate Professor Daniel Fung; President of the Singapore Association for Counselling, Andy Lam; and Senior Master Social Worker at the National Cancer Centre Singapore, Adjunct Assistant Professor Gilbert Fan.
