Can voice assistants really combat loneliness among the elderly?
As technology connects people around the world, loneliness remains widespread. This loneliness is especially common among older adults. Researchers are now investigating whether digital voice assistants, such as Amazon’s Alexa, can tackle loneliness in people facing social isolation.
Elena Castro, a health psychology and technology researcher at Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, commented: “Our research suggests that voice assistants could provide significant value in supporting older adults by addressing isolation – an issue with clear physical and psychological consequences.” Castro emphasized that these devices, while promising, still have limitations, especially in generating adaptive, emotionally responsive conversations.
However, Castro emphasized data security concerns and recommended careful consideration of privacy and ethical issues.
Loneliness and public health
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that loneliness affects up to a third of adults in America, Europe and China. This has linked it to increased health risks. Conventional approaches to loneliness typically include personalized social skills training, but this can be challenging for people with social disabilities. AI-based tools, including voice assistants, offer an alternative that can help individuals in isolated areas or those less inclined to in-person connections.
Research into the impact of voice assistants
Voice assistants, such as Alexa and Google Assistant, are becoming increasingly common in homes and are seen as potentially valuable for supporting older adults.
Castros study included 13 research papers analyzing how these devices can help alleviate loneliness. Although 85% of studies indicated positive outcomes, Castro advised caution, saying, “Due to the limited number of studies and varying methods, we must interpret the results carefully.”
Balancing aid with privacy and ethical issues
Privacy is a major issue with voice assistants, which work by continuously listening to users. Castro pointed out that this could expose older adults to unintended data collection risks. “Protecting privacy and educating users about data handling are critical to building trust,” she noted. Experts also warn against over-reliance on these devices, which can reduce direct social interaction.
In the future, Castro envisions that voice assistants could help with elder care, supportive activities, medication reminders and social engagement, potentially becoming an integral part of public health strategies that address loneliness.
