AI chatbot by U of A aims to combat loneliness among seniors

A University of Alberta artificial intelligence expert is behind a project meant to provide isolated seniors with companionship. Osmar Zaïane is the project head for the Automated Nursing Program, an in-development chatbot designed to simulate dynamic conversation and provide social fulfilment for elders experiencing loneliness. We don't have enough nursing homes for everybody and not everyone wants to go to nursing homes," Zaïane said. "Often they lose their partner in life, so they live at home, alone, and their families are far away. The project differs from popular chatbots like Siri and Alex, which are task-oriented, meaning they respond to inputs to perform functions like playing a song or turning on the lights.