Background

September is World Alzheimer's Month, a global opportunity to educate and raise awareness around Alzheimer’s and demystify dementia. In this post, the founder of SELF, the hyper-personal AI-powered assistant, explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can play a pivotal role in assisting those affected by Alzheimer's disease.

Introduction

The world of AI continues to evolve at a rapid pace, touching various sectors and facets of our lives.However, the more poignant applications of AI require a hyper-personal approach, applying emotional intelligence rather than just the logical intelligence found in the most popular AI platforms today. SELF, the hyper-personal assistant, is unique in the competitive landscape, positioned squarely in the realm of individualised and emotionally intelligentAI. One area where invaluable support could be provided is Alzheimer's disease.Here are 5 ways that hyper-personal AI can be a beacon of hope for individual sand caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s. 

1.     Personal Memory Aids

For Alzheimer's patients, one of the most distressing symptoms is memory loss, which can lead to a profound sense of disorientation and frustration. SELF helps counteract this by aiding in memory augmentation and reminiscence therapy by recognising personal memories and generating personalised prompts for patients. In the quest to serve everyone as a personal assistant, SELF can use photos, videos and other personal information to create narratives or visual slideshows that can help patients reconnect with their past, thereby enhancing their sense of identity and grounding them in their personal history.

2.     Personalised Conversations

Social withdrawal and feelings of isolation are common among Alzheimer's patients. SELF is designed to be a virtual companion that can converse, reminisce, or even play songs from the patient's past. SELF engages individuals in meaningful dialogue and reduces feelings of loneliness. While SELF doesn’t intend to replace human interaction, it can fill in the gaps, providing company and stimulating conversation when human companions might not be available.

3.     Daily Life Assistance

Routine tasks can become daunting for those suffering from Alzheimer's. SELF can be used as an interface for everyday tools via mobile phones or home automation systems. These interfaces can be personalised based on the user's cognitive abilities, preferences, and daily routines. For instance, if SELF recognises through sensors that the patient has left the stove on, it can generate a reminder or even turn it off if connected to a smart home system.

4.     Monitoring and Prediction

The predictive capabilities ofSELF are profound due to its hyper-personal focus. By analysing a range of data – from medical records to the patient's interactions with various devices – SELF will be able to predict potential behavioural changes, mood swings, or even health risks. This early warning system will help caregivers and medical professionals intervene promptly, potentially preventing harmful situations or mitigating adverse outcomes.

5.     Data-DrivenPersonal Stories

Due to the constant memory-bank that SELF enables for each user, SELF can curate and create stories from a patient’s past, which can be a therapeutic tool for patients and a bridge for family members to connect with their loved ones. Hearing a familiar tale can evoke memories, stimulate conversations, and strengthen family bonds. SELF can do this due to being specific rather than generic, using personal language models rather than combining the data of multiple users which is common in other AI platforms.

Challenges and Considerations

While the potential is vast, the well-known development of AI as seen in the media, raises ethical and privacy concerns. The way popular platforms are configured is vastly different from being hyper-personal and private, however, the collection and use of personal data, especially for vulnerable individuals, requires stringent measures to ensure protection against misuse. Moreover, striking the balance between AI-assisted care and human touch is crucial to ensure patients do not feel isolated or overly dependent on technology. Unlike all other AI platforms today, these concerns are addressed fully by SELF in its completely private environment, and its inclusion of real-world human assistants to ensure humane interactions.

Conclusion

SELF offers a world of possibilities for enhancing the quality of life of those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers. With thoughtful implementation, it can not only alleviate some of the challenges of this devastating disease but also bring rays of hope, comfort, and connection to those affected. We believe the fusion of technology and compassion in hyper-personal AI has the potential to rewrite the narrative of Alzheimer's care.

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Author: Jonathan MacDonald, Founder & CEO, SELF

#WorldAlzheimersMonth