Companion robots to mitigate loneliness among older adults: Perceptions of benefit and possible deception

Abstract

ObjectiveGiven growing interest in companion robots to mitigate loneliness, large-scale studies are needed to understand peoples’ perspectives on the use of robots to combat loneliness and attendant ethical issues. This study examines opinions about artificial companion (AC) robots regarding deception with dementia and impact on loneliness.MethodsData are from a survey of 825 members of the OHSU Research via Internet Technology and Experience cohort (response rate = 45%). Sixty percent (n = 496) of the age diverse sample (range = 25–88; M = 64; SD = 13.17) is over 64, allowing us to compare across age and consider current and future older adults. Ordinal logistic regressions examined relationships between age, health, and other socio-demographic characteristics and perceptions of impact on loneliness and comfort with deception.ResultsMost participants (68.7%) did not think an AC robot would make them feel less lonely and felt somewhat-to-very uncomfortable (69.3%) with the idea of being allowed to believe that an artificial companion is human. In adjusted models, one additional year of age was associated with lower likelihood of perceived benefit of reducing loneliness [Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.98; (0.97–0.99), p = 0.003] and lower comfort with deception [OR = 0.99; (0.97–1.00), p = 0.044]. Being female was associated with lower likelihood of comfort with deception [OR = 0.68; (0.50–0.93), p = 0.014] and high confidence using computers with greater comfort [OR = 2.18; (1.42–3.38), p < 0.001].DiscussionThere was not strong support for AC robots to mitigate loneliness. Most participants were uncomfortable with this form of deception, indicating need for design solutions for those who want to avoid this possibility, as well as greater attentiveness to desirability and comfort across age and gender.

AI Companion Robot Data Sharing: Preferences of an Online Cohort and Policy Implications

“…Risks include shaping expectations with misleading marketing materials that imply that use can "roll back" symptoms of dementia, as well as deception and confusion about who is behind the AI voice-issues frequently raised in the literature (Berridge et al, 2021;Robillard et al, 2020;Wangmo et al, 2019). As reported elsewhere, most of the survey participants reported on in this current paper did not believe that an artificial companion robot would help them feel less lonely if they were feeling lonely and expressed discomfort with the idea of being allowed to believe an AI voice is human should they have dementia (Berridge, Zhou, et al, 2023). As others have discussed, there are significant open efficacy and ethics questions (for example, see Samuel, 2020 andVallor, 2011) about using robots for care companionship.…”

“…This study has several limitations. The survey respondents are not representative of the general population regarding racial diversity or technological or formal education experience (for greater detail see Berridge, Zhou et al, 2023). Future work needs to emphasize examining these issues in more racially diverse and resource-diverse populations, as well as among older adults living with diagnoses of MCI or Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.…”

“…In this paper, we present analyses of the small artificial companionship robot questions about comfort and data preferences (see Appendix A). Responses to questions about perceived potential impact on loneliness and comfort with deception are reported in Berridge, Zhou, et al (2023). Participants were also asked about their comfort with a companion robot in the form of a larger, human-shaped robot; however, neither of the visual examples used in the survey are currently available on the market, and as such we focus our reporting on findings from questions about the smaller, better-developed robots that are available.…”

“…All 2,434 members of the RITE cohort were sent the online survey and 1,082 completed it for a response rate of 45%. As described in further detail in Berridge, Zhou, et al (2023), respondents were excluded if they were not living in the community (n=2) and if they did not have data for four core variables of interest, gender (missing=72), age (missing=4), education (missing=150), or memory problem history miss-ing=179), leaving a total of 825 included in the analysis. The gender variable recorded as part of the initial intake for the RITE cohort was a limited binary response option of male and female with a write-in option.…”

“Dementia Doesn’t Mean That Life Doesn’t Have More Wonderful Things Ahead”: A Qualitative Study Evaluating a Canadian Dementia Support Services Program

“…(16) The use of assistive technologies to facilitate independence for people living with dementia has also been examined, with devices ranging in complexity and functionality. (17)(18)(19)(20) For example, tools were developed as part of the ENABLE project funded in Europe to promote day-and night-time orientation to prevent wandering at night, find lost items, and regulate heat of kitchen appliances. (21) With some products found to be used more than others, the authors discovered that the availability and familiarity of the product influenced its use.…”