News
25 April, 2025
Wired for aged care as AI steps up for seniors
FROM robots to smart toilets and metallic exoskeletons, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology have the potential to revolutionize aged care in Australia, as it's already happening around the world, according to a leading tech expert.
That was the message from scientific futurist Dr. Catherine Ball, who highlighted the opportunities AI presents in improving care, efficiency, and safety for both residents and staff in aged care.
“As these new technologies come into the healthcare industry, you don’t want to be on the back foot of this,” she said.
Speaking at Ageing Australia’s recent ITAC conference in Melbourne, Dr. Ball suggested that aged care could benefit from AI-driven innovations in the near future to reduce risks and improve working conditions.
“Because the Workplace Health and Safety Act states that if there’s a known and available technology and you didn’t use it, you’re liable,” said Dr. Ball, who is also a robotics expert.
One area of promise is the use of AI-powered exoskeletons to help both carers and older people with physically demanding tasks, reducing injury and fatigue.
The wearable external robotic device is taking off in countries like Japan and South Korea. These nations, facing rapidly ageing populations, are investing significantly in AI and technology to support older people.
Japan has been at the forefront, said Dr. Ball, adding that Australia should look to countries in the Asia-Pacific region for inspiration rather than relying on “tech-bros” in Silicon Valley.
“Communities in the Asia-Pacific have so much to teach us,” she said.
While aged care remains an incredibly complex sector that is heavily regulated, Dr. Ball said existing frameworks in Australia are not a barrier to adopting new technologies and “regulation and legislation don’t stymie innovation.”
Instead, the key challenge is understanding where AI can add the most value.
“We don’t know what the problems are in your sector that AI can help with,” Dr. Ball said.
Also speaking at ITAC, Ageing Australia CEO Tom Symondson said the sector risked being left behind if innovation was ignored.
“AI won’t take your job, but someone who uses it will take your customers,” he said.
“Innovation is everywhere. Often the biggest barriers are the ones we impose on ourselves,” he said.
He described AI as a powerful tool to support a complex sector run by people who care deeply about the lives of older Australians.
He pointed to the recent World Ageing Festival in Singapore and the memorandum of understanding signed between Ageing Australia and Ageing Asia as key steps toward fostering greater collaboration and innovation in the sector.
“You can learn things not just from the person down the road, or the person in Perth, or in Cairns, but from the person in Ho Chi Minh, or in Helsinki, or in Boston,” he said.
