PAIR Distinguished Lecture Series: The Future of Elder Care: Integrating Large Language Models
Conference / Lecture
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Date
26 Apr 2024
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Organiser
PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research
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Time
10:30 - 12:00
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Venue
Senate Room (M1603), 16/F, Block M, PolyU Map
Speaker
Professor Alex MIHAILIDIS
Enquiry
PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research 3400 3036 info.pair@polyu.edu.hk
Remarks
Open to public
Summary
As the global population ages, the burden on elderly care infrastructure increases, exacerbated by workforce shortages and financial constraints. The presentation explores the potential of integrating Large Language Models (LLMs) into elder care services, addressing the growing demand and associated challenges in this sector. LLMs, exemplified by advanced AI systems like ChatGPT, offer innovative solutions to these issues through their ability to understand and generate human-like text, enabling enhanced social interactions, improved safety through real-time monitoring, and increased accessibility of information for the elderly.
The presentation outlines the specific benefits of using LLMs in elderly care, including the support they offer to caregivers by providing essential tools and resources. It also delves into the ethical considerations and challenges that arise, such as privacy concerns, the risk of over-dependence on technology, and the barriers to technology adoption by older adults and their caregivers.
Concluding with a call to stakeholders to explore and invest in LLM technologies, the presentation emphasizes the role of empathetic and emotionally-intuitive AI in enhancing the quality of life for the elderly and supporting the caregiving ecosystem. This integration signifies a promising advancement in addressing the pressing challenges faced by the elder care sector today.
Keynote Speaker
Professor Alex MIHAILIDIS
Associate Vice President for International Partnerships and Professor, Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Unversity of Toronto
Prof. Mihailidis holds the position of Associate Vice President for International Partnerships at the University of Toronto, in addition to being the Scientific Director of the AGE-WELL Network of Centres of Excellence. His work primarily involves developing new technologies and services for the elderly. He also serves as a Professor in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Biomedical Engineering, and holds a cross appointment in the Department of Computer Science at the University. With a research career spanning 17 years, Prof. Mihailidis has made significant contributions to the field of technology for older adults, with over 200 publications including journal papers, conference papers, and abstracts. He is also an active member of the rehabilitation engineering profession, having served as the Past-President for Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA). In 2014, he was honoured as a Fellow of RESNA, one of the highest recognitions in this field of research and practice. In 2021, he was named a Fellow in the Canadian Academy of Health Science (CAHS) for his contributions to the health and well-being of older Canadians.
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