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South Korea Adopts AI Call Service to Monitor Elderly Residents Living Alone
Cities and counties across South Korea have implemented an artificial intelligence-powered call service to check on thousands of older adults living alone. In one instance, the service detected a medical emergency and alerted a social worker, resulting in prompt medical intervention. The program addresses issues related to aging and isolation in the country.
Apr 30, 3:32 AM·1m read1 source
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An artificial intelligence-powered call service has been adopted by cities and counties in South Korea to monitor older adults living alone, according to a report by japantimes.co.jp. The service conducts check-in calls to thousands of such individuals.
Chung Yun-hee, a woman in her 70s living on the outskirts of Seoul, experienced severe symptoms including sweating, pain, and vomiting. She received a call from the AI chatbot named Talking Buddy, which inquired about her well-being.
Chung was taken for surgery to treat an acute hernia within hours, as reported by japantimes.co.jp. The incident occurred in her small apartment.
The service operates amid challenges of aging and dementia, as observed at facilities like Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital in Seoul. Photographs from the hospital on April 15, 2026, illustrate the daily impact of these issues, according to the report. The AI system provides a mechanism for rapid response to potential health crises among isolated elderly residents.
