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Abstract:This article analyzes various issues faced by elderly care services in China from the perspectives of sociology, social security, and artificial intelligence technology development, proposing ideas for data, models, and computational power in the development of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) robots. In the context of rapid AI technology development, this article aims to inspire responsible scientists and technologists to develop AGI that can assist the lives of the elderly based on the actual needs of elderly care services in China. The article also seeks to help them think about how to build data systems and computational facilities that are compatible with AGI robot development to enable AI technology to address the challenges faced by the elderly care sector in China now and in the future. Simultaneously, this article hopes to build bridges for cooperation and connection between the construction of the social security system and AI technology, as well as between the fields of social security and AI, avoiding biases caused by disciplinary boundaries.
Keywords: High-quality elderly care services; AGI robots; Technical pathways
1. Introduction: The Call for AGI Robots in High-Quality Elderly Care Services
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that “the rapid development of emerging technologies represented by information technology and artificial intelligence has greatly expanded the dimensions of time, space, and human cognition, ushering humanity into an era of intelligent interconnection where ‘humans, machines, and objects’ are integrated.” Since the beginning of 2023, due to the rapid iteration and disruptive development of AI technology, media, scholars, and the elderly population have expressed eager expectations for AI robots that serve the elderly, making various anticipations. Humanity stands at the dawn of the AGI revolution. The era of AGI robots is imminent; machines can generate text and create images, and they will inevitably produce actions. Once machines master the generation of actions, they may gain insights into the intentions behind these actions, generating universal expressions. In fact, AI robots that can genuinely serve the elderly still have a long way to go, especially in terms of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). However, it is necessary to conduct forward-looking research on this issue to prepare both technically and socially for the arrival of the age of elderly-friendly AGI. On March 5, 2024, Premier Li Qiang made specific deployments in the “Government Work Report,” stating, “We must moderately advance the construction of digital infrastructure, accelerate the formation of a national integrated computing power system, and cultivate the computing power industrial ecosystem. We aim to empower economic development, enrich people’s lives, and enhance the modernization of social governance through extensive and profound digital transformation.”
AGI, also known as multimodal AI, refers to an AI tool that thinks, learns, and performs tasks like humans. It differs from specialized AI, such as language recognition, image processing, and natural language processing systems, as it acquires information from various sources, engages in machine learning, and reasons and decides like humans, characterized by generality, flexibility, and adaptability, capable of performing tasks in various environments, constituting a comprehensive intelligent system. Since the end of 2022, especially from the beginning of 2023, with OpenAI’s development of ChatGPT and the upcoming Sora (derived from the Japanese word “空,” meaning sky) in 2024, AI technologies with natural language processing and image processing capabilities have rapidly developed and iterated, with expectations that AGI robots will soon become comprehensive AI tools serving the elderly. “Now is the time to define our partnership with artificial intelligence and the realities that arise from it.”
Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the central government has increased policy support in scientifically addressing aging strategies. The elderly care service system has been continuously improved, with the total scale of elderly care beds exceeding 8 million. The state is striving to meet the needs for the construction of elderly care service institutions and training of elderly care personnel. Following the strategic deployment of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council, governments at all levels are working hard to improve various support policies and supporting reform measures, weaving a safety net for the livelihoods of both the elderly and children, and promoting the healthy development of elderly care and childcare services.
The data from the seventh national population census (hereinafter referred to as the “Seventh Census”) indicate that in 2020, China’s total fertility rate for women of childbearing age was 1.3, below the warning line of 1.5 for total fertility rates, and significantly lower than the natural replacement rate of 2.1. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the total number of elderly people aged 60 and above in China will exceed 300 million, accounting for more than 20% of the population, entering a moderately aging stage. By around 2035, the number of elderly people aged 60 and above in China will surpass 400 million, accounting for more than 30%, entering a severely aging stage. Moreover, the average life expectancy of Chinese people has increased to 77.93 years. This indicates that China has entered a phase of high aging and low birth rates. On one hand, the population is rapidly aging, while on the other hand, there is a declining birth rate. Effectively addressing the “one old and one young” issue in China currently and in the future requires exploration and innovation from multiple perspectives, including social insurance and social services, as well as leveraging technological advancements to alleviate the pressure of elderly care. From the perspective of social innovation, a noteworthy phenomenon that emerged in 2023 is that young people are beginning to enter the elderly care industry. For example, young people live with the elderly to provide services, and they examine each other’s needs and values, deepening mutual understanding across generations. In some regions, elderly care institutions are attempting to establish an “intergenerational integration” model, where young people can accumulate elderly care service hours in exchange for accommodation qualifications or rent deductions, helping the elderly while meeting their own needs. Elderly care services require emotional support, especially as the elderly approach the end of life; they need to understand life and death, and the younger generation should warmly respond to the elderly’s end-of-life questions. From the perspective of technological advancement, many historical coincidences have contributed to the inevitability of historical development, and we are currently in such an era. Just as China enters a phase of aging and declining birth rates, the world is entering an era of iterative and disruptive AI development. In mid-February 2024, OpenAI’s Sora launched 48 example videos, including highly realistic representations of the real world as well as animated or sci-fi segments, with characters and scenes complementing each other, clear character action trajectories, nuanced and vivid emotions, and detailed and realistic depictions. As one of the newly developed AI models, Sora creates realistic, imaginative, diverse characters and scenes with themes and backgrounds according to text instructions. This model not only understands user requests in prompts but also comprehends how these elements exist in the physical world. More importantly, it has fundamentally achieved insights and learning about the real world, essentially understanding how characters exist in the physical world, and can anticipate their movement trajectories. The combination of the “one old and one young” scenario and advancements in intelligent technology may significantly enhance the improvement of China’s elderly care service models.
This article analyzes various issues faced by elderly care services in China from the perspectives of sociology, social security, and artificial intelligence technology development. It hopes to inspire responsible scientists and technologists to develop AGI that assists the lives of the elderly based on the needs of elderly care services in China in the context of rapid AI development. It aims to help them think about data systems and computational facilities compatible with AGI robot development, enabling AI to address the challenges faced by the elderly care sector in China now and in the future. Additionally, it hopes to build bridges for cooperation and connection between the construction of the social security system and AI technology, as well as between the fields of social security and AI, avoiding biases caused by disciplinary boundaries. As American software expert Adam Carley said, “In my laboratory, we have a group of sociologists. Just listening to them discuss various issues encountered in sociology and social sciences, we realize that machine learning algorithms may have biases, but the five of us—all men—have a limited understanding of gender bias.”
2. Describing the Role of AGI Robots in High-Quality Elderly Care Development
(1) The Overlapping Ecologies of Population, Technology, and Elderly Care Services
Here, the term “triple overlap” is proposed to understand the current state of elderly care services in China. The first is “dual pressure overlap,” which refers to the dual pressure of continuously increasing elderly populations and the growing burden on the younger generation to support the older generation. The second is the overlap of “aging and AI technology,” indicating that as China enters a moderately aging stage, there is also a global trend of technological revolution centered on artificial intelligence, representing another form of overlap. The third is the “organizational service overlap” model of elderly care, where the government adopts a primary family care, secondary community care, and supplementary institutional care approach in response to the trends of aging and declining birth rates. Below, we will analyze this scenario and outline the technological innovation scenarios for future elderly care services.
1. “Dual Pressure Overlap”
According to information released at a press conference by the State Council Information Office on January 17, 2024, “In terms of age composition, the labor force aged 16-59 is 864.81 million, accounting for 61.3% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above is 296.97 million, accounting for 21.1% of the total population, of which those aged 65 and above are 216.76 million, accounting for 15.4% of the total population. The total number of births in the year was 9.02 million, with a birth rate of 6.39‰; the total number of deaths was 11.1 million, with a death rate of 7.87‰; the natural growth rate was -1.48‰.” Currently, the population of children aged 0-14 is smaller than that of the elderly. Another noteworthy phenomenon is that as of the end of 2022, among the elderly population aged 60 and above in China, approximately 44 million are disabled or semi-disabled, accounting for about 16.6% of the total elderly population. This means that one in every six elderly individuals cannot care for themselves. According to the “China Development Report 2023” published by the Development Research Center of the State Council, due to factors such as delayed marriage, decreased willingness to have children, and a high incidence of infertility, the birth rate in China is likely to remain low in the future.
In the face of such demographic challenges, particular attention should be paid to the elderly born between 1950 and 1980 and their children, namely the “post-80s,” “post-90s,” and some “post-00s.” The children of those born between 1950 and 1980 are increasingly taking on the responsibility of caring for their aging parents. These young people face multifaceted responsibilities in caring for their elderly parents, including financial support, labor input, and emotional involvement. From a caregiving perspective, providing emotional and psychological support is one of the essential aspects of elderly care. As parents age, maintaining the mental health of the elderly and enhancing their happiness become increasingly important, requiring patience, understanding, and companionship. In rural areas, the younger generation is also responsible for some financial needs of the elderly, including medical expenses and daily living costs. As their parents age, the younger generation needs to provide support in daily activities and medical care, including chronic disease management, medication procurement, and assistance with mobility. Legally, the younger generation needs to help manage the legal, financial, and daily affairs of their elderly parents, including reading healthcare information, insurance details, and estate planning. The challenges faced by the younger generation include balancing caregiving responsibilities with work obligations. This balancing act can create stress and burnout, especially for those who have to reduce work hours or take unpaid leave to provide care; they face even greater challenges. Economically, the younger generation must support aging parents while managing their finances, such as repaying mortgages, raising children, and saving for their health and retirement. The pressures of modern life, including high housing costs and education expenses, make the situation of elderly care even more complicated. In terms of emotional and physical stress, caregiving places a burden on the younger generation’s mental and physical health, leading to fatigue, depression, and other health issues. The emotional strain of aging parents and the demands of caregiving are particularly challenging. In reality, many young people find themselves unprepared for the complexity and difficulty of caring for their parents, from meeting medical needs to navigating complex social services and addressing strict legal issues. In the face of elderly individuals with dementia or disabilities, access to affordable healthcare services, elderly care facilities, and social support networks is limited by various factors, making it difficult for many families to find suitable caregivers, and some lack sufficient funds. Current solutions and support mechanisms include implementing supportive policies for caregivers, such as tax incentives, elderly care service subsidies, and pension reforms. In terms of work flexibility, employers can help employees balance work and caregiving through flexible work arrangements (such as remote work, part-time options, and caregiving leave). In terms of education and resources, providing support regarding elderly care, financial planning, and legal issues can help family members fulfill their caregiving roles. In terms of community and social services, expanding community and social services for the elderly, such as daycare centers, home health services, and social activities, can alleviate the caregiving burden on families. Encouraging the strengthening of community support networks can provide emotional and practical support for the elderly and their families. In terms of mental health support, providing psychological support for caregivers and the elderly, including counseling services, support groups, and stress management, is essential. In summary, the “post-80s,” “post-90s,” and some “post-00s” face significant economic, social, and work pressures in caring for aging parents, while also receiving strong support from families, communities, institutions, employers, and government policies.
2. “Aging and AI Technology Overlap”
In the face of significant aging pressures, developing AGI to alleviate the challenges that will arise in the future should be one of the options for achieving stable social development and sustained economic growth. Regarding the “one old and one young” issue, particular attention should be paid to the current “post-50s,” “post-60s,” and “post-70s,” as most of these generations are already retired or about to retire. They are precisely the generations who executed the one-child policy, and the provision of pension benefits, the establishment of elderly care service institutions, and the supply of service personnel directly relate to their quality of life, as well as the mental and physical health, family life, and work conditions of their children. In other words, it impacts whether the “post-80s,” “post-90s,” and some “post-00s” can focus on their work and enjoy a good family life. Looking towards 2035 and the mid-21st century, the “post-80s,” “post-90s,” and some “post-00s” are the core force driving the modernization of China. More importantly, these generations play a central role in the construction of Chinese-style modernization and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. They grew up during a period of unprecedented economic growth and rapid social change, which has shaped their thoughts, skills, and social roles. Their contributions to national development are diverse and significant, encompassing technological innovation, cultural prosperity, and social progress. Thus, the “post-50s,” “post-60s,” “post-70s,” and their children can be defined as a special group in the historical context, or they are at a critical historical juncture. The older generation is the main force behind reform and opening up, while the younger generation is the main force in the construction of Chinese-style modernization. Effectively addressing the elderly care issues of this historical juncture and the innovation and entrepreneurship issues of the younger generation requires targeted approaches and policies. Furthermore, the elderly care problems of the “post-50s,” “post-60s,” and “post-70s” and the dedication of their children to national construction directly relate to China’s high-quality development and modernization during this period. The living conditions of these two main force groups are key to the future of people’s livelihoods, and the historical responsibilities and missions require a profound understanding of their roles and the responsibilities and obligations they need to bear, providing them with social support. Combining these two aspects organically and harmoniously will alleviate the contradictions and issues during this special historical period, promoting the steady and far-reaching progress of Chinese-style modernization.
Furthermore, it should be noted that the “post-80s,” “post-90s,” and some “post-00s” are at the forefront of technological innovation and the digital economy in China. They grew up during the boom of the internet and are adept at leveraging technology, playing a key role in pushing China to become a global technological leader. Their entrepreneurial spirit has driven the rise of many competitive tech giants and startups on the global stage. The younger generation is also a participant in the modernization of Chinese culture. They are creating a new Chinese culture and civilization that combines traditional elements with modern and global influences, evident in music, film, literature, and fashion. Through social media and other platforms, they share Chinese culture with the world, enhancing China’s soft power. Their creativity in the cultural industry revitalizes traditional arts and crafts, expanding the boundaries of contemporary art and media. As active participants in China’s economy, society, culture, and technology, the “post-80s,” “post-90s,” and some “post-00s” are contributing to the sustained growth of the Chinese economy. They advocate and implement sustainable business practices, contributing to China’s green development goals. They promote fairness and justice, environmental protection, and governance reform to assist in the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, actively participating in social entrepreneurship and addressing social issues, reflecting their more inclusive attitude towards national development. The “post-80s,” “post-90s,” and some “post-00s” have more opportunities for higher education, including studying abroad, bringing a broader global perspective and professional knowledge to national development, serving as a bridge between China and the world, promoting international cooperation, innovation, and exchange. Their international perspective and educational background are crucial for China’s integration into the international community and for achieving the goals of building a modernized China with distinctive characteristics and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Despite facing challenges such as economic pressure, job market competitiveness, and social changes, these generations exhibit tremendous adaptability, using their creativity and flexibility to participate in transformation and upgrading, meeting the expectations of rapid development and society. In summary, the contributions of individuals born between 1950 and 1980 and their descendants play a vital role in shaping the future of the country. Their contributions influence China’s modernization and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through technology, culture, economy, society, and the global stage. The innovative spirit, global connectivity, and social responsibility of these generations will be key driving forces in China’s development transformation, and it is essential to pay close attention to their living and working conditions.
3. “Organizational Service Overlap”
The central government has proposed a series of measures to address the aging challenges faced by the nation, including policy reforms, community support, technological innovation, and family involvement. Given China’s unique national conditions, the state encourages active participation and coordinated cooperation among families, communities, and institutions. From the perspective of healthcare needs, the main issues facing the elderly are the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and the rising demand for long-term care, while the existing healthcare system faces numerous challenges in meeting the medical service needs of the elderly, with potential disparities in accessibility and quality. Currently, solutions to these issues include expanding healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, increasing the number of healthcare service personnel trained in elderly care, promoting healthy lifestyles, and reducing the incidence of chronic diseases. Regarding the pressure on the pension system, population aging places a heavy burden on pensions, and the reduction of the labor force poses challenges for supporting an increasing number of retirees. The main current solutions include diversifying pension fund investments, exploring sustainable financing models to ensure pension sustainability, promoting private savings, improving retirement planning, and gradually raising the retirement age. In terms of loneliness and social isolation, the main issue is that many elderly individuals feel lonely and socially isolated due to living alone, losing family and friends, or being distanced from children who work elsewhere. Current solutions include building community centers to provide social, recreational, and educational activities for the elderly, establishing elderly dining facilities, using internet technology to maintain contact with family and friends, implementing volunteer programs that connect young people with the elderly, and encouraging intergenerational support. In terms of housing and accessibility, many elderly individuals face challenges related to unsuitable living environments that do not meet their needs, including a lack of accessible safety features, which affects their independence and quality of life. Current solutions include promoting the development of accessible facilities, constructing elderly-friendly homes with safe designs, and renovating existing housing conditions, such as adding elevators, to meet the needs of the elderly. Effectively addressing the living needs of the elderly requires multifaceted approaches, involving policy innovation, social transformation, and leveraging technology to create a supportive ecosystem for the elderly. Governments, businesses, social organizations, communities, and families need to work together to ensure that the aging population can enjoy a high quality of life, receive adequate healthcare, financial security, and social engagement. Cultivating a societal attitude that values and respects the elderly is crucial for their well-being and the overall health of society. In response to the above issues, according to the requirements of the “National Aging Work Committee’s Notice on Issuing the Task Division Plan for Implementing the Opinions on Strengthening Aging Work in the New Era by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council,” home-based, community-based, and institutional elderly care will become the basic model for elderly care in the new development stage of China, “innovating the model of home and community elderly care service institutions or personnel. Based on home care, we will enhance the capacity of community elderly care service institutions or personnel through new construction, renovation, and leasing, focusing on developing a network of elderly care service institutions or personnel at both the street (town) and urban-rural community levels, relying on community development to provide diversified elderly care services or personnel based on home care.”
The aforementioned “triple overlap,” namely, “dual pressure overlap,” “aging and AI technology overlap,” and “organizational service overlap,” outlines the basic scenario of elderly care services in China and provides design ideas for the application and implementation of AI technology in the elderly care sector.
(2) The Role of AGI Technology in a High-Quality Elderly Care Service System
As the technology landscape evolves, policymakers continually assess the impact of artificial intelligence on the workforce and society as a whole, and the strategies and measures taken by the government will also keep pace. What role can artificial intelligence play in a society facing declining birth rates? Can it help people overcome the challenges brought by declining birth rates and ensure healthy social development? Can China address the aging issues brought about by population decline through large-scale development of artificial intelligence? The answer is affirmative.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can showcase various roles in a society facing declining birth rates. In terms of elderly care and support, AI-driven robots and assistive technologies can provide support to the elderly, assist them in their daily lives, monitor their health conditions, and provide companionship. The involvement of AI can alleviate the burden on family members and caregivers, enhancing the independence of the elderly population’s lives. In healthcare and medical diagnosis, AI can assist in medical diagnostics and drug development, provide personalized healthcare solutions, and help healthcare providers effectively manage the medical needs of the elderly population. In labor automation, as the labor force diminishes, AI can help the elderly handle repetitive tasks in daily life, compensating for the difficulties arising from labor shortages. In education and training, AI-driven personalized learning platforms can help train and improve the skills of caregivers in the elderly care sector, cultivating a large, skilled, and adaptable elderly care workforce. In social interaction and companionship, AI-driven social robots can provide companionship for the elderly, alleviating feelings of social isolation and loneliness. Currently, the Japanese government and the private sector are investing in AI and robotics technology to address the challenges posed by aging and declining birth rates, including developing elderly care robots, using AI in medical diagnostics, and exploring various AI services in nursing homes and hospitals. Learning from others’ experiences can benefit us. Relevant Chinese authorities have systematically promoted the development and use of AI and technology to address future challenges.
The challenges brought about by population aging and declining birth rates are common issues faced by China and many other countries. The development of AGI robots can provide valuable solutions to some of the demands and challenges associated with aging societies through various interaction modes (such as natural language processing, image processing, touch, and gestures). In terms of daily life assistance, AGI robots can offer help with cooking, cleaning, and personal care. For the elderly, especially those living independently, AGI robots can perform daily tasks that become increasingly difficult with age, enhancing the quality of life for the elderly and enabling them to maintain their independence for a longer time. In healthcare and medication management, AGI robots can play a crucial role, from monitoring vital signs to reminding the elderly to take their medications. By integrating sensors and utilizing data analysis, they can detect health issues early, alerting caregivers or medical professionals and reducing hospital visits and healthcare costs. In social interaction and companionship, AGI robots can provide companionship, engage in basic conversations, play games, and facilitate video calls with family and friends, reducing feelings of loneliness and maintaining the elderly’s mental health. In terms of mobility and physical support, robots can assist elderly individuals with limited mobility in moving around their homes or public spaces, enhancing their independence. In terms of safety monitoring, AGI robots with the capability to monitor environments and identify emergencies (such as falls) can alert caregivers or emergency services in the event of an accident or health emergency, ensuring the safety of the elderly. In terms of adaptability and personalization, AGI robots can be programmed and adjusted to meet the personalized needs of the elderly, providing support more effectively from the types of assistance offered to the modes of interaction with users. By playing a caregiving role, AGI robots can alleviate pressure on the healthcare system, reduce the burden on family members and professional caregivers, and lower healthcare costs, allowing more people to focus on participating in modernization efforts, resulting in more significant socio-economic benefits.
Despite the apparent benefits of AGI robots, there are still numerous challenges to consider, including the cost of AGI robot systems, technical support and maintenance requirements, ethical standards regarding privacy and autonomy, and how AGI robots can possess human-like contact and empathy.
3. AGI Large Models Adapted to High-Quality Elderly Care Service Needs
(1) Technical Performance of AGI Robots in High-Quality Elderly Care Services
One of the characteristics of high-quality elderly services is to simultaneously enhance both the material and spiritual quality of life for the elderly. In reality, some elderly individuals live with their children, but their children are busy with work and have little communication; some elderly individuals live far from their children or have no children at all. The entry of AGI robots into the lives of the elderly, allowing them to interact with multimodal robots, is a reluctant choice. The design standards for AGI robots require them to understand the elderly, comprehend their mindsets, and be able to read situations, forming communication and care methods suitable for the needs of the elderly. The “Notice of the State Council on Issuing the Planning for the Development of the National Aging Cause and Elderly Care Service System during the 14th Five-Year Plan” (Guo Fa [2021] No. 35) requires, “Continuously promote the aging-friendly transformation of internet websites and mobile internet applications, optimizing interface interaction, content reading, operation prompts, voice assistance, and other functions. Encourage enterprises to provide relevant applications with ‘care modes’ and ‘elderly modes,’ incorporating accessibility improvements into regular updates and maintenance. Support terminal device manufacturers, application product providers, and elderly care service institutions or personnel agencies to work together to promote functional connectivity between upstream and downstream. Driven by market forces, a batch of standards for the aging-friendly transformation of smart technologies should be introduced. Organize training for the elderly in using smart technologies through experiential learning, practical applications, experience sharing, and mutual assistance, guiding the elderly to understand new things, experience new technologies, and utilize new technologies.” When compiling the “14th Five-Year Plan” for elderly care services, artificial intelligence had not yet formed the rapidly developing situation it has today. Currently, the development of AGI is timely, and it is necessary to consider incorporating AI technology into the agenda of elderly care services.
When designing AGI robots, various factors need to be considered. First, ensuring the robots are safe, effective, and user-friendly is paramount. In terms of usability, the interface, controls, and interactions of robots should be intuitive and easy for the elderly to understand and operate, even if they are not technically savvy. AGI robots should possess natural language processing capabilities, allowing for direct operation through verbal dialogue. Additionally, AGI robots should have image recognition capabilities and other cognitive functions to facilitate communication and interaction with the elderly. Safety is the most crucial aspect for the elderly. Robots must be equipped with sensors and algorithms to detect and avoid obstacles, prevent falls, and navigate within the home without causing harm to users or themselves. In terms of physical design, AGI robots should be ergonomically designed, considering the physical limitations and mobility issues faced by the elderly. Robots should be designed in a humanoid shape (also referred to as “humanoid robots”), while being lightweight and easy to manipulate. Loneliness and social isolation are common social issues among the elderly, and AGI robots should be designed to engage in friendly conversations, provide companionship, and promote communication with loved ones. Conversational AI can offer social interaction for elderly individuals living alone, reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness. In the future, VisionPro+Sora will significantly enhance the social conditions of the elderly. AGI robots can provide companionship through engaging and meaningful conversations, sharing news, playing games, and even telling stories. AI technology can be designed to enable AGI robots to recognize emotional distress or changes in emotions, providing comforting words, engaging in uplifting activities, or reminding caregivers to pay attention to any abnormalities in the elderly. In terms of medication management, robots can remind users to take their medications and assist in medication dispensing at the appropriate times, communicating any issues encountered with medication with healthcare providers or family doctors, liberating the elderly from the routine of daily medication. AGI robots can assist in managing care plans, sending appointment reminders, and sharing updates with family members, helping coordinate care among multiple caregivers. By handling daily issues and interactions, AGI robots can provide caregivers with much-needed breaks, reducing caregiver burnout and stress. AGI robots help the elderly manage their daily schedules, reminding them of social activities and family gatherings, and providing memory support. AGI robots can offer quick and convenient access to information, answer questions, read news, provide weather updates, and even offer entertainment options without complex gadgets or interfaces. By leveraging humanoid AGI for health monitoring, linking various health check-ups, outpatient visits, and treatment records of the elderly, designing health monitoring functions such as measuring vital signs or detecting normal and abnormal movement patterns, AGI robots can alert caregivers, medical professionals, or family members in a timely manner, while also reminding the elderly. Conversational AI can remind the elderly to take medications at prescribed times, reducing the risk of missed doses and helping effectively manage health conditions. AI chatbots can provide preliminary health checks, offer advice for minor health issues, and suggest timely professional medical assistance, promoting early detection and intervention of health problems. AGI robots can propose healthy meal plans and simple exercise routines based on individual health conditions and physical abilities, continuously fostering healthier lifestyles. In this sense, AGI robots should be equipped with emergency response capabilities, enabling them to dial emergency numbers in case of accidents, falls, or health emergencies. The emergency alert features of AGI robots and voice control systems are vital, allowing the elderly to seek help even if they cannot make a phone call. They can directly notify designated contacts or emergency service agencies. AGI robot devices should be equipped with sensors to detect falls or abnormal inactivity, automatically sending alerts to family members or caregivers. It is essential to emphasize that, given the private nature of interactions with AGI robots in home settings and the confidentiality of the elderly’s medical history and health conditions, robust privacy protection measures must be established and improved to safeguard sensitive information and uphold user rights. Considering that each elderly individual has unique needs and preferences, designing customizable AGI robots that allow users to adjust settings according to their situations and preferences will facilitate personalized interactions between the elderly and AGI robots, meeting the comfort and living requirements of the elderly being served.
Cognitive decline is a common issue among the elderly, which is also a concern for family members and a frequent challenge for medical institutions. AGI robots can control home automation and integrate with smart home technologies, allowing the elderly to control lighting, thermostats, locks, and other devices through voice commands, enhancing their ability to live independently. AGI robots can provide educational content, language learning, and intellectual games aimed at helping the elderly keep their minds active and slow down cognitive decline. The design of AGI robots should adapt to different cognitive abilities, providing support in enhancing and maintaining memory capabilities in the elderly. AGI robots require regular maintenance and updates, continually iterating and upgrading, and the relevant technical support departments should always provide technical assistance to help the elderly resolve various issues encountered. As AGI robots increasingly participate in elderly care work, ethical factors such as the autonomy, dignity, and will of the elderly must be considered to ensure the quality of life and personal rights of users. Considering the financial situation of the elderly, the costs associated with designing AGI robots and related services should be reasonable, striving to ensure that more elderly individuals can benefit from AGI robots while allowing production companies to realize significant growth potential. In the initial stages of application, it is vital to consider the feedback from the elderly and iterate the technology accordingly, promptly collecting feedback from users and caregivers to improve and refine the design and functions of AGI robots. In terms of integration with healthcare professionals, if AGI robots need to work collaboratively with healthcare professionals, their design must ensure seamless integration with medical records, telehealth systems, and other healthcare technologies.
Designing AGI robots that cater to the needs of the elderly requires close collaboration among multiple disciplines and professions, including engineers, healthcare professionals, gerontology experts, user experience designers, ethicists, legal scholars, anthropologists, sociologists, and cultural scholars, among others. Only by considering various factors comprehensively can designers create AGI robots that enhance the quality of life for the elderly, promote independence, and be well-received by the elderly. In summary, AGI robots have a wide and continuously evolving role in elderly services, providing solutions that encompass nearly every aspect of the daily lives of the elderly. From strengthening safety and hygiene management to providing companionship and supporting the independence of the elderly, AGI robots will become an indispensable part of elderly care services.
Based on the functions defined above, AGI robots refer to technologies that enable machines to understand, process, and respond to human language in natural and meaningful ways, such as natural language processing, image processing, and others. These technologies underpin various AGI robot applications, providing information, assistance, and services to the elderly through conversational interfaces. Currently, many attempts have been made to assist the elderly, specifically in terms of natural language processing (NLP), which can understand spoken or written human language, recognize various language structures, colloquialisms, idioms, and even comprehend some errors or uncommon usages, which is particularly important for the elderly. Natural Language Understanding (NLU) goes beyond processing functions, enabling the understanding of the intent behind user information, such as “implications,” which will be one of the future functions of AGI robots, allowing them to accurately grasp context, emotions, and specific requests. Natural Language Generation (NLG) is akin to the ability to respond like a human, creating coherent and contextually relevant sentences that convey the required information or actions, understanding the context of time and place to achieve accurate communication. Machine learning and deep learning technologies allow AGI robots to learn from interactions, continuously improving their understanding and response capabilities over time based on patterns and feedback. Enhancing the ability of AGI robots to engage in dialogues involving multiple exchanges will allow them to ask follow-up questions without losing context. AGI robots should possess integration capabilities, allowing them to interface (API, Application Programming Interface) with various platforms, databases, and programs to retrieve information, execute tasks, and provide personalized responses based on user data. Second, the main types of AGI robots have emerged. Currently, some elderly service robots with relatively singular service functions have appeared, such as chatbots, which can engage in natural language-based dialogues with the elderly, typically used for conversation, information retrieval, and simple interactive tasks, akin to customer support robots on websites and virtual assistants in applications but at a higher level. Voice assistants and smart speakers are AI systems that can understand spoken language and respond verbally, which are already seen in smartphones and home assistant devices. Additionally, interactive voice response (IVR) systems, automated telephone systems that interact with callers, collect information, and route calls to the appropriate recipients using voice commands or keypad inputs, are also examples. For instance, the voice assistant in Amazon’s Alexa Echo device can play music, provide news, and control smart home devices through voice commands. Google Assistant can perform internet searches, manage schedules, send messages, and interact with smart home devices, available on smartphones and Google Home speaker devices. Apple Siri is integrated into Apple devices, capable of making calls, sending messages, setting reminders, providing directions, and answering questions using voice commands, among other functions. In summary, conversational AI encompasses a wide range of applications aimed at simulating human dialogue, from simple chatbots that handle user queries to complex voice assistants integrated into daily life. These technologies combine NLP, NLU, NLG, and machine learning to provide users with intuitive, efficient, and personalized ways to interact with machines, showcasing the continuous progress of artificial intelligence and its growing presence in enhancing user experiences across various fields, laying the foundation for the development of AGI robots.
(2) Integrating Spiritual Care into the Cognitive Mechanism of AGI Large Models
The elderly require both intelligent assistance and conscious support. Intelligence refers to the ability of humans to solve problems they face, while consciousness encompasses human feelings, such as pain, joy, love, and anger. For humans and other mammals, intelligence and consciousness complement each other. Entrepreneurs, drivers, teachers, and artists rely on their feelings to solve certain problems. AGI robots, however, solve these problems in a completely different manner, and it cannot yet be assumed that AGI robots will develop consciousness in the process of problem-solving. Over the past few decades, computer intelligence has made significant progress, but no advancements have been made in computer consciousness. Currently, in light of the rapid development of artificial intelligence, humans should invest equal amounts of funding and time to research and develop their own thoughts. Otherwise, humanity risks being dominated by a machine with superintelligence but no consciousness. These machines can surpass humans in any task, yet fail to incorporate experiences such as love, beauty, and joy. To effectively meet the daily living and emotional comfort needs of the elderly, AGI robots should possess a range of functions that provide both physical assistance and emotional support, embodying consciousness.
In the future, Apple Vision Pro and Sora will have the technological capability to reintegrate elderly individuals who have become detached from society and family, addressing the issues of social isolation faced by the elderly due to retirement and moving into care facilities. Apple Vision Pro, as a creative spatial computing device, seamlessly integrates digital content into the real world, allowing the elderly to connect with others in real-time, creating a boundless communication ecosystem that transcends the limitations of traditional displays, providing the elderly with a new 3D interaction experience using the most natural and intuitive input methods, such as eyes, hands, and voice, fulfilling the spiritual and emotional needs of the elderly. Of course, the current Apple Vision Pro is still somewhat cumbersome and needs further technical improvements to meet the needs of the elderly.
It is essential to recognize that the development process of AGI robot technology involves understanding the complexity and subtlety of social relationships between people, which general language models cannot comprehend or interpret. “In the most fundamental research of sociology on ‘social relationships,’ there are still many areas left blank that require exploration. Particularly in the part of ‘communication’ in interpersonal relationships, sociology has not clarified many aspects, such as the ‘implicit’ and ‘unspoken’ dimensions of communication, which are crucial parts of interpersonal relationships.” The concepts of “implicit” and “unspoken” are expressions of human meaning based on specific cultural, environmental, and experiential cognitive elements. For now, we can refer to this cognitive dimension as “tacit knowledge,” which differs from straightforward perception, and the knowledge produced from this is termed “tacit knowledge” in this article. Literature review shows that “tacit knowledge” has not been mentioned in general knowledge or any specific field, nor have any elderly care institutions or personnel specifically conducted experiments focusing on “tacit knowledge” in caregiving. However, many elderly care institutions or personnel, through daily interactions with the elderly, understand their service targets through “tacit knowledge,” gaining insights and improving service quality. In 1935, Fei Xiaotong and his wife Wang Tonghui conducted field research in the Dayao Mountains using this cognitive approach, stating, “In this realm of interpersonal communication characterized by ‘implicit understanding,’ Chinese culture inherently possesses certain preferences and advantages. The efforts of Chinese sociologists may achieve groundbreaking accomplishments in this regard; conversely, if this point is not surpassed, sociology will face significant deficiencies as an applied profession or a discipline of humanistic cultivation.” This insight was derived from Fei Xiaotong’s lifelong research in sociology and anthropology, and we refer to it as the “social relationship code.” Today, as humanity encounters the rise of AI, in-depth research into AI’s cognitive methods and knowledge production may provide perspectives for understanding “tacit knowledge” and “tacit knowledge,” offering crucial parameters for designing AGI robots that cater to the needs of the elderly.
Going deeper, human understanding of social relationships is based on individual knowledge, experiences, and environments. Individuals, starting from infancy, undergo socialization through various environments such as family, school, and society, continuously incorporating social norms and cultural practices, both explicit and implicit, into their inner worlds. The socialization and experiences of individuals form the foundation for their behavioral patterns, experiences, judgments, and cognitions, which also present challenges for AI in learning human nature. This process holds significant implications for the design and training of AGI, emphasizing the need to consider various life and cultural data inputs for AGI and to conduct diverse cultural type training. If AGI robots are applied to individuals, small models implanted in smartphones or tablets would have more practical value for individual cognition, benefiting market application scenarios and contributing to the expansion and strengthening of the artificial intelligence market. This leads to the adaptation of multimodal large models in various fields, including elderly care personnel, geriatric medical practitioners, and education.
(3) Core Technologies of AGI Robots Understanding Elderly Needs: “Tacit Knowledge” and “Implicit Knowledge”
Here, we envision a scenario in which an AGI robot with functions serving the elderly enters the homes, communities, or care institutions of elderly individuals, positioning itself as a service personnel acceptable to the elderly and engaging with them to acquire knowledge about their culture, customs, habits, and systems. Can these silicon-based assistants understand their service targets through their training and comprehend the culture of the community through their auditory, visual, tactile, gustatory, and olfactory senses, thereby forming knowledge recognized by carbon-based human scholars?
Considering the concepts of “tacit knowledge” and “implicit knowledge” related to AGI robots and their impact on enhancing the quality of elderly care, the development direction of contemporary elderly care institutions or personnel involves several key factors. First, integrating AGI tools. It can be anticipated that elderly care institutions or personnel will increasingly apply AGI robots in their work, utilizing them for data analysis, pattern recognition, and language processing, improving service efficiency, expanding the scale of service targets, and enhancing service quality. Collaboration between elderly care institutions or personnel and AGI robots, along with data science experts, will become more common and close. This cooperation will organically combine the insights and computational power of silicon-based elderly service assistants. As elderly care institutions explore the impact of AGI robots, digital technologies, and virtual environments on human society, silicon-based elderly service assistants will further develop. Second, through critical reflection on the roles of technology, AGI robots in elderly care institutions will undergo in-depth research on their roles in shaping human behavior, cultural customs, and social structures, studying both the positive and negative factors of technological advancements. Elderly care institutions or personnel will focus on understanding how the introduction of AGI robots affects cultural dynamics, power structures, and social relationships within families, communities, and institutions. Third, adapting to technological changes, elderly care institutions or personnel need to adjust their methods and means to keep pace with the evolving technological environment, closely tracking global trends in AGI development and considering how different societies and cultures accept AGI robots, engaging in comparative studies of the cultural impacts of AGI robots. Elderly care institutions or personnel should participate in global public discussions and educational activities to gain a broader understanding of the technological impacts of AGI robots, transforming complex concepts of AGI in elderly care into broader audience awareness and behavior.
4. The Underlying Technological Logic of AGI Robots Meeting Elderly Needs
The above analysis has explored the characteristics of elderly care organizations and the needs for elderly care services, which determine the data systems, model designs, parameter considerations, and infrastructure construction required for AGI robots. Integrating these factors will enable the design of AGI robots that meet the requirements of high-quality elderly care services.
(1) Structured Data and Unstructured Data
The design process of AGI robots to meet elderly needs should prioritize usability, safety, emotional connection, and adaptability to diverse needs of elderly users. Scientifically sound social goals must consider various social indicators and data collection; “Any quantifiable social indicator, the more it is applied to social decision-making, the greater the pressure of social corruption, and the more easily it distorts and erodes the social processes it aims to monitor.” Here, data is crucial. First, understanding users involves conducting in-depth and comprehensive research on the elderly, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to understand the specific needs, preferences, and challenges faced by the elderly population. Creating specific roles representing different age users, including varying levels of mobility, cognitive abilities, and technological proficiency, is essential. Second, technical specifications should combine voice recognition, touch screens, gesture control, and possibly facial expression recognition to ensure interactivity for users with different abilities and preferences. Designing robots with mobility (such as wheeled or walking robots, humanoid robots) and mechanical hands for physical tasks (e.g., picking up objects, opening doors) is vital. AGI robots should be equipped with sensors for navigation, interaction, and health monitoring (e.g., cameras, microphones, touch sensors, and environmental sensors) to perform physical tasks. Ensuring AGI robots can connect to the internet, home networks, and other devices (e.g., smartphones, medical devices) for communication and data exchange is necessary. Third, software and algorithms should be developed to understand natural language, recognize user commands and emotions, and learn from interactions to improve continuously over time. Algorithms that analyze sensor data can monitor vital health signs, detect falls, or identify emergencies, providing medication and appointment reminders. Fourth, user interface and experience should mainly focus on natural language processing and image processing, traditionally using large buttons, clear fonts, and audio feedback to ensure the interface is easy to navigate, suitable for users with varying visual, auditory, and motor skills. In the future, AGI robots can entirely rely on natural language interaction and image recognition. Users should be allowed to customize settings, preferences, and the types of interactions they wish to have with the robot. Establishing mechanisms for users to provide feedback and improvement suggestions regarding the robot’s performance is essential. Fifth, safety and compliance require AGI robots to have emergency stop buttons and safety mechanisms in case of failures, using soft materials to prevent injuries during interactions. Legally and ethically, AGI robots must comply with all relevant safety and privacy regulations and standards for medical and personal use devices. Sixth, testing and iteration require designers to engage extensively with elderly users and conduct repeated testing before AGI robots enter the lives of the elderly, collecting feedback to identify areas needing improvement. Utilizing feedback from the testing phase to refine designs should focus on usability, effectiveness, and user satisfaction.
The above needs determine that AGI robots serving the elderly will involve structured data and unstructured data, which are two fundamental data categories encountered in data processing, storage, and analysis. Understanding their commonalities and differences is crucial for effectively managing and extracting valuable information from data. The commonality between structured and unstructured data is that both require storage solutions, although the nature of these solutions differs significantly, such as databases for structured data and data lakes for unstructured data. Both types of data are used to collect feedback, support decision-making, and drive machine learning and AGI applications. The components of big data represent different types of analyzable data and the information that can be obtained. Both structured and unstructured data require some form of processing to function, whether querying structured data or labeling and classifying unstructured data. The difference between structured and unstructured data lies in their organization; structured data is highly organized, making it easy for machine languages to understand and analyze. Its formatting allows for simple, direct search engine algorithms or other search operations. It is typically stored in relational databases (RDBMS) and can be accessed using Structured Query Language (SQL). In daily life, data in database tables, Excel spreadsheets, and CSV files are organized into rows and columns with specific data types. Structured data has a predefined schema, meaning the structure of the data, including field names and data types, is defined before storing the data. Due to its organized format, structured data is easier to process, allowing for efficient queries, analysis, and narratives. In contrast, unstructured data lacks a specific form or structure, making it challenging to process and analyze using conventional database tools and algorithms. The previously mentioned “tacit knowledge” typically resides in non-relational databases, which differ from traditional relational database management systems (NoSQL) or data lakes where large volumes of diverse data types can be stored in their native formats. In daily life, text documents, emails, social media posts, videos, images, audio files, and web pages generally fall into this category. Unstructured data lacks a predefined structure, and its structure does not need to be defined before analysis or processing. Processing unstructured data requires more complex and advanced technologies, such as natural language processing (NLP), image recognition, and machine learning algorithms, which are precisely the functions AGI robots should possess. In summary, the primary distinction between structured and unstructured data lies in their format and the ease of analyzing them. In a data-driven world, both types of data are critical to comprehensive data analysis and decision-making processes. In the daily lives of the elderly in care institutions, AGI robots cannot avoid these data structures.
(2) Technical and Ethical Characteristics of Empathy Training for AGI Robots
Empathy is one of the core elements of elderly care services. Training AGI robots in empathy involves a comprehensive set of technical and ethical issues. In such an environment, empathy refers to the ability of AGI robots to understand and appropriately respond to the emotions and cultural nuances of the elderly. Therefore, it is essential to ensure the diversity of training datasets, covering a wide range of cultural backgrounds, emotional expressions, and communication styles. Combining emotional recognition models that analyze facial expressions, vocal tones, and other cues can enable the identification and understanding of the emotions of the elderly. This way, AGI robots can respond appropriately with empathy. The parameter design needs to ensure that AGI robots maintain cognitive coherence through various models. Cognitive continuity is crucial for understanding empathy, allowing AGI robots to interpret information in a nuanced manner. Second, implementing continuous learning and feedback mechanisms can enable AGI robots to adjust and improve their empathetic responses based on user interactions and evolving cultural dynamics. During the training process of AGI robots, the involvement and guidance of experts in sociology, anthropology, and social work can help refine the understanding and expression of empathy in AGI robots across various contexts. Third, establishing evaluation metrics for the empathetic capabilities of AGI robots involves assessing the accuracy of model emotion recognition, the appropriateness of responses to different social environments and cultural cues, and the overall effectiveness of conveying empathy. Ensuring transparency and explainability in the decision-making processes of AGI robots is essential. Users need to understand how AGI robots arrive at specific empathetic responses to enhance trust in AGI systems. Training AGI robots should focus on both technological improvements and the various complex social, cultural, and ethical factors.
This raises a deeper question that elderly individuals often contemplate: the issue of the spiritual world for people, including the elderly. Different cultures, religions, and personal beliefs have significant variations in their understanding of the concept of the “spiritual world.” Common elements often include spirituality, which many spiritual perspectives encompass, and the concept of an afterlife, where notions of heaven, hell, purgatory, or reincarnation frequently emerge, especially for elderly individuals approaching the end of life—a topic that cannot be avoided. Although current AI systems, such as ChatGPT, can process and analyze data related to human emotions, beliefs, and behaviors, they have limitations. In the design of AGI robots, the subjectivity and personal experiences of individuals need to be further emphasized, as the lack of personal consciousness and experience means that the “understanding” of AGI will fundamentally differ from human understanding in the foreseeable future.
(3) Infrastructure Development Approaching Data Sources
In daily life, the elderly face a series of urgent and unexpected problems, such as personal spiritual care, emotional communication, emergencies, health condition monitoring, and daily services. The daily lives of the elderly themselves represent a vast data source. AGI robots that approach data sources are an excellent technological element. The rapid development of personal computers has benefited from continuous innovations in silicon chips. Looking back in history, “Only after high technology perfected the ‘infrastructure’ did the PC industry emerge later.” The future development of technology requires the creation of AGI computing power and infrastructure suitable for personal applications, similar to how chips are manufactured. In other words, it is necessary to develop microservers and humanoid robots that can be installed on personal computers or smartphones, replacing some functions of current large computing centers. Companies like Qualcomm have already made attempts in this area, and such computing technologies are expected not only to benefit individuals but also to promote the marketization of AGI, bringing greater profits to companies while providing more convenience to individuals. Making AGI computing and infrastructure more suitable for personal use aligns with the principles of edge AI, reducing the pressure and inconvenience caused by centralized processing. Some trends and considerations related to this idea include possibilities. As mentioned, some companies, not just one, are already developing dedicated AI processing units for edge devices. These units are designed to execute AI computations locally on personal computers, smartphones, and IoT devices. The development of embedded AGI chips for personal use is an urgent need in society and the market. These chips are intended to provide efficient AGI processing capabilities while meeting the power and size requirements for personal devices. Smartphones equipped with dedicated AGI accelerators can efficiently perform machine learning tasks. As such infrastructure develops, it will become more prevalent and powerful, enabling advanced AGI facilities to be loaded onto mobile devices. Microservers or edge servers are compactly designed and energy-efficient, suitable for deployment in edge intelligent scenarios, facilitating local processing of AGI robot tasks without relying on centralized servers, which will be a boon for elderly individuals living independently at home. Currently, despite GPUs being widely used for AI computations, research continues to develop alternative hardware architectures more suitable for edge operations, including TPUs (Tensor Processing Units) and other new technologies. Second, edge training involves conducting AGI capability training on devices, even on a small scale, which deserves significant attention. This enables personal devices to adapt and learn from user interactions without relying on cloud-based training. Currently, research is underway to develop low-power AI training algorithms and hardware, making it possible to train models on devices with limited power resources. Third, energy support. The focus of future AGI processor technology development will be on energy efficiency, ensuring that AGI computations on personal devices do not significantly depend on battery life. Edge devices require robust connectivity to interact with cloud services when needed. The development of 5G (and the upcoming 6G) and subsequent connectivity technologies will play a key role in supporting these communication needs. Currently, there are still many challenges in the development of edge devices, including power consumption limitations and the need for efficient algorithms. However, the overall trend is to realize more AGI functions at the edge, allowing personal devices to handle complex AGI tasks without extensive reliance on external servers or GPUs. It is anticipated that by 2024 or 2025, humanity will witness the arrival of this moment.
Considering the broad implications of AGI advancements, attention should be paid to data analysis and pattern recognition. AGI possesses the ability to analyze vast amounts of data and recognize patterns, which can assist elderly care institutions or personnel in processing and interpreting large datasets, strengthening analytical capabilities. By leveraging AGI to analyze big data, elderly care institutions or personnel can develop new management models based on cultural traits, development trends, social behaviors, and interactions on a larger scale. AGI robots can automate certain tasks to assist elderly individuals in their daily lives, enabling elderly care institutions or personnel to focus on more nuanced aspects of their work, propose innovative solutions, and achieve the goals of high-quality elderly service development.
5. Conclusion: Committing to Responsible and Ethically Compliant Development of AGI Robots for Elderly Care Services
Further discussion is needed on improving human-computer interaction in elderly care services. In the future, as artificial intelligence robots replace most physical labor, and general AGI partially replaces mental and emotional labor, the landscape of knowledge production and social relationships will inevitably undergo significant changes. The first aspect is the transformation of skill demands. With the automation of conventional work and manual tasks, the demand for skills related to assistive automation will naturally increase, such as creativity, critical thinking, emotional communication, social interaction, and problem-solving abilities, allowing humans to focus on jobs that require specific qualities. Collaboration between humans and AGI systems will become increasingly common. Humans will leverage AGI tools for data analysis, decision support, and driving automation, creating a synergy between human creativity and machine efficiency. As the nature of work changes, workforce skill enhancement and retraining will become increasingly important. Continuous learning and adaptability will be decisive conditions for individuals to maintain competitiveness amid changes. The second aspect is that AGI can support and assist knowledge production. AGI systems can help humans produce knowledge by analyzing large datasets, identifying different patterns, and playing a vital role in knowledge innovation and accumulation. Researchers and professionals can use AGI tools to accelerate information synthesis and the production of new knowledge. The rise of AGI has sparked ethical discussions concerning job transitions, social equity, and the responsible use of technology, with key issues focusing on ensuring a smooth and equitable transition from traditional industries to new industries, addressing biases within AGI systems, and formulating AGI-friendly policies with widespread impacts on the human community. AGI enhances human capabilities but should not entirely replace humans; it merely augments human intelligence. Augmented intelligence refers to the combination of human and AGI strengths to help humans improve decision-making systems, enhance decision-making capabilities, and execute repetitive tasks. During this transformation, a significant number of new job positions will emerge, including supervising and managing AGI systems, designing AGI solutions, and providing services utilizing AGI skills. The third aspect is enhancing productivity and innovation capabilities. Automation and AGI will significantly boost productivity and innovation. The changes brought about by AGI-based work and the integration of AGI will have profound social and cultural impacts. In navigating this future trend, proactive explorations in education, public policy, and workforce development are necessary to ensure stable economic and social development while preparing to address challenges while reaping the benefits brought by advanced technology. “To clarify our position in this world, our focus may need to shift from ‘human rationality-centered’ to ‘human dignity and autonomy-centered,’ seeking a balance between machine intelligence and human skills and values, which are the foundations for shaping a prosperous coexistence between AGI robots and carbon-based humans in the future.”
While the complete integration of AGI with carbon-based humans is an ideal goal, certain fundamental principles must be upheld. First, establishing and improving relevant ethical frameworks to guide the development and deployment of AGI is essential. Ethical considerations should include transparency, fairness, accountability, and the protection of human rights. Adhering to human-centered and user-centered model designs in constructing a high-quality elderly care service system, AGI robots should be designed with the elderly at the center, fully considering their diverse needs, preferences, and cultural backgrounds, actively listening to their voices, and incorporating them into technology and model development. Prioritizing the security and privacy of elderly user data, implementing robust measures to protect sensitive information, and ensuring user trust in AGI systems are paramount. Training AGI robots to be culturally sensitive involves considering the diversity of human cultures and adjusting their behaviors and communication methods accordingly. Developing mechanisms for continuous learning will enable AGI robots to adapt to the evolving dynamics of society, community, human preferences, and cultural environments. Second, continuously enhancing the capabilities of AGI robots will help them understand and respond to the various communication modes and interaction needs of the elderly, including text, voice, images, and possibly other forms of non-verbal communication. Developing emotionally intelligent AGI systems will enable them to recognize various human emotions and respond appropriately, including the ability to understand and express empathy. Creating an atmosphere for human-AGI collaboration involves designing AI systems that enhance human capabilities and support collaborative decision-making. Designing AI systems that individuals can use with varying capabilities is essential. Achieving complete human-machine integration remains challenging in the current environment and may even lead to ethical controversies, resulting in social issues. Third, ensuring transparency and explainability is crucial to enhance the transparency of the decision-making processes of artificial intelligence and improve their interpretability. It is essential to comply with existing and new laws and regulations related to artificial intelligence development, ensuring that AI systems meet legal and ethical standards. All collected data must be securely stored and processed, with clear usage permissions established. Designing AGI robots for the elderly should respect their dignity and autonomy, including the ability to opt-out of certain functionalities or monitoring. AGI systems equipped with these features can not only improve the physical health of the elderly but also significantly enhance their emotional well-being and overall quality of life. Importantly, advancements in AGI technology must be combined with ethical considerations and a human-centered approach to genuinely benefit the aging population.
The primary purpose of designing AGI robots is to supplement the shortage of elderly care personnel rather than replace human caregivers. Encouraging human-machine interaction and supporting connections between AGI robots and families and communities is essential. Comprehensive training should be provided to both the elderly and caregivers on how to interact with and maintain AGI robots. Research institutions should offer ongoing support and maintenance services to address any issues that may arise and update AGI software over time to enhance functionalities. Designing AGI for the elderly is a complex process that requires attention to detail.
In the future, while AGI has the potential to alleviate issues arising from declining birth rates, it is not a panacea. Implementing AGI solutions requires careful consideration of ethical, cultural, and social impacts. Furthermore, AGI cannot fully replace the benefits brought by a diverse and vibrant population. Strategies to address declining birth rates need to adopt multifaceted approaches, including social policies, family support, and economic incentives. Overall, AGI can serve as a technological tool to address declining birth rates during specific periods, but it should be integrated into broader strategic considerations. The “Opinions of the State Council on Developing the Silver Economy to Enhance the Well-Being of the Elderly” (Guo Ban Fa [2024] No. 1) requires, “Improving the directory of smart health elderly care products and services, promoting the integration of new-generation information technology, mobile terminals, wearable devices, service robots, and other smart equipment in home, community, and institutional elderly care scenarios, developing smart products for health management, elderly monitoring, and psychological comfort, and promoting the application of smart care robots, household service robots, smart anti-lost terminals, and other smart devices. Encouraging the use of technologies such as virtual reality to conduct demonstrations and experiences of elderly products and services.” This provides direction for the new era of developing AGI robots to serve the aging cause.
In summary, the development of AGI brings infinite imagination to humanity, especially with the enhancement of various infrastructures (CPU, GPU, TPU) and the strengthening of large model development and related training. AGI will better develop various human skills and even surpass humans in certain fields, while inevitably falling short in others. “A new type of interpersonal partnership is beginning to emerge: first, humans define a problem or goal for machines; then, machines operate in areas beyond human reach, determining the optimal processes to pursue. Once machines bring a process into a domain known to humans, we can attempt to study it, understand it, and ideally integrate it into current practices.” These issues require in-depth research and contemplation. Of course, the emergence of AGI primarily impacts people’s work and lives. Understanding the depth and height of AGI’s application in human society, recognizing the various difficulties and challenges faced by AGI, is crucial for understanding the tremendous development, opportunities, and challenges of our times. It is not a scientific attitude to simplistically consider that AGI will replace everything or that it will completely disrupt the socio-economic landscape. People need not worry that “artificial intelligence will not become a master that enslaves us all, but rather another useful function of the technological infrastructure that serves our daily lives.” A scientific attitude should involve collaboration among AGI scientists, engineers, anthropologists, sociologists, legal scholars, social security experts, elderly care institution staff, and management departments to deeply understand the characteristics and laws of human social development and human nature. The best approach is for AI scientists and engineers to engage in dialogue with philosophers, social scientists, and humanists on common issues, developing AGI elderly care robots to address the challenges of aging and declining birth rates at a critical juncture for human development, finding more feasible pathways and choices for AGI development, and promoting the high-quality development of the social security system and elderly care institutions. In the face of future challenges, people will have many choices. To maximize the role of robots in elderly care, governments and relevant departments need to invest in research and development, establish safety and privacy standards, and build infrastructure for using AGI, including training caregivers and users, among others. It is crucial to recognize that artificial intelligence “connects everything through digital technology, with new market structures and business models emerging, reshaping society.” Overall, AGI robots have significant potential to alleviate the challenges posed by China’s aging population and declining birth rates, and realizing this potential requires collaborative exploration by policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders.