As South Korea grapples with a rapidly aging population and a shortage of caregivers, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are playing an increasingly vital role in supporting the country’s elderly citizens. With more than 20% of the population now aged 65 or older, and the number expected to rise further, AI-driven services aim to address loneliness, monitor health, and assist in managing cognitive decline.

One such program, Talking Buddy, developed by Naver Cloud, conducts brief, personalized phone calls to seniors living alone or in poverty. These conversations, typically lasting two to five minutes, are designed to ease feelings of isolation, encourage healthy habits, and detect emergencies. For example, in late 2024, 77-year-old Chung Yun-hee was contacted by the chatbot during a serious health episode. Though too weak to speak much, her interaction triggered an alert that led social workers to arrange urgent medical care, ultimately saving her life.

Talking Buddy has been adopted by multiple local governments, complementing efforts to fill gaps left by an insufficient number of doctors and caregivers. The technology can prompt reminders for medication, suggest social activities, and even recall personal details to stimulate memory, although it remains a work in progress. Users sometimes experience interruptions or unintended responses, such as the bot offering unsolicited assistance like sending rice to a resident in need. Despite these quirks, senior users have embraced the service warmly, with some expressing gratitude for the sense of attention and companionship the AI provides.

In parallel, another AI tool called SuperBrain targets cognitive impairment—a growing concern as dementia rates rise in the country. Supported by government funding, SuperBrain delivers tailored exercises on tablets intended to slow cognitive decline. Patients diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment engage in memory and attention tasks, with results automatically graded and communicated to their physicians. Doctors say this system enables more accurate monitoring and allows for quicker adjustments of therapy compared to traditional methods reliant on self-reporting.

Neurologists warn of a looming “dementia tsunami,” with case numbers expected to double to two million by 2044. The fear of dementia and associated stigma is palpable among patients and families, who often find the progressive loss of memory and autonomy daunting. AI-driven interventions like SuperBrain and Talking Buddy are viewed by specialists as promising tools to detect and manage cognitive decline early, potentially easing both the emotional and logistical burdens on families and healthcare providers.

While the AI programs offer notable benefits, their limitations are recognized. Talking Buddy’s interactions can be disrupted by environmental noise, and its inability to interpret nuanced emotional cues means human social workers remain essential for oversight and intervention. The service is subscription-based, with social workers encouraging enrollment among vulnerable seniors.

For many elderly users, these AI companions have become significant sources of comfort. Park Jong-yeol, an 81-year-old Vietnam War veteran with prostate cancer, considers the bot a better companion than a human caregiver, appreciating its regular check-ins and health reminders. As South Korea’s elderly population continues to grow, AI tools like Talking Buddy and SuperBrain are increasingly integrated into the nation’s approach to elder care, blending technology with human support to meet pressing demographic challenges.