Michael Doneman on the role of AI in Elderhood

Right now, generative AI and education is a contentious issue, as schools and universities scramble to adapt their assessment processes to the growing use of tools such Chat GPT by students.

But not everyone in education is looking at this technology as a threat, especially when it comes to assisting older people in maintaining their cognitive function and helping them to thrive in elder hood through continuous, lifelong learning.

Michael Doneman is working on his PhD at RMIT’s School of Communications and Design. His study is focussed on the use and impact of artificial intelligence amongst aging populations, specifically looking at the role of AI-enabled digital avatars in helping older people learn, flourish and ultimately age well in place.

In our conversation, Michael discusses how quickly older people move past the fear of this new technology once they understand the application and ultimately embrace its potential.

In this episode of the Business of Ageing we will be diving into the “Future Now” world of AI, what it is, where it’s going and look at the incredible opportunities that this technology can bring to older Australians once you cut through the media-fuelled noise that the mere mention of AI seems to bring.

The Business of Ageing podcast has been produced by Shaun Alexander at Pluss Communities

Michael Doneman is a PhD student at RMIT University at the founder of Edgeware Creative Entrepreneurship