An industry targeting Australia’s aging population is growing, but can AI bring more humanity to aged care?

“You never get rid of people,” says Prof. Wendy Moyle during a discussion about robots and other technologies in nursing homes and residential homes.

Then, a moment later, she adds, “Well, I don’t think We’re going to get rid of the people.”

Moyle leads the Social Robotics Laboratory at Griffith University in Queensland. Their vision is technology that helps people stay at home or allows residential care workers to have a more human connection with residents. Support people instead of replacing them.

But artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics technology are developing rapidly. Moyle points to a “virtual hospital” already in operation in China.

She says that while her job makes her obviously a fan of technology, engineers often push forward their inventions without including healthcare professionals and the people who will ultimately use them.

One example she points to is a machine that can lift people out of bed, off the floor, or out of a…