Good morning future-focused leaders. Thank you for being part of this journey from the very beginning! This newsletter is dedicated to keeping you informed about the latest AI advancements shaping the future of ageing and aged care. Whether you’re an aged care professional, a policymaker, or a tech innovator, our goal is to provide you with clear, relevant, and insightful updates that empower you to navigate this evolving landscape.

At AgeFriendly.AI, we focus on accessible, ethical, and practical technology that enhances human care. If you find this newsletter valuable, share it with your team so they can subscribe too.

We’re excited to continue this conversation with you every Tuesday morning—let’s dive into what’s new in AI and ageing!

This week: 

• Perplexity AI (and ChatGPT) launched Deep Research

• A new AI guide helps professionals craft better prompts

• AI companion "Kathy" improved well-being for dementia care residents 

• New dexterous robots can assist with daily chores

• And more...

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READY TO USE TODAY

📚 Perplexity launched "Deep Research" for AI-Powered Analysis

In brief: Perplexity AI has introduced Deep Research, a new tool that conducts in-depth research and compiles structured reports. It searches and analyses hundreds of sources, delivering insights that would typically take hours to gather.

The details:

• Deep Research is free, with unlimited access for Pro subscribers.

• The search may take a little longer as the tool searches, evaluates, and summarises findings into structured reports.

• Combine this tool with Perplexity’s Academic option (also free) for customised in-depth reports that are based solely on research papers. 

• Reports can be exported as PDFs or shared via Perplexity Pages.

Just In: In a last-minute update, ChatGPT also rolled out a “Deep Research” option just hours before this newsletter went out.

Why it matters: Aged care businesses and professionals can use Deep Research to quickly analyse industry trends, business strategies, care innovations, and policy updates, saving hours of manual research. This allows for better decision-making, compliance, and needs assessments. Find out more about Deep Research and access Perplexity here. 

READY TO USE TODAY 

📖 Mastering AI Prompts in Aged Care

In brief: We have just developed a new reference guide to help aged care professionals craft better AI prompts for more accurate and relevant responses.

The details:

• AI supports workforce planning, training, and client communication in aged care.

• How to Write Better AI Prompts for Aged Care Professionals introduces eight key strategies to refine AI interactions.

• Tips include defining the audience, setting the right tone, using clear examples, and making iterative refinements.

Why it matters: Well-structured prompts lead to more effective AI-generated content, enhancing care planning, education, and policy development.

📥 View the reference guide online or download the PDF here.

ON THE HORIZON

🧠 AI companions for people living with dementia

In brief: A pilot study in the US has shown that AI companions can improve emotional well-being and care outcomes for residents with dementia.

The details:

• Pacific Living Centers and CloudMind tested "Kathy," an AI companion, in six memory care communities.

• Over 65 days, 18 residents interacted with Kathy, averaging 47.8 minutes of engagement per day.

• Kathy used sentiment analysis to detect emotional states and provided caregivers with real-time insights.

• Residents like Carrie (who experienced reduced anxiety) and Barbara (who re-engaged socially) demonstrated the AI’s impact.

• AI-assisted reporting helped caregivers personalise care and alerted them to potential health concerns.

Why it matters: Memory care is a complex task. By reducing caregiver strain and improving resident engagement, this technology has the potential to reshape dementia care. However, ethical considerations like data privacy and overreliance on AI must be carefully managed as adoption grows.

THE FUTURE OF AGED CARE

🌍 AI models tailored for different cultures

In brief: A French AI company, Mistral, has developed a language model designed especially for Middle Eastern and South Asian communities, improving how AI understands specific cultures and nuanced linguistics.

The details:

• The model, called Saba, supports both Arabic and South Indian-origin languages like Tamil and Malayalam, addressing cross-regional linguistic and cultural needs.

• It’s built to be faster and more cost-efficient than larger AI systems.

• Saba focuses on conversational AI, making interactions smoother and more culturally appropriate.

Why it matters: Language-specific models like Saba could help improve access to health information, enable better AI-powered translation, and support aged care providers working with non-English speaking residents. As AI continues to localise, expect better options for multilingual support in aged care settings to be developed soon.

THE FUTURE OF AGED CARE

🤖 Robots able to help with daily tasks

In brief: Over the last two weeks, two separate AI robotics companies introduced humanoid robots that understand and respond to natural language commands, making them more useful for everyday tasks. In this video, two Helix robots work together to put away groceries neither robot has ever seen before. And on this page, you can see Neo vacuuming floors.

The details:

• Robots can move their arms, hands, and fingers with precision to handle objects.

• They can recognise and handle items they’ve never seen before.

• They can perform a series of house chores.

• The system runs on low-power computers, making real-world use possible.

Why it matters: As people seek to stay independent at home for longer, AI-powered robots like Helix and Neo could help with tasks like organising groceries, tidying up, or even assisting with daily routines like helping the older person get dressed.

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📅 Innovation Transforming Aged Care – The ITAC 2025 Conference is happening in Melbourne later this month. Explore groundbreaking technologies, bold strategies, and actionable insights shaping the future of aged care. You may register here.

🗣️ Rethinking AI in Marketing – Business consultant Amaryllis Liampoti presents three foundational principles for how brands can harness AI to build deeper emotional connections with consumers while prioritising well-being, transparency and ethical responsibility. 

🔒 Australian Government AI Privacy Guidance – Late last year, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner issued guidance on privacy and the use of commercially available AI products. This is targeted to businesses and organisations (including those in aged care) that use commercially available AI products. 

🤖 Should AI Act Human? – A new study by the AI Security Institute surveyed UK residents on AI’s human-like behaviours. People want AI to be transparent about being non-human, avoid expressing emotions, and steer clear of personal relationships. However, many are comfortable with AI sounding natural in conversation. 

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LISTEN NOW

🎙️ Digital Success in Aged Care - Episode #2 in the AI in Aged Care Series

Sharon Paulson, Head of Digital Workplace Services at ECH Inc. (SA), shares practical steps for digital transformation in aged care. She covers overcoming tech resistance, choosing the right tools, and supporting staff through change. Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.