AI Applications to Reduce Loneliness Among Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Effectiveness and Technologies

A systematic search was conducted across eight electronic databases, including PubMed and Web of Science, for studies published up to 31 January 2024. Inclusion criteria were experimental studies involving AI applications to mitigate loneliness among adults aged 55 and older. Data on participant demographics, intervention characteristics, AI methodologies, and effectiveness outcomes were extracted and synthesized.

Nine studies were included, comprising six randomized controlled trials and three pre–post designs. The most frequently implemented AI technologies included speech recognition (n = 6) and emotion recognition and simulation (n = 5). Intervention types varied, with six studies employing social robots, two utilizing personal voice assistants, and one using a digital human facilitator. Six studies reported significant reductions in loneliness, particularly those utilizing social robots, which demonstrated emotional engagement and personalized interactions. Three studies reported non-significant effects, often due to shorter intervention durations or limited interaction frequencies.