Yongin Special City Tackles Social Isolation with High-Tech Care
Yongin Special City, under the leadership of Mayor Lee Sang-il, is making significant strides in public welfare by utilizing artificial intelligence (AI). Their recently launched program, known as the “AI Anbu Care Service,” serves as an all-encompassing safety network for individuals living alone who may be at higher risk of social isolation.
Since July of the previous year, this initiative has been put into motion through a partnership with Korea Electric Power Corporation, SK Telecom, and the Happy Connect Foundation. Approximately 200 households have currently adopted the service. Prospective participants are identified through surveys conducted by the administrative welfare centers in their respective regions and by reports from residents. After ensuring their willingness to participate, the services are provided without the need for installing special equipment in their homes.
Emergency signals such as a lack of power and telecommunications activity are monitored and processed through care applications, triggering an automated phone call to check in with the individuals. If there’s no response, a second-tier check is conducted by city monitoring staff. Should this effort fail to elicit a response as well, the team makes a direct visit to the residence.
Between January and March, 194 instances of potential danger were detected, leading to 116 second-tier checks and four actual visits to homes. A city official reiterated the growing necessity for welfare services to enhance the sense of community for one-person households, especially among vulnerable groups. By incorporating smart technologies such as the AI system, the aim is to significantly advance the level of welfare services provided.
Key Questions and Answers:
1. What is the AI Anbu Care Service?
The AI Anbu Care Service is a program launched by Yongin Special City that utilizes AI to monitor and provide welfare checks for individuals living alone who are at risk of social isolation. The service automatically monitors signs of inactivity through utilities and telecommunications data to prompt welfare checks.
2. How are individuals selected for the AI Anbu Care Service?
Individuals are identified through surveys conducted by administrative welfare centers and reports from other residents. Their willingness to participate is confirmed before they are enrolled in the service.
3. How does the AI Anbu Care Service respond to emergency signals?
When the system detects a lack of activities suggesting potential emergencies, it initiates an automated phone call to the individual. If there is no response, city monitoring staff conduct a second-tier check, and if necessary, a direct visit to the individual’s home is made.
Key Challenges or Controversies:
Privacy Concerns:
Although not explicitly mentioned, one potential controversy is the privacy concern associated with monitoring individuals at home. Proper measures must be in place to ensure that the data collected is secure and used ethically.
Technology Limitations:
There may be limitations to the AI’s ability to accurately read situations, leading to false alarms or failing to detect genuine emergencies. The reliability of the system is crucial to gain trust from the users and the community.
Dependence on Technology:
A potential challenge is the reliance on technology in sensitive areas of social service. While AI can provide valuable support, it should not completely replace human interaction, particularly for the vulnerable groups at risk of social isolation.
Advantages:
Proactive Welfare Checks:
The AI system can detect potential issues earlier than regular welfare checks might, leading to prompt interventions and potentially saving lives.
Scalability:
AI systems can monitor many people at once, making the solution scalable for larger communities or cities.
Cost Efficiency:
Automating welfare checks can reduce personnel costs and allocate resources more efficiently.
Disadvantages:
Technical Failures:
The system is dependent on power and telecommunications, and technical failures could lead to missed emergencies.
Erosion of Personal Touch:
Excessive dependence on technology might lead to a decrease in face-to-face welfare services, which can be critical for emotional and psychological support.
Costs of Implementation:
Initial setup and maintenance of a sophisticated AI system may pose significant costs.
To explore more about the use of AI in public welfare, you may visit:
– SK Telecom
– Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO)
– Happy Connect Foundation
These links provide information about some of the organizations involved in AI and welfare initiatives in South Korea but may not have specific information on the Yongin Special City’s AI Anbu Care Service. Always ensure to check for the latest updates and details provided by official sources and publications for the most accurate information.
The source of the article is from the blog be3.sk