Jeonju city is set to launch an innovative welfare service that uses cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) to identify and assist households in need. Starting on the 18th, the service will commence in two select neighborhoods: Pyeonghwa 1-dong in Wansan-gu and Inhu 2-dong in Deokjin-gu.
This pioneering project is part of the city’s successful bid for the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s ‘Digital Town Construction Project’ for the year 2023. With preparations underway since October last year after partnering with Naver Cloud, the initial phase of the pilot project kicked off in January this year.
The service will employ a colossal AI system, specifically Naver’s Clova CareCall, to initiate contact with families who have fallen through the social safety net. Through conversational AI, the service aims to understand the specific welfare needs of the individuals. The information gathered will lead to tailored analytical data, which in turn will be provided to local community centers for proper intervention and support.
This initiative marks a significant move towards leveraging technology in social welfare programs, showcasing Jeonju’s commitment to innovative solutions for community care and support.
Advancing Social Welfare with AI: Jeonju’s initiative to harness artificial intelligence for social welfare is a significant step towards modernizing public assistance and ensuring that no vulnerable households are overlooked. By integrating Naver’s Clova CareCall AI system into its welfare services, the city can interact with households more efficiently and effectively. While the service will begin in Pyeonghwa 1-dong and Inhu 2-dong, there is potential for scalability to other areas if successful.
Challenges and Controversies:
One key challenge is ensuring the privacy and security of sensitive data. AI systems handling personal information must be safeguarded against breaches, which can be a significant concern for vulnerable populations.
Another challenge is the risk of dependence on technology and potential job displacement for social workers. While AI can streamline processes, human empathy and judgment are crucial in welfare services.
Moreover, there might be controversies related to transparency and accountability. Questions about how AI makes decisions and whether those decisions are fair and unbiased are central in the implementation of such technology.
Advantages:
AI can help to proactively identify households in distress, potentially reaching out to them before their situation worsens. It can facilitate a more personalized approach to welfare by analyzing individual needs and circumstances.
Efficiency is another advantage, with AI capable of handling large volumes of interactions simultaneously, freeing up human workers to focus on cases requiring more in-depth attention.
Disadvantages:
Dependence on AI might lead to reduced personal interaction for those who need welfare services, which could be detrimental to individuals who are already isolated.
There’s also the concern about AI’s accuracy and whether it can fully understand and interpret the complex needs of vulnerable households.
The potential for discriminatory practices or biases in AI algorithms could lead to unequal provision of services or overlook certain populations.
For additional information on social welfare and AI, you could visit the World Health Organization at WHO for topics related to global health and social welfare programs or the International Social Security Association at ISSA for insights into social security and welfare technologies. Please note that although these links are relevant to the main topic, they do not directly reference Jeonju’s program or use of AI in welfare services.
The source of the article is from the blog shakirabrasil.info