Expertise, significantly synthetic intelligence, can rework the challenges of an getting old inhabitants into alternatives for innovation and progress, in response to Guo Zhe, director of the China Science and Expertise Museum.
“The present wave of technological transformation, led by AI, is introducing vital uncertainties. This shift impacts not solely the financial and industrial sectors but in addition each facet of our day by day lives,”Guo mentioned.
“China has a big inhabitants base that’s getting old earlier than turning into rich. This demographic shift impacts shopper conduct and financial potential,” he added.
China’s inhabitants aged 65 and above was 220.23 million, making up 15.6 % of the entire inhabitants, in response to the 2024 Nationwide Report on Getting old Growth launched by the central authorities. That quantity was 139.02 million, accounting for 10.1 % of the entire inhabitants a decade earlier in 2014.
China has immense potential for age-friendly expertise purposes, in response to Guo. Though the trade has been paying extra consideration to this space in recent times, there’s nonetheless a major hole within the innovation and growth of those applied sciences, he mentioned.
“It is not nearly upgrading present services. It is about prioritizing the wants of the aged.”
Present designs for structure, furnishings and gear are historically common, not contemplating age variations. Given these demographic modifications, a scientific redesign will seemingly be wanted throughout the subsequent decade, the director mentioned.
This transformation is not nearly expertise for the aged, it impacts everybody, he mentioned.
“We’re all going through the problem of coexisting with machines on this new period. Developments like humanoid robots usually are not nearly mimicking human bodily buildings. They’re evolving into entities able to emotional companionship and fundamental communication,” mentioned Guo.
Sooner or later, machines might acquire the power to speak and develop fundamental consciousness by means of deep studying, he added.
“This may rework our notion of feelings and the way we fulfill innate wants, providing new methods to deal with points like loneliness among the many aged. These technological developments will reshape our dwelling areas and social interactions.
“As expertise reshapes our social areas, we’re getting into what some describe because the compressed period. Adjustments that when took centuries are actually taking place inside years and even months, bringing each uncertainty and a way of urgency,”Guo mentioned.
Future traits are reshaping the understanding of getting old and organic boundaries.
Historically, ages like 65 or 70 marked getting old, however with developments in genetic expertise and AI, that is altering. As gene sequencing turns into cheaper and extra superior, breakthroughs in biotechnology, reminiscent of new drug growth and artificial biology, are anticipated. This might probably lengthen human life spans to 120 years.
“These developments might redefine what it means to be aged, probably shifting the edge to 80 years. As medical expertise advances, illnesses like most cancers and power diseases may see main breakthroughs, bettering general well being and happiness,” Guo mentioned.
As of the top of final yr, the nationwide common life expectancy was 79 years.
Guo added that brain-computer interfaces are gaining consideration. These interfaces improve muscle nerve features and assist people with paralysis regain management of their limbs.
“We should additionally contemplate new roles, reminiscent of household knowledge managers, who will navigate the inflow of sensible applied sciences in houses. These roles will probably be essential in managing well being knowledge and facilitating distant healthcare.
“Addressing these challenges requires a collective effort. We have to embrace these modifications and create inclusive environments that leverage expertise for all age teams. By doing so, we are able to rework the challenges of an getting old inhabitants into alternatives for progress and innovation,” he mentioned.
lihongyang@chinadaily.com.cn
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