Expertise, notably synthetic intelligence, can remodel the challenges of an getting old inhabitants into alternatives for innovation and progress, in keeping with Guo Zhe, director of the China Science and Expertise Museum.
“The present wave of technological transformation, led by AI, is introducing important uncertainties. This shift impacts not solely the financial and industrial sectors but in addition each facet of our every 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 whole inhabitants, in keeping with the 2024 Nationwide Report on Growing older Improvement launched by the central authorities. That quantity was 139.02 million, accounting for 10.1 % of the whole inhabitants a decade earlier in 2014.
China has immense potential for age-friendly expertise functions, in keeping with Guo. Though the business has been paying extra consideration to this space lately, there may be nonetheless a major hole within the innovation and improvement of those applied sciences, he mentioned.
“It is not nearly upgrading present amenities. It is about prioritizing the wants of the aged.”
Present designs for structure, furnishings and tools are historically common, not contemplating age variations. Given these demographic modifications, a scientific redesign will probably be wanted inside 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 are usually not nearly mimicking human bodily constructions. They’re evolving into entities able to emotional companionship and primary communication,” mentioned Guo.
Sooner or later, machines could acquire the flexibility to speak and develop primary consciousness by deep studying, he added.
“This can remodel 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 coming into what some describe because the compressed period. Adjustments that when took centuries at the moment are taking place inside years and even months, bringing each uncertainty and a way of urgency,”Guo mentioned.
Future developments 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, resembling new drug improvement and artificial biology, are anticipated. This might probably prolong human life spans to 120 years.
“These developments could redefine what it means to be aged, probably shifting the brink to 80 years. As medical expertise advances, illnesses like most cancers and power sicknesses might see main breakthroughs, enhancing general well being and happiness,” Guo mentioned.
As of the tip 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 capabilities and assist people with paralysis regain management of their limbs.
“We should additionally think about new roles, resembling household knowledge managers, who will navigate the inflow of sensible applied sciences in properties. These roles can 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 remodel the challenges of an getting old inhabitants into alternatives for progress and innovation,” he mentioned.
lihongyang@chinadaily.com.cn
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