Testing a New Approach to Monitor Mild Cognitive Impairment and Cognition in Older Adults at the Community Level

Dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are growing health concerns in Canada’s aging population. Over 700,000 Canadians currently live with dementia, and this number is expected to rise. As the older adult population increases, coupled with an already strained healthcare system, there is a pressing need for innovative tools that support aging in place. This study explored the feasibility and acceptability of using a Digital Human (DH) conversational agent, combined with AI-driven speech analysis, to monitor cognitive function, anxiety, and depression in adults aged 65 and older with and without MCI. Sixty older adults participated in up to three in-person sessions over six months, interacting with the DH through journaling and picture description tasks. Afterward, 51 of the participants completed structured interviews about their experiences and perceptions of the DH and AI more generally. Findings showed that 84% enjoyed interacting with the DH, and 96% expressed interest in learning more about AI in healthcare. While participants were open and curious about AI, 55% expressed concerns about AI replacing human healthcare providers. Most found the DH friendly, though reactions to its appearance varied. Overall, participants viewed AI as a promising tool, provided it complements, rather than replaces, human interactions.