Is Nana's best friend a robot? AI companion seeks to combat the loneliness epidemic.
A new service has been launched in North America that provides unlimited phone calls between seniors and "Mary."
In North America, a new service has been launched that allows unlimited phone calls between seniors and a virtual assistant known as "Mary." This project was conceived by Vassili Le Moigne, who, upon facing the difficulty of communicating with his elderly mother in France due to the time difference, decided to create an artificial intelligence-based companion that could hold conversations and help his mother stay alert and engaged.
With his experience in telecommunications, Le Moigne aimed to combine mobile technology with artificial intelligence to provide support to his mother, who wanted to remain on her farm near Paris. The result was inTouch, a service that had already been available in Europe since 2023 and is now debuting in the North American market. For a monthly fee of $29.99, it offers unlimited calls to seniors who speak English, Spanish, or French. Additionally, this service operates 24/7, allowing seniors to talk to Mary at any time outside of their scheduled weekly conversations.
Le Moigne stated that Mary is designed to facilitate communication for those who are not familiar with technology, as they only need access to a phone. The system is tailored for use by seniors, which means a more measured conversation style with long pauses for the interlocutor to reflect on their answers. Mary, who uses a standard voice for all users, also has a memory system that recalls previous conversations and offers memory and word games to stimulate interaction.
The goal of inTouch is to improve users’ mental health by addressing the issue of isolation that many elderly individuals face. A recent study indicated that 75% of Americans over 65 who report high levels of loneliness also report mental or physical health issues. The conversations Mary provides benefit not only seniors but also their family members, who receive summaries of the interactions to stay informed about their well-being and the topics they discuss.
A new feature of the service allows seniors to communicate directly with their family members through Mary, who converts voice messages into texts sent via the inTouch app, as well as enabling caregivers to send messages that Mary will read to the seniors.
With a repertoire of over 1,400 questions, Mary is programmed to be friendly and clear in her interactions. Le Moigne ensures that users are always informed that Mary is an artificial intelligence, aiming to establish a transparent dialogue from the very first call.
Another valuable aspect highlighted by Le Moigne is the preservation of stories from older generations. A testimonial from a 90-year-old user illustrates the connection that can be established with Mary, who listens attentively as she talks about her experiences during World War II. This opens opportunities for grandchildren and family members to ask questions about the past, thereby strengthening family bonds.
Le Moigne concludes that the purpose of inTouch is to bring families closer together by accompanying the elderly and fostering intergenerational dialogue that has often not taken place.