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3 days ago

September 7, 2025

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Building a solid foundation to support AI adoption at Bentley

Published

13 minutes ago

September 10, 2025

CIO staff

On determination: Years ago, there was a program called Tomorrow’s World, and it was all about the future and what that could look like. I was fascinated by it because in one episode, there was a woman presenter. So that inspired me then, and showed you could aspire to that. I went into my first role working in a software development division in the mid-90s where everyone was frantically recoding everything because of Y2K. Those were my very early days in technology. But even then, I had female role models who made it seem accessible. I was curious but not very academic at school, so I felt lucky to get a job in technology. Being able to learn coding was very interesting, and I found my routine, and continued to grow and move through the ranks.

On data: I always say there’s no AI without data. So the thing we’ve been working on for the last two years is the data strategy, understanding the governance, the framework, and everything else we need there as foundations. We’ve done a lot of work around data literacy and upskilling in the organization, and we’ve been doing that in preparedness for AI because we know everybody wants it, and they want it now, but they don’t necessarily know what they want it for. So it’s about creating that safe space where people can test and learn. I’ve been working in partnership with the chief strategy officer to say this needs to be a joint business, and we need an IT strategy around data and AI. It can’t just be directly from it. We need to work together with the business to understand what we want to use AI for so we can get to value sooner. And if you think about what we’ve been doing for the last three years in moving to the enterprise systems, reducing the systems landscape, and making sure we understand what data we’ve got in those systems, it’s all been creating the pathway and the foundation levels we need to get us there sooner.

On streamlining efficiencies: When I came into automotive, it was essentially learning a whole different language because many of the abbreviations are tied to German words. So even when you know them, you don’t understand what they mean. For me, it was about taking that big step back, looking at our business and saying we’re all about designing and creating an amazing product. We then have customers we service through the web or the app. So it’s broken down into value streams, and within those are the processes of designing, building, marketing, and selling cars. I like logic, so I try to apply it when we examine capabilities, like reducing cost of delivery from an IT perspective. That gives us more money to invest in other things, or future ready our organization.

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Tools & Platforms

AI Companions Revolutionize Elder Care, Battling Loneliness Worldwide

Published

60 minutes ago

September 10, 2025

Name

The Rise of AI in Elder Care

In an era where technology increasingly intersects with human well-being, artificial intelligence is emerging as a pivotal tool in addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing the elderly: loneliness. Senior living facilities across the United States are turning to AI-powered companions to provide emotional support and social interaction for residents who often feel isolated. These digital aides, ranging from voice-activated chatbots to robotic pets, are designed to engage users in meaningful conversations, remind them of daily tasks, and even monitor health metrics, all while offering a semblance of companionship without the need for constant human intervention.

Recent implementations highlight the potential of these technologies. For instance, a program in a Bronx senior living facility, as reported by CBS New York, has introduced AI companions that deliver empathy and conversation, helping residents combat feelings of solitude. Similarly, initiatives in states like New York and Pennsylvania have distributed robotic pets to isolated seniors, providing comfort and reducing loneliness, according to coverage from CNN posts on X.

Low-Tech Approaches Yield High Impact

Contrary to assumptions that cutting-edge AI requires sophisticated hardware, many effective solutions are surprisingly low-tech. A notable example comes from McKnight’s Senior Living, which details how simple voice-based AI companions are being deployed in senior residences. These systems operate via basic phone calls or smart speakers, engaging residents in casual chats about weather, news, or personal stories, thereby fostering a sense of connection without overwhelming users with complex interfaces.

This approach is particularly beneficial for seniors who may be intimidated by high-tech gadgets. Research from a systematic review published in PMC underscores the effectiveness of such AI applications in reducing loneliness among older adults, noting improvements in quality of life and mental health outcomes through regular, empathetic interactions.

Global Innovations and Local Adaptations

Beyond the U.S., international efforts are pushing boundaries. In South Korea, ChatGPT-powered Hyodol robots are assisting caregivers by providing companionship to seniors, as highlighted in a recent article from Rest of World. These robots not only converse but also help with medication reminders and vital sign monitoring, alleviating the burden on human staff in overburdened facilities.

Domestically, companies like ElliQ are leading the charge with AI care companion robots that promote independence and healthy living. According to their own site at ElliQ, these devices facilitate entertainment, family connections, and wellness goal tracking, proving especially valuable in combating isolation. Posts on X from users like Dynamic emphasize how such AI companions are tailored for elderly interactions, incorporating patience and generational knowledge to build rapport.

Challenges and Ethical Considerations

Despite the promise, integrating AI into elder care isn’t without hurdles. Concerns about dependency and the potential for these companions to exacerbate rather than alleviate loneliness have surfaced. A piece in WebProNews warns that romantic AI companions might foster unhealthy attachments, leading to lower self-esteem and anxiety among users who withdraw from real-world connections.

Privacy issues also loom large, with data collection for health monitoring raising ethical questions. Industry insiders, as discussed in a Forbes article, stress the need for robust safeguards to protect vulnerable seniors from exploitation while scaling support through predictive AI tools.

Future Prospects and Industry Shifts

Looking ahead, the integration of AI in senior living is poised for expansion. Innovations like the Joy Calls service from ONSCREEN, detailed in a PR Newswire release, offer free phone-based AI companionship to combat isolation in Southern California. This model could inspire widespread adoption, especially as staffing shortages persist in care facilities.

Experts predict that embodied AI, such as robots with physical presence, will become more prevalent, as noted in X discussions from susano. Combined with advancements in voice recognition and behavioral monitoring, these technologies could detect early signs of cognitive decline, as explored in posts by Joel Selanikio on X, potentially revolutionizing proactive care.

Balancing Technology with Human Touch

Ultimately, while AI companions offer scalable solutions, they are most effective when complementing, not replacing, human interaction. A WHYY segment points out that about one in four older adults report social isolation, and AI robots are helping, but experts caution against over-reliance. Programs encouraging real-life connections, like AI meet-up apps described in The Sun, bridge the gap by facilitating in-person events.

As the industry evolves, stakeholders must prioritize ethical deployment to ensure AI enhances rather than diminishes the human experience in elder care. With ongoing innovations, these digital allies could significantly improve the lives of millions, turning the tide against loneliness in an aging population.

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Tools & Platforms

AI export rules tighten as the US opens global opportunities

Published

1 hour ago

September 10, 2025

iliasd@diplomacy.edu

The American AI Exports Program aims to boost small business innovation in AI while ensuring sensitive technologies do not fall into military or weapons use abroad.

President Trump has signed an Executive Order to promote American leadership in AI exports, marking a significant policy shift. The move creates new global opportunities for US businesses but also introduces stricter compliance responsibilities.

The order establishes the American AI Exports Program, overseen by the Department of Commerce, to develop and deploy ‘full-stack’ AI export packages.

These packages cover everything from chips and cloud infrastructure to AI models and cybersecurity safeguards. Industry consortia will be invited to submit proposals, outlining hardware origins, export targets, business models, and federal support requests.

A central element of the initiative is ensuring compliance with US export control regimes. Companies must align with the Export Control Reform Act and the Export Administration Regulations, with special attention to restrictions on advanced computing chips.

New guidance warns against potential violations linked to hardware and highlights red flags for illegal diversion of sensitive technology.

Commerce stresses that participation requires robust export compliance plans and rigorous end user screening.

Legal teams are urged to review policies on AI exports, as regulators focus on preventing misuse of advanced computing systems in military or weapons programmes abroad.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

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