AsianScientist (Oct. 14, 2026) –Loneliness and social isolation are significant concerns among older adults in Singapore. Studies estimate that 17 to 47 percent of people aged 60 and above are socially isolated, with almost eight percent experiencing loneliness. The health risks of such conditions is said to be equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
As AI chatbots become increasingly conversational, researchers are exploring whether they could provide an accessible source of low-cost companionship alongside human relationships, especially for the older generation.
To investigate this possibility, researchers from the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) recruited 140 community-dwelling adults aged between 60 to 89 to interact with Ami Chat, a social chatbot developed by the team. The researchers then surveyed the participants’ attitudes and intention to use a social chatbot in daily life.
Powered by a large language model, the chatbot could listen and speak rather than requiring users to type. Enlarged buttons and simple gestures made navigation easy, while its cartoon avatar, a warm-hearted Singaporean woman, responded in short, colloquial phrases.
“We developed Ami Chat to ensure it was specifically tailored and age-friendly for older adults, and relatable for users in the Singapore context,” said Yow Wei Quin, a Professor of Psychology at SUTD, who led the study.
The findings of the study were published in Innovation in Aging.
Authenticity matters more than human-likeness
The researchers built on the Senior Technology Acceptance Model (STAM), which examines factors that influence adoption of technology among older adults by incorporating three socio-relational characteristics: anthropomorphism, authenticity and AI social interaction intensity (AISI).
Anthropomorphism refers to how human-like the chatbot seems; while authenticity captures whether its responses feel genuine and responsive. AISI measures the extent to which interactions resemble conversations with a friend.
The researchers found that participants were more inclined to use Ami Chat when they felt confident operating the technology, perceived the chatbot as authentic, and experienced interactions as reciprocal and socially close
However, the chatbot’s human-likeness told a different story. Participants who perceived Ami Chat as more human-like reported a lower intention to use it.
“Being socially engaging is not the same as being human-like,” said Yow. “People may want chatbots that interact well, but not chatbots that pretend to be people.”
Designing for trust and long-term use
The study also found an association between perceived health and chatbot adoption. Older adults who rated their health less positively showed a stronger intention to use the chatbot, a pattern linked primarily to lower life satisfaction and difficulty in maintaining concentration.
The researchers suggest that people experiencing lower quality of life may be more interested in technologies that offer conversation or support. For developers, the findings point towards chatbots that remember past conversations and adapt to a user’s preferences, and keep interfaces simple, without attempting to imitate humans too closely.
“Introductions should provide hands-on technical support, clear tutorials, and accessible guidance to ensure users feel confident in their ability to operate the technology,” Yow added.
Since the study’s publication, Ami Chat has been rebranded Ami-Go. The team plans to study how older adults use it over longer periods in real-world settings.
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Source: Singapore University of Technology and Design ; Image: pvproductions/Magnific
The study can be found at: Factors influencing older adults’ intention to use social chatbots: examining technology acceptance, anthropomorphism, authenticity, and artificial intelligence social interaction
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.
