Social Integration in The Digital Age: AI-Driven Approaches to Mitigating Isolation of Older Adults.

There has been an increase in social isolation among the older adults and this has heightened the focus on technological solutions that can help older adults maintain social well-being. Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a promising approach to addressing isolation of older adults and improving social integration. Some of the tools includes social robots, conversational agents, voice assistants, and predictive health-monitoring technology. The paper is a systematic review of empirical studies on AI-based interventions to reduce isolation and enhance social connectedness among ageing populations. A systematic review of large academic databases identified possible studies on adults aged 60+,, AI-based systems, and quantifiable social or psychosocial consequences. Information was picked off AI type, study design, outcomes, and important findings. The evidence suggests that AI technologies, especially socially assistive robots, can significantly reduce loneliness through engagement, maintenance, and emotional responsiveness. Social integration is another area of indirect impact enabled by AI systems, which facilitates independence, health management, and interaction with caregivers and community networks. Nonetheless, digital literacy, usability, trust, and ethical issues, such as privacy and the risk of over-reliance, affect effectiveness. Altogether, AI has the potential to be used as an auxiliary technology to advance social well-being later in life, but it must be used alongside human activity rather than in its place. Ethically based, long-term, and user-centred strategies are imperative for achieving meaningful results in social integration.