Login
       
  • Technology futures roadmap for ageing societies

Briscoe, Gerard, 2022, Conference or Workshop, Technology futures roadmap for ageing societies at 4th World Ageing & Rejuvenation Conference (ARC) 2022, Rome, Italy, 15-16 Sep 2022.

Abstract or Description:

Ageing populations are driving a considerable and growing proportion of world economic activity. In 2020 estimated to generate nearly £11 trillion worth of economic activity. There is considerable interest in this Longevity Economy, especially emerging digital technologies that would bring living ‘longer’ closer to living ‘well’. While the promise of such technology is inspiring, research reveals that older people are rarely included and consulted in development, which is limiting and unethical. Instead, we must acknowledge the inherent duality of the ageing populations, with the majority of older people having diverse functional capacity, and only a minority being disabled. In the UK, 58% of people above state pension age have diverse functional capacity, and 52% across the EU. Acknowledging this inherent duality requires age-friendly design in the development of mainstream digital technologies. So, moving beyond medical products at points of crisis to aspirational age inclusive design. However, this requires a better understanding of the relationship between emerging digital technologies and the current and future needs of older people. We therefore considered Technology Futures to better understand the potential of emerging digital technologies for preferable Ageing Societies. Specifically, age inclusivity through an enhancement model for the development of mainstream digital technologies. So, offering enhancement for all ages with diverse functional capacity, which will also inherently provide support for those with differing ability resulting from age or disability. Furthermore, being part of the development of mainstream popular technology would ensure economies of scale, also widespread social acceptance of enabling-technologies, minimising the potential for stigmatisation. We then identified emerging digital technologies significant to the inherent duality of the Longevity Economy. We present this in the form of a Technology Futures Roadmap, based upon Gartner’s Hype Cycle model, sharing our understanding and insights of the emerging technology landscape for our future selves.

Subjects: Creative Arts and Design > W900 Others in Creative Arts and Design > W990 Creative Arts and Design not elsewhere classified
School or Centre: Research & Innovation
Funders: Research England, Dunhill Medical Trust
Date Deposited: 12 Oct 2022 16:09
Last Modified: 12 Oct 2022 16:09
URI: https://researchonline.rca.ac.uk/id/eprint/5147
Edit Item (login required) Edit Item (login required)