Gerontechnology for who? A responsible framework for diversity and inclusivity for health technology
R. A. Søraa
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AbstractGerontechnology is a grouping of technologies made to benefit older adults, as well as a research field that facilitates discussion of important mitigation of age-related issues for this age group. There are over 727 million people aged 65+ in the world today. This is projected to double in the next 30 years, increasing from 9.3% to 16% of the global population (UN DESA, 2020). This radical demographic change calls for new technological solutions (gerontechnologies), geron-policies, and re-structuring of ageing societies. But it is important to not homogenize this rather heterogeneous group. In this presentation I question which people are included in the plans, narratives, and infrastructure networks of gerontechnology. In doing so I raise the question of “gerontechnology for who?” I question how gerontechnology, albeit being a radical opportunity to better lives of older adults in general, also holds the power to reinforce excluding trends in technological advancement, where the standard body is e.g. still based on male and not female bodies. I highlight the importance of decolonizing technology access issues (Mohamed, 2020) where the rich Global North accumulate resources (e.g. medical staff, and equipment) and the importance of reframing the discourse of healthy ageing so that is not based around assumptions of being (able)bodied. I also highlight other exclusive parameters, e.g. heteronormativity, racial injustice, and class-based discrimination through technology (Viswanathan et al., 2017). I question how gerontechnology in the era of Artificial Intelligence can facilitate an inclusive and diverse discourse where older adults of all shapes and sizes and with multitudes of backgrounds can benefit from the technological possibilities gerontechnologies can bring.Keywords: gerontechnology, diversity, inclusion, responsible research and innovation, healthcare robotics
R. A. Søraa (2022). Gerontechnology for who? A responsible framework for diversity and inclusivity for health technology. Gerontechnology, 21(s),1-1
https://doi.org/10.4017/gt.2022.21.s.576.opp6