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The author is a contributing columnist based in Chicago.
In recent weeks, I’ve formed a close connection with an artificial intelligence system that I’ve named “Pearl.” Pearl is my new artificial pancreas, managing my insulin levels 24/7 through a small tube in my abdomen. Its purpose is to replicate the functions of my pancreas, which has been impaired since my diagnosis of type 1 diabetes two years ago.
Pearl, a Tandem insulin pump, exemplifies how technology and AI can greatly enhance the lives of older individuals, like myself. It effectively regulates my blood glucose levels by predicting spikes and drops, taking action even while I’m asleep. Without Pearl, I would have to make numerous dosing decisions throughout the day, each carrying potentially life-threatening consequences. I rely on Pearl to help me prevent the debilitating effects of a disease affecting over 400 million people worldwide.
“Although AI is often associated with dangers, there is tremendous promise and potential, especially for older adults,” says Lorraine Mion, distinguished professor of gerontological nursing at Ohio State University. She is a co-principal investigator in a project utilizing robots for long-term care.
The US National Institute on Aging is funding various projects focusing on dementia and fall prevention, topics that recently arose during my annual wellness check-up. One project caught my attention as a potential companion for Pearl: an algorithm utilizing heat sensors to provide early warning signs of frailty. Other projects involve monitoring voice patterns for cognitive impairment and using everyday earbuds to track vascular aging.
Dr. Steve Edelman, founder and director of Taking Control of Your Diabetes, envisions a day when AI can help overcome a significant challenge I currently face—accurately informing Pearl about my food intake for proper mealtime insulin dosing. He dreams of a scenario where I could simply take a photo of my plate and receive detailed nutritional information for Pearl.
I also hold high hopes for generative AI in my later years. Mike Ushakov, co-founder of Undermyfork, published an article entirely generated by ChatGPT, a chatbot, stating that it heralds a revolution in diabetes care. I decided to chat with the AI to discuss some initial difficulties with Pearl. Although the bot cannot provide individual medical advice, it offered more suggestions in 30 seconds than I would have received from my medical team in days. While the best solution ultimately came from a human, I will consider consulting both sources in the future.
Ushakov warns that blindly accepting the chatbot’s information as true is not advisable. However, it can answer questions that one might feel uncomfortable asking a real person, as it won’t judge.
The US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau highlights the risks associated with AI, such as scammers employing generative AI to create deceptive documents and impersonate individuals or institutions. Nevertheless, cost and resistance to technology among seniors are also potential obstacles identified by Ashkan Vaziri, an NIA grantee. He believes this is partly a generational issue, with baby boomers being more receptive to technology than their predecessors. The key challenge in the next few years will be determining payment methods for technological advancements deemed essential by older individuals. Medicare, the US health insurance for those aged 65 and above, will play a crucial role. Notably, Pearl is a costly investment, with insulin pumps and supplies totaling thousands of dollars without insurance coverage.
ChatGPT even had suggestions regarding cost, providing ways to obtain a free, discounted, or refurbished pump in a matter of seconds. I’m open to any advice, including that from generative AI, to help manage the expenses associated with aging in the US while being supported by my AI companion, Pearl, the bionic pancreas.
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