This is a team project by Bhuva Narayan (FASS), Gail Kenning (FASS and FEIT) and Indra McKie (UTS Library and UTS ITD), in collaboration with a Sydney-based aged-care organisation.

The main engagement activity of the project is a series of facilitated events named High Tea with a Chatbot, where we will introduce senior citizens to the idea of using helper chatbots to empower them in their everyday lives; to help them break through the functional conception of chatbots by introducing conversational chatbots within their social worlds, especially focusing on those with early stages of dementia.

Robots and Voice User Interfaces or VUI are already present in all aspects of our everyday lives: at supermarket checkouts, as automated affordances of everyday objects and home appliances, in Internet-connected personal devices, operating and providing accessibility to the Internet of Things (IoT), and more recently, through conversational user interfaces commonly referred to as chatbots. However, scholars have noted a gap in the expectations of these communicative tools and the capabilities of voice user interfaces. This gap between how VUI can potentially support people in their everyday and their actual use is greater for people not familiar with such technologies. Chatbots, because they are voice activated, can potentially provide greater access and inclusivity for people with cognitive and physical limitations (including for example, people living sight, hearing, dexterity limitations, dementia or mild cognitive impairment); without the cues that humanoid robots offer, their use may not necessarily be intuitive for people not familiar or confident with interacting with such technologies. Also, the lack of perceived conversational personality in chatbots has been a barrier to their adoption.

This project provides an innovative fun way to introduce older adults to chatbots, encourage their use, and to enable them to share this information with others. Chatbots can support people by providing access to information and services, assisting with day-to-day chores, providing entertainment that can relieve depression and boredom, and providing opportunities for interaction and social engagement. Chatbots can also be infinitely patient with people whose questions may be repretive and can also be chatty and social if configured as such. However, technology uptake by senior citizens remains inconsistent, as potential users are unsure of how to use them, are afraid of making mistakes, or do not know where to start. Research has shown that when older members of the community are supported in their use of technology they not only become consistent users and integrate technology use into their everyday lives, but are keen also to share their knowledge with other people. Much of the work currently undertaken in relation to chatbots and older people is in relation to the potential for chatbots to be robotic companions or AI developments; there is limited work in how chatbots can be integrated and socialised into everyday conversational and informational functions to support day-to-day living.

The project will be carried out in collaboration with Sydney-based community organisations - a seniors computer club, a number of residential care facilities,  two community centres, and a dementia advocacy organisation. We have developed and designed the content for this conversational experience and its potential will be explored and tested during a festive High Tea event which will help us develop resource material that supports people in chatbot use, and to act as a takeaway to be shared. Research shows that an important aspect of older people using technology consistently is in being provided with support material and reminders of how to use them, alongside breaking down the perceived barriers between the functional and social aspects of the technology.

Gail Kenning has expertise in running workshops for older people, including those living with dementia, to provide a fun experience for all, while introducing them to technologies and new experiences. Bhuva Narayan and Indra McKie have experience facilitating industry workshops, and in designing conversational user experiences and natural language interfaces for chatbots. The workshops will be observed in real-time and will be audio and video recorded with the consent of all. This will enable us to analyse participants' interactions with each other and with the chatbots. A publication will be produced providing details of the overall project to enable this to be replicated and to support knowledge transfer. The resource materials developed will be openly available online for any community organisation wanting to integrate chatbots into aged care.

1. Stationery and party supplies - 250
2. Morning tea for approximately six senior citizens over three separate events - 450
3. Chatbot device and customisation – 500
4. Project officer to help record and document event, and coordinate the printed handouts for senior citizens - 1000
5. A stretch target of 1000 will be added if we reach the 2200 goal, so the Project Officer can put up interactive online resources that are more user freindly for anyone interested, including aged-care workers.