UC Merced Undergraduate Research Journal

Despite the advances in Artificial Intelligence technology, its application in elderly care still presents many challenges and limitations, particularly compared to human caregivers. This synthesis reviewed empirical articles that examined the role of AI robots in elderly care, focusing on their potential benefits and drawbacks. It revealed that AI robots are not capable of replacing human caregivers due to high costs, technical limitations, and the need for human cooperation. Additionally, the study warns that using AI robots may pose potential safety, privacy, and ethical risks, including data security issues, privacy breaches, and negative effects from the incorrect use of the technologies. This paper argues that AI robots can significantly enhance elderly care by providing consistent support and reducing caregiver burden, yet they cannot replace the essential human elements of caregiving. The findings emphasize the need for ethical and legal standards in the deployment of AI robots in elderly care, to ensure that the quality of life for the elderly is improved with these advanced technologies, rather than diminishes.