By Steve Moran

I was recently in a breakout session where the presenter briefly talked about artificial intelligence as “the next buzzword” thing in senior living.

Just so we are all on the same page … let’s start by defining the term buzzword. This from the online Merriam-Webster dictionary:

An important-sounding usually technical word or phrase often of little meaning used chiefly to impress laymen.

This is not the first time I have heard “experts” and leaders disparage AI as just a buzzword or fad that will fade into obscurity. They are all wrong. In the next five years, every single senior living organization will be using and benefit from AI. It is simply too big, too powerful. In truth, right now, today, though indirectly, those leaders are already benefiting from AI.

Historically

Historically there have always been naysayers about things that have transformed the human experience for humans. Here are a few examples:

  • The printing press: Experts and leaders believed — feared — it would lead to moral degradation.
  • The telephone: It was believed that it would destroy privacy and social etiquette. There was a fear that it would be used to conduct seances and communicate with the dead.
  • Electricity: Some thought it would disrupt natural sleep patterns and cause health issues.
  • Going to space: Many believed it was not our place to leave Earth.

And of course, who can forget the fears around Y2K and how the world was going to self-destruct because of computer errors.

Early or Late

The question is not “if you will be using AI.” You will. It is a matter of being an early, middle, or late adopter. You can wait and see; there is no question about that. But those who embrace AI will be many steps ahead. They will provide better resident experiences; they will create better workforces. Their life enrichment programs will be better. People will have better lives, and the AI users will have higher occupancy and better margins.

No matter where you are on your AI journey, you can advance your progress by months or years in just three days by being a part of the Foresight AI Lab that takes place January 12-14, 2025, in Las Vegas. Senior living leaders who are already doing remarkable things with AI will share what they have learned and what they are doing and — most importantly how they are doing it.

This will help you advance your AI journey further and faster.