Public opinion on types of voice systems for older adults

Abstract

Public opinion may influence the adoption of technologies for older adults, yet studies on different contexts of technology for older adults is limited. In an online YouGov survey ( N = 500) with text-and-image vignettes, participants gave more positive ratings of social acceptability, trust, and perceived impact on eldercare when the voice assistant (“VA” system) shown in the vignette performed a functional task (medication adherence) versus when it performed a social task (companionship). The VA received more positive sentiment comments when it appeared to use a machine learning (ML)-based dialogue system compared to when it appeared to be using a rule-based dialogue system. These results may assist designers and stakeholders select what type of voice system to develop or use with older adults.