The use of deception in dementia-care robots: Should robots tell "white lies" to limit emotional distress?

• Main Authors: COX, Samuel R., CHEONG, Grace, OOI, Wei Tsang
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2023
• Subjects: Ageing; Deception; Dementia-Care; Robotic Assistants; Artificial Intelligence and Robotics; Gerontology; Health Information Technology; Health Psychology
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/rosa_publications/2; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/rosa_publications/article/1001/viewcontent/UseDeceptionDementia_CareRobots_av.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

With projections of ageing populations and increasing rates of dementia, there is need for professional caregivers. Assistive robots have been proposed as a solution to this, as they can assist people both physically and socially. However, caregivers often need to use acts of deception (such as misdirection or white lies) in order to ensure necessary care is provided while limiting negative impacts on the cared-for such as emotional distress or loss of dignity. We discuss such use of deception, and contextualise their use within robotics.