Evaluating BabaCare An AI Phone Companion to Support Emotional Well-Being and Social Connection in Older Adults

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating Baba, a novel AI care copilot designed to enhance emotional well-being, cognitive engagement, and social connection for older adults. This study focuses on how older adults interact with Baba, how it fits into their daily lives, and whether it can support improvements in well-being and self-management. The findings aim to inform the potential use of AI companions in promoting independent aging. Participants will receive daily or nearly daily phone calls from Baba over a 12-week period. Baba operates through SMS text and voice calls without requiring apps, Wi-Fi, or new devices, making it accessible and easy to use for older adults. The AI system uses a fine-tuned language model to hold conversations, analyze emotional cues, and log call summaries and risk alerts for caregiver review. During the study, participants interactions with Baba will be monitored alongside assessments of loneliness using the UCLA Loneliness Scale and mood using the Patient Health Questionnaire PHQ-9 and the Geriatric Depression Scale GDS, all measured at 12 weeks. The study tracks how well participants engage with Baba, their emotional and cognitive responses, and any changes in well-being. The total participation duration is 12 weeks, with ongoing evaluations throughout this time.

BabaCare: Testing a Care Copilot