{"links":{"self":"http://dataportal.arc.gov.au/NCGP/API/grants/FT250100453"},"data":{"type":"grant-details","id":"FT250100453","attributes":{"code":"FT250100453","administering-organisation":"The University of Sydney","announcement-administering-organisation":"The University of Sydney","scheme-name":"ARC Future Fellowships","grant-status":"Active","funding-commencement-year":2025,"years-funded":4,"project-start-date":"2026-06-30","anticipated-end-date":"2030-06-29","grant-summary":"Artificial Intelligence for Social Connection and Inclusion in Aged Care. This fellowship aims to investigate how artificial intelligence can be equitably and safely used in aged care to combat social isolation and loneliness. Guided by key aged care stakeholders, this sociological project expects to generate new knowledge on current and potential roles of artificial intelligence to address the complex and rising social needs of older Australians. Expected outcomes include the urgent groundwork to map and plan for fair, collaborative AI and human care delivery, positioning Australia as a leader in AI social science innovation. This should provide vital benefits like improved responses to loneliness and social isolation, more inclusive and just aged care practices, and more sustainable social care provision. ","funding-current":1156270.00,"funding-at-announcement":1131799,"investigators-current":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Barbara","familyName":"Barbosa Neves","roleName":"Future Fellowship","roleCode":"FT","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0002-4490-4322 "}],"investigators-at-announcement":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Barbara","familyName":"Barbosa Neves","roleName":"Future Fellowship","roleCode":"FT","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0002-4490-4322 "}],"organisations-current":[{"organisationName":"The University of Sydney","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"NSW"}],"organisations-at-announcement":[{"organisationName":"The University of Sydney","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"NSW"}],"field-of-research":[{"isPrimary":true,"code":"4410","name":"Sociology","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"441011","name":"Sociology of Health","type":"FOR20"}],"socio-economic-objective":[{"code":"280123","name":"Expanding Knowledge In Human Society","type":"SEO20"}],"international-collaboration":["England","Finland","United States of America"],"lief-register":[],"achievement-summary":null,"national-interest-test-statement":"Older Australians in residential and in-home aged care experience disproportionate levels of prolonged loneliness and social isolation. Loneliness (lack of meaningful relationships) and social isolation (limited social participation and support) cause immense emotional pain and health problems—while also imposing significant societal costs, including escalating hospital admissions and healthcare expenses estimated at $2.7 billion annually. Yet, the aged care sector is increasingly unable to meet older Australians’ rising social needs. Policymakers and investors have proposed Artificial Intelligence (AI), like chatbots or companion robots, as a potential solution. Despite its promise, we have limited knowledge of how to integrate AI into care without negative effects like dehumanising caregiving or replacing essential supports. This fellowship will provide the missing critical evidence and a new framework for co-designing collaborative AI-human care with key stakeholders. Amid a growing ageing population and expanding global AI market, findings will offer, for the first time, evidence-based strategies that involve diverse stakeholders to reduce loneliness and isolation, guide best practices for fair social care delivery, and develop guidelines to improve recipient information and protections. Outcomes will be translated into policy briefs, public reports, an AI-human care industry event, and resources for broader public engagement via media articles and an art exhibition.\n"}}}