Loneliness in a Digital and AI-Driven Society

In the AI age, loneliness is becoming a critical issue, exacerbated by rapid technological advancements and societal shifts. AI’s integration into workplaces and daily life, while offering efficiency and growth, often reduces meaningful human interactions, leading to increased feelings of isolation. This is particularly concerning as loneliness is linked to severe mental and physical health challenges, reduced productivity, and economic costs. For older adults, loneliness is a public health crisis, affecting over a quarter of this population and contributing to cognitive decline and poor health outcomes. Ignoring this issue risks long-term societal and economic harm.

AI offers both challenges and opportunities in addressing loneliness. While poorly implemented AI systems can worsen isolation, innovative AI solutions such as conversational agents, social robots, and virtual companions have shown promise in reducing loneliness by promoting emotional connections, enhancing social participation, and providing personalised support.

Join us for this expert panel session as we explore the complex relationship between technology and human connection and discuss how we can strategically leverage AI to help end loneliness.

Featured Panellists
• Dr. Ellen van Holstein Vice Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellow | School of Global Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University
• Associate Professor Michelle Lim Scientific Chair & CEO, Ending Loneliness Together, University of Sydney
• Associate Professor Barbara Barbosa Neves, ARC Future Fellow, Horizon Fellow
School of Social and Political Sciences, The University of Sydney,
• Dr. Anh Nguyen Program Manager of Psychology | RMIT Vietnam

Moderator
• Dr. Asanka Gunasekara Senior Lecturer in HRM/People Analytics | Co-Theme Leader, Centre for Organisations and Social Change (COSC), RMIT University

Organised by: Centre for Organisations and Social Change (COSC), RMIT University