SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL DETERMINANTS OF ADOPTING AI-DRIVEN ROBOTIC ASSISTANTS IN GERIATRIC CARE: A REVIEW OF CURRENT TRENDS AND ETHICAL CHALLENGES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5357Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence (AI); Assistive Robots (SAR); Geriatric Care; Human-Robot Interaction (HRI); Aging SocietyAbstract
In the face of a rapidly aging population, artificial intelligence (AI)-based robotic assistants represent an innovative solution to support geriatric care systems. Despite their growing potential to assist both patients and healthcare staff, the widespread integration of these technologies still faces complex barriers. This review article aims to analyze the socio-psychological determinants influencing the acceptance of AI-powered robots in elder care, as well as to identify key ethical challenges associated with this phenomenon. The review is based on an analysis of the current literature, focusing on studies evaluating human-robot interaction (HRI) among seniors. The results indicate that the psychological factors most strongly influencing the adoption of this technology are: perceived usefulness, fear of new and unknown solutions, and the level of trust in intelligent machines. From a social perspective, the potential of robots to reduce feelings of loneliness is of key importance, while simultaneously posing a risk of limiting authentic, interpersonal interactions. In the area of ethics, the most frequently raised issues include threats to privacy, data security, and serious concerns regarding the dehumanization and objectification of geriatric patient care. In summary, the successful implementation of robotic assistants requires a balanced approach that incorporates empathy and the human dimension of care while minimizing ethical risks. Technology design for older adults must strictly adhere to a user-centered model to ensure trust and tangibly improve seniors’ quality of life.
References
Mihailov, E., & Wangmo, T. (2025). Does humanness matter? An ethical evaluation of sharing care work with social robots. Science and Engineering Ethics, 31(4), Article 20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-025-00547-y
Elsheikh, A., Al-Thani, D., & Othman, A. (2025). Exploring fear in human-robot interaction: A scoping review of older adults’ experiences with social robots. Frontiers in Robotics and AI, 12, Article 1626471. https://doi.org/10.3389/frobt.2025.1626471
Deusdad, B. (2024). Ethical implications in using robots among older adults living with dementia. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 15, Article 1436273. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1436273
Voinea, C., & Wangmo, T. (2025). Socially assistive robots and meaningful work: The case of aged care. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12, Article 1070. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05498-0
Tana, C., Siniscalchi, C., Cerundolo, N., Meschi, T., Martelletti, P., Tana, M., Moffa, L., Wells-Gatnik, W., Cipollone, F., & Giamberardino, M. A. (2025). Smart aging: Integrating AI into elderly healthcare. BMC Geriatrics, 25, Article 1024. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06723-w
Klímová, B., & Kacetl, J. (2026). Ethical considerations of AI use by the elderly. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, 42(5), 3125–3136. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2025.2531274
Hung, L., Zhao, Y., Alfares, H., & Shafiekhani, P. (2025). Ethical considerations in the use of social robots for supporting mental health and wellbeing in older adults in long-term care. Frontiers in Robotics and AI, 12, Article 1560214. https://doi.org/10.3389/frobt.2025.1560214
Tai, M. C.-T. (2020). The impact of artificial intelligence on human society and bioethics. Tzu Chi Medical Journal, 32(4), 339–343.
Wong, A. K. C., Lee, J. H. T., Zhao, Y., Lu, Q., Yang, S., & Hui, V. C. C. (2025). Exploring older adults’ perspectives and acceptance of AI-driven health technologies: Qualitative study. JMIR Aging, 8, Article e66778. https://doi.org/10.2196/66778
Groeneveld, S., Dekkers, T., van Gemert-Pijnen, L., Verdaasdonk, R., Verveda, T., Witteveen, R., van Os-Medendorp, H., & den Ouden, M. (2025). Factors that influence the implementation of AI-driven lifestyle monitoring in long-term care for older adults. The Gerontologist, 65(12), Article gnaf230. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnaf230
Luan, B., & Li, Y. (2026). How smart companions reshape psychological well-being in later life: The role of artificial intelligence technology in mental health during senior years. BMC Public Health, 26, Article 609. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-026-26328-1
Korchut, A., Szklener, S., Abdelnour, C., Tantinya, N., Hernández-Farigola, J., Ribes, J. C., Skrobas, U., Grabowska-Aleksandrowicz, K., Szczęśniak-Stańczyk, D., & Rejdak, K. (2017). Challenges for service robots—Requirements of elderly adults with cognitive impairments. Frontiers in Neurology, 8, Article 228. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2017.00228
Sawik, B., Tobis, S., Baum, E., Suwalska, A., Kropińska, S., Stachnik, K., Pérez-Bernabeu, E., Cildoz, M., Agustin, A., & Wieczorowska-Tobis, K. (2023). Robots for elderly care: Review, multi-criteria optimization model and qualitative case study. Healthcare, 11(9), Article 1286. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11091286
Ohneberg, C., Stöbich, N., Warmbein, A., Rathgeber, I., Mehler-Klamt, A. C., Fischer, U., & Eberl, I. (2023). Assistive robotic systems in nursing care: A scoping review. BMC Nursing, 22, Article 72. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-023-01230-y
Lin, X. Y., Moxley, J., Sharit, J., & Czaja, S. J. (2025). Beyond the digital divide: Factors associated with adoption of technologies related to aging in place. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 44(6), 959–969. https://doi.org/10.1177/07334648251318789
Rashid, N. L. A., Leow, Y., Klainin-Yobas, P., Itoh, S., & Wu, V. X. (2023). The effectiveness of a therapeutic robot, “Paro,” on behavioural and psychological symptoms, medication use, total sleep time and sociability in older adults with dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 145, Article 104530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2023.104530
Rigaud, A.-S., Dacunha, S., Harzo, C., Lenoir, H., Sfeir, I., Piccoli, M., & Pino, M. (2024). Implementation of socially assistive robots in geriatric care institutions: Healthcare professionals’ perspectives and identification of facilitating factors and barriers. Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Engineering, 11, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1177/20556683241284765
Shakhatreh, H. J. M., & Alazzam, F. A. F. (2025). Legal frameworks for AI-driven diagnostics and robotic surgery. Acta Informatica Medica, 33(3), 248–252. https://doi.org/10.5455/aim.2025.33.248-252
Wang, K., Ghafurian, M., Chumachenko, D., Cao, S., Butt, Z. A., Salim, S., Abhari, S., & Morita, P. P. (2024). Application of artificial intelligence in active assisted living for aging population in real-world setting with commercial devices: A scoping review. Computers in Biology and Medicine, 173, Article 108340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compbiomed.2024.108340
Ma, B., Yang, J., Wong, F. K. Y., Wong, A. K. C., Ma, T., Meng, J., Zhao, Y., Wang, Y., & Lu, Q. (2023). Artificial intelligence in elderly healthcare: A scoping review. Ageing Research Reviews, 83, Article 101808. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2022.101808
Imran, R., & Khan, S. S. (2025). A systematic review on the efficacy of artificial intelligence in geriatric healthcare: A critical analysis of current literature. BMC Geriatrics, 25, Article 248. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-05878-w
Loveys, K., Prina, M., Axford, C., Domènec, O. R., Weng, W., Broadbent, E., Pujari, S., Jang, H., Han, Z. A., & Thiyagarajan, J. A. (2022). Artificial intelligence for older people receiving long-term care: A systematic review of acceptability and effectiveness studies. The Lancet Healthy Longevity, 3(4), e286–e297. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2666-7568(22)00034-4
Yang, Y., Wang, C., Xiang, X., & An, R. (2025). AI applications to reduce loneliness among older adults: A systematic review of effectiveness and technologies. Healthcare, 13(5), Article 446. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13050446
Park, Y., Chang, S. J., Kim, H. J., & Jeong, H. N. (2024). Effectiveness of artificial intelligence robot interventions on psychological health in community-dwelling older adults: A systematic review. Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing, 26(3), 234–247. https://doi.org/10.17079/jkgn.2024.00353
Liu, J., & Wang, B. (2025). Systematic review of smart elderly care in digital environments: Toward sustainable wellbeing for older adults. Sustainability, 17(24), Article 11357. https://doi.org/10.3390/su172411357
Lee, S. H., Kim, J. S., & Yu, S. (2025). The impact of care robots on older adults: A systematic review. Geriatric Nursing, 65, Article 103507. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2024.06.024
Leonardsen, A.-C. L., Hardeland, C., Helgesen, A. K., Bååth, C., del Busso, L., & Grøndahl, V. A. (2023). The use of robotic technology in the healthcare of people above the age of 65—A systematic review. Healthcare, 11(6), Article 904. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11060904
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Karolina Reczka, Zuzanna Zalewska , Julia Szymkowiak , Maria Woźniak
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
All articles are published in open-access and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). Hence, authors retain copyright to the content of the articles.
CC BY 4.0 License allows content to be copied, adapted, displayed, distributed, re-published or otherwise re-used for any purpose including for adaptation and commercial use provided the content is attributed.
How to Cite
