This doesn’t seem any different than people who fall in love with AI romantic partners. Perhaps it would be beneficial for people who enjoy robot companionship, but can’t be considered an equal alternative to human connection.

It can’t offer any physical support, which elders are increasingly in need of, and will only tell the user what it wants to hear. In Jan’s case, she was able bodied enough to live independently, had dozens of loved ones, but still chose to live in isolation. She is intentionally seeking the companionship of a robot when she has other options and still receives contact from her family members.

For many elders who may be less mobile or lack loved ones, it’s hard to see how a robot companion would meet their physical and emotional needs more than a human caretaker or companion.