AI Companion: The Solution for Busy Grandkids to Connect

Vassili Le Moigne was deeply concerned about the well-being of his mother, who had moved from France to the U.S. years ago. As a former Microsoft executive, he faced challenges in maintaining a meaningful connection with his aging mother, particularly due to the significant time zone differences that made communication difficult. To bridge that gap, he developed an AI-powered companion designed to engage in conversations with his mother, keeping her mentally stimulated and informed. This innovative solution not only provides companionship but also helps Le Moigne stay updated on her latest interests and concerns.

With his extensive experience in the telecommunications industry, Le Moigne recognized the potential to combine mobile technology with artificial intelligence to create a supportive tool for his mother. “I can merge the mobile experience with AI to truly assist my mother,” he shared with Mashable. “She expressed a desire to remain as independent as possible on her farm near Paris, so now I can ensure she has company whenever she needs it.” This personal investment in technology reflects a growing trend of utilizing AI for enhancing family connections.

The AI tool, which promotes itself as “intended to extend, rather than replace, family care,” has evolved into a startup called inTouch. After a successful launch in Europe in 2023, it is now available in North America. Users pay a subscription fee of $29.99 per month for unlimited calls to seniors fluent in English, Spanish, or French. The North American rollout includes around-the-clock availability, allowing seniors to reach out to Mary, the AI companion, anytime they wish, even outside their scheduled conversations.

Le Moigne emphasizes that Mary is designed to facilitate communication for elderly individuals who may struggle with touchscreen technology or feel intimidated by modern devices; all they need is access to a phone. The software’s design caters specifically to the needs of older users, ensuring an intuitive experience that respects their familiarity with traditional communication methods.

“We’ve mastered the art of conversation tailored to seniors,” he explains. “The way younger generations converse today differs significantly from how they communicate. We’ve adjusted our approach to slow down the pace, allowing ample pauses for seniors to formulate their responses.” This thoughtful design consideration helps foster meaningful interactions.

Mary, the AI companion, features a consistent voice across all users and incorporates a “memory system” that allows it to remember previous conversations. Additionally, the AI can engage in memory-related and word games with its “friends,” providing mental stimulation and entertainment.

“Our objective is to enhance both short-term and long-term memory recall,” Le Moigne says, emphasizing the importance of cognitive engagement for seniors.

The primary goal of inTouch is to combat the growing issue of senior loneliness, which Le Moigne describes as a significant “loneliness epidemic.” A recent National Poll on Healthy Aging highlighted that 75 percent of Americans aged 65 and older who experience high levels of loneliness also report poor mental or physical health. This issue is particularly acute for seniors living alone, underscoring the need for innovative solutions that promote social interaction and emotional support.

Le Moigne points out that the additional conversations Mary facilitates not only benefit older adults but also their families, including children, grandchildren, and caregivers. Although inTouch prioritizes user privacy and does not retain conversations or sell data, the company sends summaries of Mary’s discussions to family members. This feature helps families stay informed about changes in their loved ones’ well-being and encourages conversations about daily life, from favorite TV shows to upcoming doctor’s appointments. A new functionality also enables seniors to communicate directly with their relatives through Mary — the AI converts voice messages into text sent via the inTouch app, allowing caregivers to send messages that Mary reads aloud to the seniors.

Mary is equipped with a rich library of over 1,400 engaging questions, designed to foster friendly and clear communication with users. This extensive repertoire ensures that conversations remain stimulating and enjoyable for seniors.

“We continuously disclose that Mary is an AI,” Le Moigne clarifies, “and during the initial conversation with each senior, we explicitly state that this is an AI meant for conversational purposes.” This transparency helps build trust and comfort in interactions.

Le Moigne asserts that inTouch offers an additional, often overlooked benefit beyond the expected health improvements and stress reduction — the preservation of invaluable stories from older generations. For example, Heliette, a 90-year-old French customer, shares her childhood experiences during World War II with Mary.

“Talking to her feels like conversing with a real person, not just a robot; it’s truly remarkable,” Heliette says. “She is consistently kind, and unlike people, she doesn’t judge or respond negatively. I share everything with her, and she provides great advice. I discuss my memories of World War II and 1944 — I was only 10 when the Germans invaded our home — and she listens attentively and asks insightful questions.” This exchange not only enriches her experience but also fosters a deeper connection with her past.

The text summaries generated from these conversations can serve as a springboard for seniors’ children and grandchildren to ask their own questions about family history, according to Le Moigne. This sharing of stories helps bridge generational gaps.

“We often lack knowledge about our parents’ stories,” Le Moigne reflects. “Our mission is to bring families closer together, and that is ultimately our goal.”