Study on the effects of artificial intelligence-enabled systems on older adults

(a)

In general

Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institute on Aging, shall seek to enter into a contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a consensus study on the effects of artificial intelligence-enabled systems on older adults, including artificial intelligence chatbots.(b)

Inclusions

The study under subsection (a) shall analyze—(1)patterns and contexts of use of artificial intelligence-enabled systems among older adults, including use for communication, caregiving, companionship to reduce social isolation, health-related information, cognitive engagement, and activities of daily living, and associated benefits and functional outcomes, including cognitive, behavioral, and social outcomes, improved access to information and services, support for caregivers, assistance with everyday functioning, and aging in place, taking into account differences such as cognitive impairment, disability, digital literacy, social isolation, and other factors affecting use and outcomes;(2)the potential risks and adverse outcomes associated with the use of artificial intelligence-enabled systems by older adults, including scams, fraud, financial exploitation, misleading or inaccurate health-related information, overreliance on such systems, reinforcement of harmful or distorted beliefs or behaviors, including delusions, paranoia, or engagement in self-harm, crisis situations, and prolonged or excessive use;(3)the safety, accessibility, privacy practices, and fraud-prevention safeguards associated with artificial intelligence-enabled systems used by older adults, including safeguards relating to crisis response, informed consent and data-use practices, accessibility for older adults with disabilities, and the role of human oversight in shaping reliance on such systems;(4)the effects of artificial intelligence-enabled systems on family members, caregivers, clinician interactions, and caregiving-related decision-making, including the degree to which such systems supplement or substitute for human interaction or support; and(5)research gaps, best practices, areas for future study, and opportunities for coordination relating to the use of artificial intelligence-enabled systems by older adults, including considerations relevant to Federal research and aging-related programs.(c)

Consultation

In conducting the study under subsection (a), the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine shall consult with the National Institute on Aging, the National Institute on Mental Health, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Federal Trade Commission, licensed medical professionals (including physicians, geriatricians, and psychologists), researchers with expertise in aging and technology, fraud and scam prevention experts, disability and accessibility experts, caregivers, health care organizations, and representatives from industry.(d)

Report

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Special Committee on Aging of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report that describes the results of the study under subsection (a), including findings and recommendations regarding the use of artificial intelligence-enabled systems by older adults and associated outcomes.(e)

Definitions

In this section:(1)

Artificial intelligence chatbot

The term artificial intelligence chatbot—(A)means any interactive computer service or software application that—(i)produces new expressive content or responses not fully predetermined by the developer or operator of the service or application; and(ii)accepts open-ended natural-language or multimodal user input and produces adaptive or context-responsive output; and(B)does not include an interactive computer service or software application—(i)the responses of which are limited to contextualized replies; and(ii)that is unable to respond on a range of topics outside of a narrow purpose.(2)

Artificial intelligence-enabled system

The term artificial intelligence-enabled system means any system that uses artificial intelligence, machine learning, or automated decisionmaking to perform tasks, provide recommendations, or interact with users, including—(A)artificial intelligence chatbots;(B)voice-activated assistants;(C)automated health monitoring systems;(D)robotic assistive devices; and(E)generative or large language model-based tools, including decision support tools, used in health care, financial services, caregiving, or daily-living activities.(3)

Older adult

The term older adult means an individual age 65 or older.(f)

Funding

Out of amounts otherwise appropriated to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary shall use to carry out this section not more than $2,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 and 2028.

Aging research to improve care and health outcomes for older adults

Subpart 5 of part C of title IV of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 285e et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

445J.

Aging research to improve care and health outcomes for older adults

(a)

In general

The Director of the Institute shall facilitate multidisciplinary research, stakeholder coordination, and dissemination of best practices relating to the use of artificial intelligence-enabled systems by older adults.(b)

Report

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Director shall submit to Congress a report that describes activities carried out under this section, including emerging research findings and areas for future study relating to artificial intelligence-enabled systems and older adults.(c)

Definitions

In this section:(1)

Artificial intelligence-enabled system

Older adult

The term older adult means an individual age 65 or older.