Photo/Illutration An image of the screen for the AI consultation system for dementia patients on the official website of the Kyotango city government (Provided by Issue+Design)

KYOTANGO, Kyoto Prefecture--An artificial intelligence-based consultation system developed to help people living with dementia is already winning praise for its sensitivity in answering questions about the disease.

The system, called “Ninchisho Sekai no Arukikata: Tabi no Senpai A.I.” (How to walk in the dementia world: A.I., the veteran traveler), was developed by Tokyo-based nonprofit Issue+Design.

It is now available on the official website of the Kyotango city government here. Officials noted that it is rare for AI to be used for a consultation service.

In 2011, Yusuke Kakei, head of Issue+Design, published a book titled “Ninchisho Sekai no Arukikata” based on interviews with 100 or so dementia patients.

The book explores how the patients view their environments and shows why their behaviors can be difficult for close relatives and others to understand.

It provides easy-to-understand examples, and also explains how family members and caregivers should respond in various situations.

Issue+Design got the AI system learn the data utilized in the book to make the project viable.

The consultation system starts when the icon on the official website at (https://www.city.kyotango.lg.jp/top/soshiki/kenkochoju/chojufukushi/3/2/ninchisho/21161.html) is clicked.

An avatar called “veteran of the dementia world” who is dressed as a traveler appears on the screen, along with a message that reads: “Tell me your questions and concerns.”

A conversation develops as the user types comments in a field at the bottom of the screen.

The avatar sympathizes with how the user feels before suggesting ways to cope with whatever situation has been discussed, according to an Issue+Design representative.

Because the system is equipped with a learning function, the more consultations the AI system provides, the more enriched its answers will be.

The conversation the user has with the AI system cannot be seen from other devices, and the exchanges are deleted when the screen is closed.

The city government and Issue+Design say they hope the system will be used not only by Kyotango residents but also by many other users.

Yasuhiro Fujiwara, who is 58 and works at a day care facility here, deals with users with dementia during the day and takes care of his father with dementia at home at night.

Based on his experiences at the facility, he typed the following text to seek advice from the AI system: “There is someone who walks around when frustrated. The person must be exhausted but won’t stop.”

The veteran replied: “Why don’t you ask the person to sit down for a while and drink tea together?”

“The veteran shows consideration first, and I felt kindness,” Fujiwara said. “I felt a little less irritated.”

His co-worker, Hiroko Horinouchi, 53, asked the system how to deal with a patient who is reluctant to go to the facility.

When she added that the person likes dogs, the AI system said: “Why don’t you tell the person to go (to the facility) because there are people who like dogs?”

“I was quite impressed,” she said. “It is worth recommending to families of people with dementia.”

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