25/04/2026
What does the future of ageing look like? 👵👴 We spent last week at World Ageing Festival 2026 finding out.
From high-tech solutions improving mobility and exercise safety to conversations with innovators shaping more human-centred approaches to ageing, the floor was buzzing with inspiration.
A personal highlight was hearing from Dr. Kelvin Tan, Head, Minor in Applied Ageing Studies & Associate Professor, Gerontology Programmes at Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) on a first-of-its-kind Singapore study by AWWA and SUSS, in partnership with Temasek Foundation.
The study shows that AI social robots can meaningfully improve well-being across generations, from seniors to children with high support needs, while also easing caregiver demands. Seniors experienced improved quality of life, happiness and emotional connection, while children showed better focus, emotional regulation and communication. Caregivers reported reduced supervision and more independent engagement during activities.
A compelling example of how thoughtfully applied technology doesn’t replace care, but strengthens it, delivering impact where it matters most.
