Affiliations: [a] Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| [b]
BC Children’s & Women’s Hospitals, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| [c] Advisor providing caregiver lived experience expertise to Neuroscience, Engagement and Smart Tech (NEST) Lab research team based in Vancouver, BC, Canada
| [d] Department of Computer Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| [e] Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
Correspondence:
[*]
Correspondence to: Julie M. Robillard, PhD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, University of British Columbia, Scientist, Patient Experience, BC Children’s & Women’s Hospital, Room B402 – 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada. Tel.: +1 604 875 3923; E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract: Portacolone et al.’s Ethics Review highlights the ethical challenges associated with the implementation of telepresence devices and applications in the context of aging and dementia. In this response, we review ethical considerations as they relate to specific modalities of telepresence, with an emphasis on the continuum of potential interaction agents, from known individuals to fully automated and intelligent interlocutors. We further discuss areas in need of empirical evidence to inform regulatory efforts in telepresence. We close with a call for meaningful end-user engagement at all stages of technology development.
