Seoul City is expanding its AI-based 'Well-being Check Service' from a one-way to a two-way interaction. Previously, the AI would call the recipients at a set time to check on their well-being, but now the recipients can call the AI directly to request assistance when needed.

On the 20th, Seoul City announced, “The AI Well-being Check Service has been improved to respond not only to regular check-in calls but also to calls initiated by the recipients.” This revamp is part of Seoul City's 'AI Care System Advancement' policy aimed at preventing solitary deaths and addressing welfare blind spots for single-person households. Calls made and received through AI are monitored 24/7 by a partner company of Naver's conversational AI, 'CLOVA CareCall.'

When a recipient calls to request help, the information is immediately relayed to the administrative welfare center or relevant department. The partner company additionally checks on recipients who did not answer or made emergency requests, connecting them to guardians or responsible officials. This upgrade particularly evolves from a 'one-way structure where AI initiates the check-in' to a 'two-way interactive service' where citizens actively participate in the care system.

The 'AI Two-way Well-being Check Service' will be piloted next month for 1,800 low-risk individuals for solitary death across 18 districts. Seoul City plans to expand the service to all districts by 2026 after verifying its effectiveness and stability through the pilot project. The service allows users to choose the AI's gender and voice tone to reduce psychological resistance, and it incorporates technology developed in collaboration with KAIST to detect signs of depression and isolation in advance. If a conversation with a person is preferred, users are automatically connected to Seoul City's 'Loneliness Goodbye 120' counseling service for emotional support and professional counseling.

Yoon Jong-jang, Director of Welfare at Seoul City, stated, “The AI Two-way Well-being Check Service is a model designed to enable citizens to actively participate in the care system by utilizing technology beyond simple well-being checks,” adding, “We will expand cooperation with private companies to build a more comprehensive social safety net.”

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