Bank's AI Comes Up Short for Seniors

A video of a 94-year-old woman who wasn’t tall enough to use the facial recognition camera at an ATM and needed her son to lift her up to reach it raised public concern about senior citizens in the AI era. Some on social media questioned why the Agricultural Bank of China branch in Guangshui, Hubei Province was not providing alternatives for those who have difficulties using AI technology. In response, the bank branch issued an apology to their elderly customer who had visited to activate her social security card, saying they should have provided her with door-to-door service. The news highlighted lingering issues involving the elderly struggling with new technologies such as AI. For example, some seniors were reportedly turned away from stores and even subways because they did not have the QR-based health code app used during pandemic controls. In late November, China’s State Council released an implementing program that would require businesses and public facilities to maintain traditional service alternatives for seniors.