Pattie Maes, PhD, Germeshausen Professor of Media Arts and Sciences at the MIT Media Lab, delivered a compelling keynote at the 3rd a2 National Symposium, held April 3–4, 2025, at the Harvard Club of Boston. Introduced by George Demiris, PhD, who serves as the Penn Integrates Knowledge Mary Alice Bennett University Professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Nursing and Perelman School of Medicine and as co-PI at PennAITech, Dr. Maes explored the intersection of artificial intelligence, wearable technology, and healthy aging.

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Her talk emphasized co-design with older adults to create empathetic, practical tools that enhance cognitive function, communication, and emotional well-being without replacing human connection. Through innovations such as the MemPal memory assistant, Dr. Maes illustrated how AI-powered devices can support independence and social connectedness in later life.

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The presentation aligns with the a2 Collective’s mission to accelerate the development of real-world, AI-enabled solutions that improve the lives of older adults, including those living with dementia, and their caregivers.

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Watch the full video above to explore how inclusive design and emerging technologies can shape a healthier future for aging populations.

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