We are happy to share the fantastic news that NWO/ZonMW recently awarded a multi-million dollar project to a broad consortium, led by our Expertise Center for Dementia & Technology.
This project, called QoLEAD (Quality of Life by use of Enabling AI in Dementia), will bridge the gap between artificial intelligence and warm care for people with dementia. In QoLEAD the focus is entirely on the quality of life of people with dementia and their environment. Together with them we will work on solutions to their challenges and wishes in important areas of life such as social contact, safety, meaning and personal autonomy. Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help with this because it can learn and adapt to different people in a variety of contexts. In this way, AI can gradually support people better and increase their well-being. Consider, for example, instruments that help people with memory complaints to remember daily things, or a navigation aid that gets to know and intuitively maps the meaningful locations in the immediate environment of a person with dementia.
An important goal of the project is to bring people from healthcare and the world of AI together. We want to build a bridge between healthcare professionals who know everything about dementia and researchers who understand algorithms. The intention is that we will look for solutions that really work together in a process of co-creation and co-design. Artificial intelligence is a means and not an end in itself – it does not necessarily always offer the only or best solution. We look at what people with dementia need, both at home and in a care environment. We also take into account how healthcare professionals work in practice and which technical innovations best suit this. Ultimately it is about the quality of care.
The QoLEAD project is a collaboration between TU/e and Maastricht University, Alzheimer Nederland, JAIN-TIGNL, Radboud University, TUDelft, TNO, UMCG, Fontys HS, UT/Tranzo, Rotterdam HS, UU, Vilans, , Avoord, Zonnehuisgroep Amstelland , Aunt Louise, SVRZ Service Center, UMCN/UKON, CZ and VGZ.
