An 83-year-old woman named Mme R., who resides at the Ehpad de la Septfontoise in Tarn-et-Garonne, is part of an experiment using AI to support Alzheimer’s patients. Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disorder that affects memory, thinking, and the ability to perform daily tasks. Mme R. interacts with an AI named Livana through a phone, which has been programmed with personal details from her family and a psychologist. This allows Livana to mimic the voice of her grandson, Bastien. During these interactions, Mme R. often mentions paying her taxes, a recurring theme in her illness. The AI is used in a secure unit for Alzheimer’s patients and has been tested for several weeks. According to France-Alzheimer, about 1.4 million people in France live with Alzheimer’s. At the Septfontoise, seven out of 29 Alzheimer’s patients are using Livana, which helps calm them during agitated moments and provides engagement when staff are limited. It also helps reduce loneliness, as noted by a staff member who observed a previously quiet resident begin to speak after using the AI. However, the facility’s director stressed that AI cannot replace professional caregivers. In another part of France, at the Broca Living Lab, which is part of the Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), researchers are exploring how AI-powered humanoid and animal-like robots can assist elderly patients with cognitive disabilities. Two volunteers from the geriatric service participated in an experiment with Miroki, a humanoid robot with large ears and a cartoonish face. One resident, Michèle, suggested the robot could read books to those who are unable to, and Miroki engaged her in cognitive exercises designed to improve memory, attention, and language skills. Another resident, Ginette, was less receptive to Miroki but interacted with Paro, a therapeutic baby seal equipped with AI and sensors that adapt to the user’s behavior. Ginette noticed the seal’s movements and sounds, commenting on its “little hidden ears” and tail. According to Léa Vecchioni, a psychologist and research engineer at the Broca Living Lab, robots like Paro are used to encourage speech and calm patients, but they are not a substitute for human interaction, with therapists leading the sessions. Researchers at the Broca Living Lab, including Dr. Maribel Pino, are cautious about the broader use of AI and robotics in healthcare. While they recognize the potential for robots to perform simple tasks in hospitals, such as clearing trays or picking up objects, they emphasize that robots should not be seen as a replacement for human interaction. They stress the importance of clearly defining the roles and limitations of AI and robotic tools in healthcare. The goal is to use these technologies as supportive tools rather than as replacements for the care provided by human professionals.