AI service uses power, communication data to detect risks for vulnerable single-person households

Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and SK Telecom have jointly developed an "AI Loneliness Death Prevention Service" that utilizes everyday data to identify and alert authorities about vulnerable individuals living alone. This innovative service, which earned a special top prize at the 11th HumanTech Award, analyzes patterns in electricity consumption and communication usage to detect potential emergencies.

The service aims to address the increasing societal problem of "death from loneliness," particularly among the elderly and growing number of single-person households. By analyzing existing data streams, the AI can identify deviations from normal living patterns. For instance, a significant and prolonged drop in electricity usage might indicate that a person is incapacitated or has passed away. Similarly, changes in communication patterns could also trigger an alert.

A key feature of this service is its ability to operate without the need for installing additional cameras or dedicated sensors in individuals' homes. It leverages KEPCO's intelligent power metering system (AMI) and SK Telecom's communication usage data. The AI system learns the normal daily routines of each household and flags any complex or significant deviations as potential warning signs. This approach significantly reduces privacy concerns associated with installing monitoring devices, as it relies on existing infrastructure.

Launched in 2019 through a partnership between KEPCO and SK Telecom, the service is currently operational in 144 local government districts, representing about 64% of all basic local administrative units in South Korea. Approximately 15,000 vulnerable individuals are directly benefiting from the service. The judges praised the system for its potential to become a truly innovative social safety net, capable of encompassing not only elderly single-person households but also isolated youths and individuals with disabilities who may be disconnected from social support networks.

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If properly implemented, it can become an innovative social safety net.