Tainan launches Taiwan's first AI indoor high-temperature warning system to care for elderly

Tainan City has pioneered an innovative AI-driven indoor high-temperature early warning system aimed at safeguarding elderly residents from the escalating risks of extreme heat. This initiative, the first of its kind in Taiwan, combines artificial intelligence with big data analysis to proactively identify at-risk individuals and areas.

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Influenced by climate change, extreme high temperatures have become a significant challenge for urban governance. The elderly, the elderly living alone, and vulnerable groups need society's joint protection even more.

Mayor Huang Wei-che personally led the first frontline visits in Yujing District, an area known for experiencing some of the highest temperatures in the country. Accompanied by officials from social welfare and environmental departments, the mayor visited elderly individuals living alone who are protected by the new warning system. During these visits, he assessed their living conditions and health, distributed heat-relief supplies, and reminded them to take necessary precautions against sun exposure and heat.

"Influenced by climate change, extreme high temperatures have become a significant challenge for urban governance," Mayor Huang stated. He emphasized the critical need for societal protection for the elderly, particularly those living alone and vulnerable populations. Beyond traditional outreach and heatstroke prevention campaigns, Tainan has introduced micro-insurance for high temperatures and, this year, collaborated with the Environmental Protection Administration to establish the AI early warning mechanism.

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In addition to continuing home visits, phone check-ins, and heatstroke prevention campaigns, we have taken the lead in introducing micro-insurance for high temperatures. This year, we are collaborating with the Environmental Protection Administration to build Taiwan's first AI indoor high-temperature early warning system.

The system allows frontline social workers to anticipate risks and shift care services from reactive responses to proactive prevention. Mayor Huang highlighted that this three-pronged defense, combining high-temperature outreach, micro-insurance, and the early warning system, demonstrates Tainan's determination to address climate change impacts and build a resilient city. The system involves installing connected devices within homes to monitor indoor temperatures and alert relevant authorities when thresholds are breached.

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Combining high-temperature care visits, high-temperature micro-insurance, and the high-temperature early warning mechanism as three lines of defense allows us to identify elders who need assistance in advance, enabling frontline personnel to intervene in a timely manner. It also demonstrates Tainan's determination to respond to climate change and build a resilient city.