November is National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, a time to reflect on how emerging technologies can address the urgent need for brain health and dementia prevention. The latest advancements in AI for Alzheimer’s research are promising. AI models now achieve over 90% accuracy in detecting Alzheimer’s from brain scans, and even predict Alzheimer’s disease up to seven years before symptoms appear. Speech recognition technologies also show potential for early risk detection. But there is more.
According to the Lancet Commission’s 2020 report, almost 40% of dementia cases could be preventable through lifestyle modifications, and its recent 2024 update provides new evidence on risk factors and prevention. This means two things – on the one hand, each of us can take proactive steps to assess and address our personal brain fitness. On the other hand the prevention angle offers an opportunity for businesses to leverage pro-social AI — not only as a means to support brain health and combat Alzheimer’s but also as a catalyst of workforce productivity and well-being.
We will look in the following first at the business side, to conclude with personal take-aways to become our brain’s best buddy.
Building Cognitive Health At Work
A healthy workforce yields economic advantages: healthier employees are more engaged, take fewer sick days, and bring a positive impact on productivity. By incorporating pro-social AI into corporate wellness initiatives, companies can address Alzheimer’s prevention head-on, reducing turnover and demonstrating a strong commitment to employee well-being.
1. Lifelong Learning as a Cognitive Investment
The Lancet Commission emphasizes that nearly 7% of dementia risk is attributed to educational factors, particularly in early life. Early childhood development matters immensely. However, the benefits of learning extend far beyond childhood. Continuous intellectual engagement, problem-solving, and innovation foster what scientists call “cognitive reserve” — a buffer against age-related decline.
Businesses can take a proactive role here by integrating pro-social AI into employee development programs. For instance, personalized AI-powered platforms can tailor educational content that caters to individual cognitive strengths, learning styles, and interests. In a professional setting such a platform could adapt in real-time to an employee’s performance, titillate curiosity and encourage a growth mindset. This not only enhances career growth, and staff satisfaction but may contribute to long-term cognitive health by keeping the brain active and adaptable.
2. Preventing Midlife Depression
Depression in midlife increases Alzheimer’s risk according to the Lancet. Traditional approaches to mental health often focus on treating symptoms after they appear. Pro-social AI can enable proactive strategies for organically curated mental wellbeing, which is important for Alzheimer’s prevention. AI-powered wellbeing tools, for instance, can monitor indicators of workplace stress, predict burnout, and suggest tailored interventions — from mindfulness exercises to early 24/7 access to therapy resources.
By embedding these tools into corporate wellness programs, businesses support their employees’ mental well-being and reduce long-term dementia risk. Aligning both individual aspirations and organizational goals pro-social AI can serve to foster lifelong resilience, of individuals and the institutions they are part of.
3. Reducing Social Isolation
Another red flag identified by the Lancet Commission’s report is social isolation. In today’s era of remote and hybrid work, employees — especially older ones — may face challenges staying socially connected. Here, pro-social AI can bridge the gap by fostering meaningful workplace connections and enhancing a sense of belonging. If it is tailored, trained, tested and targeted to bring out the best in and for people AI can catalyze the feeling of connection and belonging. To be clear – this is not argument for AI as a placebo for human relationships, but rather an encouragement to use it in creative ways that ease the gap between needs and availability.
For example AI-powered platforms can identify employees at risk of isolation and facilitate opportunities for engagement through virtual team-building, mentorship programs, and purpose-driven projects. By creating channels for regular social interactions, AI can help mitigate the risks of isolation and even contribute to a more cohesive work environment.
4. Addressing Modifiable Lifestyle Risks
According to the Lancet’s updated report, many modifiable risk factors like smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, and physical inactivity significantly influence dementia risk. Here pro-social AI offers a new way to support employees in managing these lifestyle factors through personalized recommendations, gentle nudges, and real-time monitoring.
Already AI-enabled wellness apps encourage physical activity by tracking steps, recommending daily exercise routines, and offering incentives for healthy behaviors. Additionally, AI can provide reminders to take breaks, hydrate, and manage stress, supporting overall well-being and cognitive health. By systematically embedding these tools into the workplace, companies can create an environment that not only empowers employees to make healthier choices, but also gives them the feeling that they matter to their employer as human beings, beyond the deliverables that they produce.
A Future-Oriented Brain Health Strategy
The outlined initiatives are just some examples of the expanding potential to use AI in ways that serve people and business alike. Pro-social AI does not have to be an either-or equation. If it is addressed in a holistic way it is a win-win-win-win – for the humans we are, the companies we belong to, the countries we are part of and the society we represent. By investing in pro-social AI, businesses not only stay at the forefront of technological progress but underscore their dedication to social impact.
Integrating pro-social AI into Alzheimer’s prevention isn’t just about minimizing risks. Investing in the brain equals investing in human potential, and the economy that depends on it. The brain is adaptable and benefits from supportive environments that nurture cognitive health throughout life. By promoting cognitive resilience in the workplace, companies can foster an environment where employees continuously challenge themselves, stay connected, and build brain resilience.
A Personal Takeaway: Cultivating Double Literacy
As we navigate this promising intersection of AI and brain health, there’s a powerful opportunity for personal and professional growth. Regardless of age, cultivating double literacy – which refers to a holistic understanding of both natural intelligence (brain and body) and artificial intelligence — can empower each of us to take control of our cognitive health in a hybrid world. Steps to take :
Understanding Your Natural Intelligence
- Brain Health Basics: Educate yourself on the fundamentals of brain health. A strong understanding of how the brain functions can inform lifestyle choices that support long-term cognitive resilience.
- Mindfulness and Metacognition: Regular mindfulness practice enhances awareness of thought patterns, while metacognitive skills help us understand how we think and how these patterns affect our cognitive health.
- Physical Wellness: Remember that cognitive health is tightly linked to physical health. Regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, and adequate sleep are essential for maintaining a healthy brain.
Developing Algorithmic Literacy
- AI Fundamentals: Gain a foundational knowledge of AI and its applications at home and at work. Make you know what is it, and how it works.
- Ethical Considerations: Understand the ethical aspects of AI – from bias to data privacy. Instead of blind consumption we have the opportunity to make informed decisions about AI-powered tools.
- AI Tools for Cognitive Enhancement: Explore AI-based apps designed for brain training, stress management, and learning enhancement, using them to maximize your benefits.
A Symbiosis Of Natural And Artificial Intelligences
By cultivating double literacy we are better equipped to harness the complementarity of our natural and artificial intelligences. The goal is not to replace natural intelligence with artificial intelligence but to foster a partnership where one enhances the other. As Alzheimer’s cases rise and the importance of proactive brain health becomes clearer, the potential for AI to play a preventive role is there. This November, as we observe Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, let’s seize the opportunity to harness the potential of pro-social AI to protect our most precious asset – the brain as the treasure-chest of our natural intelligence.
