SKT's 'Dunoe Toktok' Use Leads to "Dementia Incidence Reduced to One-Fifth"

'Dunoe Toktok' 2-Year Use Dementia High-Risk Group Analysis
Appears Low at 3.24% in Analysis Group
"Advancing AI Service to Aid Elderly Population"

SK Telecom announced on the 11th that its AI speaker-based memory training program, ‘Dunoe Toktok,’ has been evaluated to have an effect in reducing the incidence rate of dementia among the elderly. Since June 2021 until last June, SKT conducted a dementia prevention Social Impact Bond (SIB) project targeting elderly residents in Buyeo-gun, providing cognitive therapy and the AI-based ‘Dunoe Toktok’ service to those with mild cognitive impairment, a high-risk group for dementia. Mild cognitive impairment refers to a high-risk group just before dementia.

SKT's 'Dunoe Toktok' Use Leads to "Dementia Incidence Reduced to One-Fifth"

A family in Seongdong-gu using AI care services. [Photo by SKT]

During the two-year project period, only about 1 out of 30 elderly people with mild cognitive impairment progressed to dementia. The dementia incidence rate among the subjects was recorded at 3.24%. This is significantly lower compared to the usual annual dementia incidence rate of about 15%. Ilsan Paik Hospital, the project evaluation institution, stated that although there is still one year left in the project period, the current results confirm the effectiveness of the ‘Dunoe Toktok’ program.

The Buyeo-gun Social Impact Bond project was operated by Pan Impact Korea, with Ma-eum Kkok, Happiness Connect, and CHA University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation as executors. Happiness Sharing Foundation, Korea Social Value Solidarity Fund, and MY Social Company participated as private investors. SKT expects that the ‘Dunoe Toktok’-based Social Impact Bond project will serve as a measure for local governments, where aging is rapidly progressing, to reduce human and material burdens and prepare for an aging society.

Jonghwan Eom, Head of ESG Innovation at SK Telecom, said, “We have confirmed that SKT’s AI technology-based cognitive training service has an effect in reducing the incidence rate of dementia,” adding, “We will continue efforts to expand and advance AI services that help the elderly population in preparation for a super-aged society.”