Ulsan City Establishes a Comprehensive Welfare Safety Net with AI-Based Care Services

Expansion of AI and ICT-Based Welfare Services
Strengthening the Honorary Social Welfare Officer System
Addressing Welfare Blind Spots

In response to the increasing aging population and the rise of single-person households, Ulsan City has begun providing AI-based care services to establish a comprehensive welfare safety net.

By integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and information and communication technology (ICT) into the welfare sector, the city is working with relevant organizations on various projects aimed at preventing solitary deaths and addressing welfare blind spots.

The 'AI Speaker Care Service' offers emotional conversations, medication and schedule reminders, dementia prevention content, music, and mental and physical relaxation programs. Notably, in case of an emergency, users can request immediate assistance 24 hours a day.

During the pilot project in 2023, there was a case where an elderly person in their 80s living alone in Ulju County used the AI speaker to report an emergency and received a 119 rescue. This year, six emergency transport cases have also been reported.

Based on these results, the support has recently been expanded from elderly, disabled, and middle-aged single-person households to include recently discharged patients and residents of temporary housing facilities, allowing more citizens to benefit from the service.

Ulsan City is also operating an ICT-based Emergency Safety and Security Service.

Currently, home equipment has been installed for 6,542 individuals, including elderly people living alone, to detect emergency calls, fires, and activity levels. In the event of an emergency, the system is set up to promptly report to the 119 Fire Safety Center.

Additionally, by analyzing 47 types of big data, including water, gas, health insurance, and telecommunications fees, the city is proactively identifying welfare blind spots. Every two months, information on approximately 4,000 households showing signs of crisis is reported to local administrative welfare centers for tailored support and linkage.

This year, Ulsan also established the 'Honorary Social Welfare Officer Activity Support Center' to further promote the system. Ulsan is the first metropolitan city in the nation to centrally manage honorary social welfare officers and operate a dedicated support center.

Currently, about 5,000 people are active in this role, responsible for early identification of households in welfare crisis, promoting welfare information, and reporting crises.

An official from Ulsan City stated, "We will further expand AI care services next year and, in connection with the honorary social welfare officer system, provide meticulous welfare support to citizens in need. We ask for your continued interest and participation in the ongoing recruitment of honorary social welfare officers."

Any Ulsan citizen may apply to become an honorary social welfare officer. Depending on their activity record, benefits such as recognition of volunteer hours, awards for outstanding service, and badges are provided. Applications can be submitted at local administrative welfare centers or the Ulsan Metropolitan City Honorary Social Welfare Officer Activity Support Center.

Ulsan City Hall.