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Sept / Oct 2026

Thrive in Business, Flourish in Life

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TABLEO FCO NTENTS 4 11

Ctrl+Alt+Decide : Lettin g Ch atGPT run your life.

welcome

10 Busin ess buzzw ords w e could h appily retire

If September feels a little like a second New Year, you're not alone. As summer fades and routines return, many of us find ourselves taking stock? looking for fresh ideas,

Th e Septem ber Reset: Five m in utes to a m ore productive m on th .

smarter ways to work and perhaps a little inspiration for the months ahead. In this issue of Pulse Life, we explore some of the biggest

20 26

Mon ey w orries can leave a lastin g m ark on th e brain , 80 year study sh ow s.

TikTok rich es : W h at's real, w h at's h ype an d w h at's sellin g you a dream .

conversations shaping modern life. Could artificial intelligence become your ultimate personal assistant? or are we in danger of letting ChatGPT run our lives? As AI

Whats on Guide

becomes increasingly woven into our daily routines, we

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where the balance lies between convenience and

examine how much control we're willing to hand over and dependence. Meanwhile, in a world that seems more connected than ever, loneliness remains a growing

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challenge. We investigate whether companion robots and AI-powered assistants could help fill the gap, and what the

Join , Mute, Nod, Repeat.

latest research says about technology's role in tackling

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social isolation. Studies suggest that while AI companions can offer support and connection, human relationships

38 Goodbye Ch ildh ood, Hello Em pty Nest

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still provide the strongest protection against loneliness. Looking for a practical reset after the summer slowdown? Our 5-Minute September Productivity Reset offers simple, achievable ways to regain focus, clear the clutter and build

Could robots h elp tackle lon elin ess? BBC's An n Droid raises question s about th e future of care.

momentum for the final quarter of the year. Alongside these features, you'll find our usual mix of business, lifestyle and wellbeing content designed to inform, entertain and inspire. Whether you're embracing new technology, chasing fresh goals or simply looking for a better work-life balance, we hope this issue helps you start the season with renewed energy and purpose. Happy reading.

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Ctrl+Alt+Decide: Lettin g Ch atGPT Run Your Life Need a recipe? Ask AI. Need an email written? Ask AI. Unsure about a career move, relationship problem, or life choice? Ask AI. ChatGPT has rapidly transformed from a productivity tool into a digital adviser for everyday existence. But beneath the convenience lies an uncomfortable question: if we constantly outsource the small decisions that shape who we are, are we also outsourcing the development of our own judgment, independence, and creativity? Artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT have become increasingly integrated into daily life. What began as a tool for answering questions and assisting with research is now being used for a wide range of routine activities, from planning meals and writing emails to choosing careers, managing relationships, making personal decisions and parenting our children. While these systems offer convenience and efficiency, the growing dependence on AI for mundane tasks and life choices raises important concerns about its impact on both individuals and society. One of the most significant risks is the gradual erosion of critical thinking skills. Many everyday decisions require people to weigh options, evaluate

information, and learn from experience. When individuals consistently outsource these responsibilities to an AI system, they may become less confident in their own judgment. Over time, this can weaken decision-making abilities and reduce the willingness to engage in independent thought. Just as reliance on GPS can diminish a person's sense of direction, excessive reliance on AI may diminish a person's capacity for reasoning and problem-solving. Another concern is the loss of personal agency. Life decisions, even seemingly minor ones, help shape an individual's identity and values. Choosing how to spend free time, resolve conflicts, or pursue goals involves reflection and self-understanding. When AI becomes a primary source of guidance, people may

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?Th e real problem is n ot w h eth er m ach in es th in k but w h eth er m en do.?

INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER Pr ot ect you r f u t u r e w it h u s

B. F. Skinner

begin to follow recommendations without fully considering whether those suggestions align with their own beliefs or circumstances. This can create a passive relationship with decision-making, where convenience takes precedence over personal growth. The social consequences are equally troubling. Human relationships are built through communication, empathy, and shared experiences. If people increasingly turn to AI for advice on friendships, family matters, or romantic relationships, they may become less likely to seek support from real people. This could weaken social bonds and reduce opportunities for meaningful human connection. Communities thrive when individuals rely on one another, not when they primarily consult algorithms. There are also broader societal risks associated with concentrating influence in AI systems. The recommendations generated by AI are shaped by training data, design choices, and the objectives of the organisations that create them. If millions of people begin relying on the same systems for guidance, there is a danger of reduced diversity in thought and decision-making. Society benefits from

a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and approaches to solving problems. Excessive dependence on AI could encourage conformity and discourage originality. Furthermore, AI systems are not infallible. They can produce inaccurate information, misunderstand context, or offer advice that is inappropriate for a particular situation. When people treat AI-generated responses as authoritative, mistakes can have real-world consequences. The convenience of instant answers may create a false sense of confidence in recommendations that should be carefully scrutinised. ChatGPT and similar tools undoubtedly provide valuable assistance in many situations. However, they should remain tools rather than substitutes for human judgment. A healthy society depends on individuals who think critically, make independent decisions, and maintain strong relationships with others. While AI can enhance productivity and access to information, allowing it to take over routine thinking and personal decision-making may ultimately weaken the very skills that make individuals and communities resilient.

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10 Busin ess Buzzw ords W e Could Happily Retire Every workplace has its own language. Somewhere between meetings, emails and strategy sessions, perfectly ordinary words become corporate catchphrases that are repeated so often they begin to lose all meaning. While a little jargon can be useful, some business buzzwords have been stretched, squeezed and recycled to the point of exhaustion.

North West 4. Touch Base Once a perfectly innocent sporting reference, it has become shorthand for scheduling a conversation that could probably have been an email. 5. Pivot Start-ups love it. Consultants love it. Executives love it. Yet "pivot" often translates simply as "our original plan didn't work." 6. Disr upt iv e Every company seems to want to disrupt something. The trouble is that not every new product, app or service is revolutionary. Sometimes it's just another product. 7. Thought Leader Originally intended to describe genuine experts, the phrase is now so widely used that almost anyone with a LinkedIn account appears to qualify. 8. Deep Div e

Here are ten that many of us would be perfectly happy to retire.

What sounds like an exploration of complex ideas often becomes a lengthy meeting with too many slides and not enough conclusions.

1. Sy ner gy

9. Lev er age

The classic buzzword. In theory, it means different teams working together effectively. In practice, it usually means "let's all have another meeting about working together."

A simple word like "use" somehow became "leverage." Why use a straightforward term when a longer one will do? 10. Going For war d

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A favourite in offices everywhere. Sometimes it genuinely means "let's revisit this later." More often, it's a polite way of postponing a decision indefinitely.

No one has ever suggested doing something "going backward," yet this phrase appears in countless presentations and emails every single day.

3. Low- Hanging Fr uit Nobody is entirely sure why business discussions became obsessed with fruit, but this phrase appears whenever someone wants the quickest and easiest solution.

Perhaps it's time to retire a few of these well-worn phrases and replace them with something refreshingly simple: plain English. Going forward, of course.

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Th e Septem ber Reset: Five Min utes to a More Productive Mon th Summer is over, the holidays are behind us and suddenly September arrives with the same energy as a new year. The days become more structured, inboxes start filling up again and diaries quickly become crowded with meetings, events and deadlines.

workspace feel lighter and more manageable.

It's no surprise that many people view September as a second January? a chance to reset, refocus and get organised before the final stretch of the year.

Minute Two: Write Down Your Top Three Priorities

The good news? You don't need a complete life overhaul to feel more productive. Sometimes, a few small changes can make a surprisingly big difference. Here is a simple five-minute productivity reset to help you start September feeling focused and in control. Minute One: Clear Your Digital Clutter

While you're there, close the browser tabs you've been keeping open "just in case" since June. If you're not using them now, you probably won't be using them tomorrow either.

One of the biggest productivity mistakes is trying to do everything at once. Instead, grab a notebook or open a blank document and write down the three most important things you want to achieve this month. Not twenty. Not ten. Three.

Now delete, archive or unsubscribe from five things you no longer need.

Whether it's landing a new client, improving your fitness routine or finally tackling that lingering project, identifying your priorities creates clarity and helps prevent distractions from taking over.

A cluttered inbox can create a constant feeling of unfinished business. Removing even a handful of unnecessary emails immediately makes your

Successful people aren't necessarily doing more? they're often doing fewer things more deliberately.

Open your inbox.

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North West September carries a natural sense of renewal. The back-to-school atmosphere, changing seasons and return to routine often encourage reflection and fresh starts. Unlike January, September also comes without the pressure of ambitious resolutions and unrealistic expectations.

Minute Three: Review Your Calendar Take a quick look at the next four weeks. Are there meetings that no longer need to happen? Have you scheduled time for important projects, or have you simply filled every available space with appointments? Many people carefully schedule meetings but leave their most important work to chance. Block out time for focused work just as you would for any other commitment. If it matters, put it in the diary. Minute Four: Create a "Stop Doing" List To-do lists get all the attention, but a stop-doing list can be just as valuable. Ask yourself one simple question: What is wasting my time? Maybe it's checking emails every ten minutes. Maybe it's endless scrolling between tasks. Maybe it's saying yes to commitments you don't really have time for. Productivity isn't always about adding new habits.

Sometimes it's about removing the behaviours that quietly drain your energy and attention.

At its best, productivity is simply about spending more time on the things that matter and less time on the things that don't. As autumn begins and the final months of the year come into view, resist the temptation to overhaul everything at once. Instead, take five minutes.

It's less about becoming a completely different person and more about making small adjustments that improve daily life.

Clear a little space. Refocus your priorities. Remove a distraction. Create a small win.

Progress, Not Perfection

Sometimes that's all it takes to turn a busy September into a productive one.

Productivity isn't about colour-coded planners, complicated systems or squeezing more hours into the day.

Choose one thing to stop doing this month and see how much time it gives back. Minute Five: Plan One Small Win Big goals are inspiring, but small wins create momentum. Before you move on with your day, identify one action you can complete within the next 24 hours. Send the email. Book the meeting. Start the proposal. Make the phone call. The goal is to create movement. Once you take the first step, the next one usually becomes easier. Why September Feels Different There is a reason so many people feel motivated at this time of year.

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Money worries can leave a lasting mark on the brain, 80?year study shows Jacques Wels Principal Investigator, Unit for Lifelong Health & Ageing, UCL

Money worries can keep us up at night, but could decades of financial stress leave a lasting mark on the brain itself ? That?s the question my colleagues and I set out to answer in a new study ? and the answer, it turns out, is yes. Most research on money and brain health looks at people?s financial circumstances at just one point in time. This makes it hard to know whether a few difficult years have the same effect as decades of enduring struggle. For our study, published in the journal Innovation in Aging, we tracked the same people throughout their adult lives to find out. We used data from the MRC National Survey of

Health and Development, also known as the 1946 British birth cohort study. A cohort study follows a group of people born in the same period throughout their lives. This is the world?s longest continuously running study of its kind, tracking thousands of people born in one week in March 1946 ? participants who celebrated their 80th birthdays earlier this year. The study?s origins go back to the economic anxieties of the 1930s, when the Great Depression left many families worrying about money and the cost of raising children ? making it a fitting dataset to revisit those same questions decades later. Using

this rich resource, we examined the financial circumstances of 2,759 participants at multiple points across adulthood. Participants reported their household income at ages 26, 43 and 53. We classed those in the bottom 20% of the group on at least two of these occasions as having persistent low income ? about one in six people. Separately, we measured financial hardship by asking whether people struggled to manage on their income or had trouble paying bills, at least twice between ages 36 and 53. This applied to about one in eight. At age 53, participants took tests of verbal memory

and processing speed. A smaller group also had brain scans between ages 69 and 71, which let us measure brain atrophy (shrinkage) and ventricular expansion ? the widening of fluid-filled cavities within the brain, a recognised marker of poor brain health. We found that people who had experienced more financial hardship and low income scored lower on the cognitive tests at age 53. These links held even after we accounted for their childhood thinking skills, education and childhood disadvantage. Among those who had brain scans, persistent low income was linked to greater brain shrinkage in

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later life.

Why would money worries harm the brain?

When we looked at how memory changed from age 53 to 69, those who had faced persistent hardship actually showed slower decline over that period. We believe this is because they had already lost more ground by age 53 ? they started from a lower point, so there was less left to lose.

How might financial hardship affect the brain over time? Chronic stress is known to increase inflammation, which accelerates brain ageing. There is also the simple fact that constantly worrying about money uses up mental energy, leaving less capacity for other thinking tasks ? a cognitive load that competes with everything else the brain is trying to do.

We also found that the link between financial adversity and brain shrinkage was stronger for men, for those who grew up in disadvantaged homes, and for carriers of a gene that raises the risk of developing Alzheimer?s disease. For men of this generation ? born in 1946, when the male breadwinner model was the norm ? the pressure of being the main earner may have made financial stress more acute. Disadvantaged men also had higher rates of smoking and drinking than disadvantaged women. The finding on genetic risk suggests that people who are already biologically vulnerable may be more susceptible to the effects of financial strain. These subgroup findings are based on smaller numbers within our sample, so we are treating them as suggestive rather than conclusive.

We acknowledge that our study cannot prove cause and effect, and the results, drawn from a single generation of British adults, may not apply directly to other populations or countries. But following the same people over many years gives us a clearer picture than studies that only look at a single moment in time. Financial hardship is increasingly recognised as one of several factors ? alongside things such as hearing loss, smoking and physical inactivity ? that may shape our risk of cognitive decline in later life. Our findings suggest that reducing chronic financial hardship among working-age adults, wherever they live, could help protect brain health and potentially reduce dementia cases in the future.

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North East Scroll through TikTok for just a few minutes and you're likely to encounter someone claiming they've discovered the secret to financial freedom. One creator promises six-figure earnings from a side hustle. Another says they made thousands of pounds in passive income while sleeping. Others showcase luxury cars, exotic holidays, and designer wardrobes as proof that their methods work. The hashtag ecosystem surrounding personal finance, entrepreneurship, and wealth creation has exploded in recent years. Millions of users now turn to TikTok for financial education, business inspiration, and investment ideas. While some creators provide genuinely useful insights, the platform has also become a breeding ground for exaggerated claims, misleading success stories, and unrealistic expectations. As TikTok continues to influence how people think about money, understanding how to separate valuable advice from empty promises has become an essential skill. Why Get-Rich-Quick Content Thrives on TikTok TikTok's algorithm rewards content that captures attention quickly. Videos that generate strong emotional reactions? whether excitement, envy, curiosity, or fear of missing out? often perform well. This creates the perfect environment for financial content that promises dramatic results. A video titled "How I Made £10,000 in a Month" is far more likely to attract viewers than one called "How I Slowly Built Wealth Over Ten Years." The problem is that genuine wealth creation is rarely exciting. Building a successful business, developing expertise, investing consistently, or advancing a career typically requires years of

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As a result, many creators focus on outcomes rather than processes. Viewers see the luxury lifestyle but not the years of work, failed projects, financial risk, or privileged circumstances that may have contributed to the success. The Appeal of Financial Shortcut s The popularity of get-rich-quick content reflects broader economic realities. Rising living costs, housing affordability challenges, student debt, and economic uncertainty have left many people searching for ways to improve their financial situation. For younger audiences in particular, traditional paths to financial security can feel increasingly out of reach. When someone on TikTok claims they've found a faster route to wealth, the message resonates.

The desire for financial improvement is entirely reasonable. The danger arises when people mistake exceptional success stories for typical outcomes. A strategy that worked for one individual under specific circumstances may not be easily replicated by millions of viewers. Signs That Advice May Be Wort h Following Not all TikTok financial content is problematic. In fact, many creators provide practical guidance that can help viewers make better financial decisions. One positive sign is transparency. Credible creators tend to discuss both successes and failures. They acknowledge risks, explain challenges, and avoid presenting wealth creation as effortless. Useful advice is usually specific and actionable. Rather than making vague promises, trustworthy creators explain the steps involved, the skills required, the time commitment, and the realistic expectations.

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Another indicator is consistency with established financial principles. Advice focused on budgeting, increasing income, developing valuable skills, investing regularly, reducing unnecessary debt, or building businesses often aligns with proven wealth-building strategies.

in sustainable wealth creation. Schemes that rely primarily on recruiting others, exploiting loopholes, or chasing trends often prove less durable. A Balanced Approach to Financial Content TikTok can be a valuable source of inspiration and education. Many users have discovered useful productivity techniques, entrepreneurial ideas, and financial concepts through the platform.

Credible creators also encourage independent research. They recognise that no single video can provide complete financial guidance and urge viewers to verify information before making significant decisions.

However, viewers should treat viral financial content as a starting point rather than a blueprint for success.

Warning Signs to Watch For Several red flags should immediately trigger scepticism. The first is the promise of guaranteed returns. In finance and business, guarantees are rare. Any creator claiming that a particular investment, side hustle, or strategy is virtually risk-free deserves careful scrutiny. Another warning sign is excessive focus on luxury lifestyles. Expensive cars, watches, and holidays are often used as marketing tools rather than evidence of expertise. In some cases, the lifestyle itself becomes the product being sold. Be cautious of creators who generate urgency. Statements such as "Act now before it's too late" or "This opportunity won't last" are common sales tactics designed to encourage impulsive decisions.

A lack of transparency is equally concerning. If someone claims extraordinary earnings but provides little explanation of how those results were achieved, viewers should remain cautious. Finally, pay attention to how creators make money. Some individuals earn far more from selling courses, memberships, mentorship programmes, or affiliate products than from the wealth-building strategy they are promoting. The Importance of Verifying Claims One of the simplest ways to evaluate financial advice is to cross-check it with multiple reputable

sources. If a creator recommends a particular investment approach, look for information from established financial institutions, industry experts, and recognised publications. If a business opportunity appears too good to be true, investigate independent reviews and experiences. It is also helpful to ask a simple question: does this strategy create real value? Businesses that solve problems, professionals who develop expertise, and investors who participate in productive economic activity are generally engaged

The most reliable path to wealth remains remarkably consistent: develop valuable skills, create or contribute value, manage money responsibly, invest thoughtfully, and maintain a long-term perspective. These principles may not generate millions of views or dramatic before-and-after videos, but they have one advantage over most get-rich-quick schemes: they actually work. In an age of viral financial advice, perhaps the most valuable skill is not finding the next shortcut to wealth, but learning how to recognise the difference between genuine opportunity and clever marketing.

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Join , M u t e, Nod, Repeat Behind every professional Zoom call is a little bit of chaos.

Translation: I was eating.

minutes of conversation.

Coffee, biscuits, lunch, crisps? Zoom has seen it all. The mute button has become our digital cloak of invisibility.

Wonder Whether We're Still on Mute

Pretend We're Taking Notes Sometimes we're genuinely taking notes. Other times we're checking emails, scrolling the news or adding something to an online shopping basket. The occasional strategic typing sound helps maintain the illusion of productivity. Panic When Someone Says Our Name Nothing turns a relaxed Zoom attendee into a startled deer faster than: "Sarah, what do you think?" Suddenly we're sitting upright, closing tabs and desperately trying to reconstruct the last two

There was a time when a video call felt like a novelty. Now, it's simply another part of working life. We know the etiquette, we know the buttons and, theoretically, we know how to behave. But behind those carefully framed backgrounds and professional smiles, we're not always quite as focused as we appear. Here are some of the things we all secretly do on Zoom calls. Check How We Look You tell yourself you're checking whether the camera is working. You're not. You're checking your hair, your lighting, your expression and whether you somehow look exhausted despite having had three coffees. Once you notice your own face on screen, it's surprisingly difficult to stop looking at it. Nod Even When We Have No Idea What's Going On

Someone has been talking for ten minutes about a project you vaguely remember being mentioned in an email. You don't understand the latest development. So you nod. Add a thoughtful smile and hope nobody asks you a question. Check Who's on the Call Even with 20 people attending, you'll scan the participant list. Who's here? Who's missing? Why is the CEO here? And who has mysteriously chosen to keep their camera off ? It's the digital equivalent of looking around a conference room. Eat "Sorry, I was on mute."

Even when we're certain we're muted, there's always that moment of doubt. Did everyone hear that? The kettle? The dog? Something we definitely shouldn't have said? Zoom may have changed how we work, but it hasn't changed human nature. Behind every polished background is someone checking their reflection, eating a snack and quietly wondering how much longer the meeting will last. And chances are, everyone else is doing exactly the same.

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South West Why Does It Hit So Hard?

Goodbye Ch ildh ood, Hello Em pty Nest

For years, parenting shapes the rhythm of everyday life. School runs, football matches, exam stress, family meals and endless logistics become part of a parent's identity. When a child leaves home, that structure changes almost overnight. The transition is about more than missing someone's presence. It can also trigger deeper questions about purpose, identity and the next stage of life. Parents may find themselves wondering: Who am I when I'm no longer needed in the same way? What do I do with this extra time? What happens to my relationship with my partner, friends or career now that parenting is no longer at the centre of everything?

The car is packed. The duvet is squeezed into a vacuum bag. There are enough instant noodles to survive the first term. After months of preparation, the day finally arrives: your teenager heads off to university. For many parents, the emotions are surprisingly intense. Pride, excitement and relief often sit alongside sadness, anxiety and an unexpected sense of loss. One moment you've been reminding them to empty the dishwasher; the next, you're standing in a suddenly quiet house

wondering what comes next.

than sadness alone. Relief, pride, excitement and freedom can coexist with grief and anxiety. You're Not Missing the Laundry One of the most interesting aspects of empty nest syndrome is that parents are often surprised by what they miss. It's not necessarily the piles of washing, the untidy bedrooms or the constant requests for lifts. It's the small moments. The sound of someone coming through the front door. The casual conversations in the kitchen. The arguments over what's for dinner. The sense of family life happening around you.

Adding to the emotional impact is the fact that university is often a symbol of growing independence. For many parents, it is the first tangible sign that childhood is over and adulthood has begun.

As one university wellbeing expert observed, parents often discover that beneath the complaints about mess and noise is a genuine sense of loss when those everyday interactions disappear.

The Signs of Empt y Nest Syndrome

How to Get to Grips Wit h It

The experience varies from person to person. Some parents feel only mild sadness, while others describe a genuine sense of grief.

The good news is that empty nest syndrome is usually temporary. Most parents gradually adjust and often discover unexpected benefits in this new chapter of life.

Common signs include: Allow Yourself to Feel It

Welcome to what is commonly known as empty nest syndrome. While not a clinical diagnosis, empty nest syndrome describes the feelings of sadness, loneliness, grief and identity loss that many parents experience when children leave home. It is particularly common when a child leaves for university, often marking the first significant separation after nearly two decades of daily family life.

- Feeling unusually emotional after university drop-off day - A sense of loneliness or emptiness at home - Worrying excessively about your child - Loss of motivation or purpose - Difficulty adjusting to a quieter household - Changes in sleep, appetite or mood - Feeling uncertain about your role as a parent Importantly, these feelings are normal. Many parents experience a mixture of emotions rather

Many parents feel guilty for being upset. After all, university is a positive milestone. Your child is growing, learning and becoming independent. But acknowledging sadness doesn't diminish your pride. Both emotions can exist simultaneously.

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?Th ere are tw o lastin g gifts w e can give our ch ildren . On e is roots. Th e oth er is w in gs.?

Some couples rediscover shared interests and enjoy spending more time together. Others realise that family life had become their primary focus and need time to reconnect. Likewise, friendships often become a valuable source of support during this transition. A New Chapter, Not the End of One The phrase "empty nest" can sound bleak, but it doesn't tell the whole story.

Hoddin g Carter

Give yourself permission to recognise that this is a significant life transition. Suppressing feelings often makes them harder to process.

Many parents discover that quality matters more than quantity. A meaningful conversation once a week can often be more valuable than daily check-ins.

University isn't the end of family life. It's the beginning of a different kind of relationship. Your teenager returns home with new experiences, new opinions and a growing sense of independence. Conversations evolve. Family dynamics shift. The bond changes, but it doesn't

disappear. In fact, many parents report that after the initial adjustment, they develop stronger and more rewarding relationships with their adult children than ever before. The quiet house may feel strange at first. But it is also a reminder that you have done your job well. The goal of parenting was never to keep them close forever. It was to help them become capable enough to leave. And while that can be difficult, it is also something worth celebrating.

Redefine Your Role Reconnect With Yourself Your child still needs you. The difference is that they need you differently. Instead of solving every problem, your role increasingly becomes one of guidance, encouragement and support. Learning to step back can be challenging, but it is also an important part of helping your young adult build confidence and resilience. Stay Connected? Without Hovering Technology has made it easier than ever to stay in touch. Regular messages, video calls and family group chats can provide reassurance for both parents and students. The key is finding a balance that allows connection without constant monitoring.

For years, much of your energy has been focused on raising a child. Now is an opportunity to revisit interests that may have been placed on hold. That might mean travelling more, taking up a hobby, volunteering, joining a club, pursuing a fitness goal or focusing on career ambitions. Parents who actively create new routines often adapt more successfully to an empty nest than those who simply wait for the feeling to pass.

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Could robots help tackle loneliness? BBC?s Ann Droid raises questions about the future of care

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Maria Jose Galvez Trigo Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Human-Centred Robotics and AI, Cardiff University

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Paul Willis Professor of Social Care, Cardiff University

New BBC sitcom Ann Droid imagines a near future in which robots provide care and companionship to older people at home.

series exaggerates what robots can currently do, some of the technology it depicts is already being tested.

The series centres on Sue, a recent widow played by Sue Johnston, her hapless son Michael and Linda, an assistive care robot played by Diane Morgan. Linda is designed to provide daily support and companionship, with predictably comic results.

A social enterprise in south-west England has been piloting Comfort Companions in partnership with Age UK South Gloucestershire. AI-generated personas offer conversation and guidance to older people living alone and at risk of loneliness.

As researchers in social care, ageing and human-centred robotics, we obviously watched Ann Droid with a keen eye. Beneath the jokes are questions that researchers are already tackling.

It runs alongside Age UK?s volunteer programme, with befrienders helping older people learn how to use the app. The AI companions are intended to supplement the waiting list for human befrienders rather than replacing them.

Could robots help address loneliness among older people? Can a machine provide companionship without replacing human connection? While the

Physical robots are being tested too. West Berkshire Council has been running a trial using robotic pets in

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its care homes.

Ann Droid also plays on a more instinctive discomfort: should we trust a machine that?s designed to look after us? The sitcom playfully touches on public worries about interacting with robotic companions, including people?s distrust and worries about potential harms. For example, in one episode two robots enjoy a joke together about killing their human companions.

Neither scheme offers robots who look like Linda. Current systems tend to be AI avatars on a screen or robotic cats or dogs, or speakers that provide a voice in the room. They do much less than Linda too. They can?t help someone up after a fall, wash them or get them dressed. What technology does currently do best is monitoring and prompting. Systems that can detect a fall and alert another person are far more mature, while technology can also encourage someone to contact friends, make a phone call, or get out of the house.

Research suggests that older people can see value in companion robots. But acceptance depends partly on whether people feel they remain in control. And appearance is a factor too.

Can a machine make you less lonely?

In 1970, the roboticist Masahiro Mori proposed the idea of the ?uncanny valley?. As machines become more human-like, we initially respond more positively to them. But when they look almost human without quite getting there, that warmth can turn into discomfort.

It?s worth considering this distinction because loneliness is not simply the same as being alone. It?s a personal feeling that our relationships are insufficient, accompanied by a desire for more or better social contact. A robot companion, therefore, is unlikely to solve loneliness simply by being present. What matters is the quality of the interaction and whether technology can help someone maintain relationships with the people who matter to them. This is one of the more interesting ideas in Ann Droid. Linda can sometimes strengthen Sue?s existing relationships rather than replace them, encouraging her to meet friends and plan activities outside the home. That?s potentially a more useful way to think about companion technology. The goal need not be to create an artificial friend who substitutes for a human one, but to help people

remain connected to others. The barriers are still substantial. Battery life is a limitation. Most humanoid robots manage between 90 minutes and five hours per charge when new. This is why an overnight camping trip featured in the sitcom is a fair test on the fantasy. Robots are much better at some tasks than others. A machine may be able to play chess, for example, but picking up an unfamiliar household object in the real world remains surprisingly difficult. The social barriers are even harder. Robots struggle

with the social subtleties that people take for granted. Systems that learn by copying human behaviour can reproduce an action without understanding its intention. They also cannot reliably interpret facial expressions. A review of systems designed to detect emotion from faces found that they performed worst when interpreting older faces, with anger and neutral expressions among the least reliably identified. This is important in care because recognising how someone is feeling can be crucial. Would we trust a robot carer?

Robots have some obvious advantages. They don?t get bored, tired or impatient. They can handle dangerous tasks and they?re available at 3am. But they can?t provide something fundamental to care: a relationship in which both people choose to be there. That?s the bond that no machine can supply. Robots may have a useful role in social care, but they?re worth having only when people want them, alongside human care and companionship. Otherwise, we risk finding an expensive technological answer to a much harder question: why do some older people have so little human contact in the first place?

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