What if an artificial intelligence could call your elderly loved ones for you — every day? That’s the premise behind inTouch, a Franco-Czech startup offering a service that aims to ease senior isolation. Promoted as a caring tool for maintaining daily contact with older relatives, this innovation is as intriguing as it is unsettling.
The concept is straightforward: a lifelike AI-generated voice — known as “Mary” — makes daily phone calls to your parents or grandparents, whether they have a landline or a mobile phone. These aren’t automated reminders, but real conversations, tailored to each individual’s age, interests, and memories. After each call, family members receive a short summary and a mood score.
A Familiar Voice, But Not a Familiar Face
inTouch doesn’t require a smartphone or app. The AI simply calls, speaks, listens, and adapts. Its tone is warm, conversational, and eerily human. It might sound comforting — especially for families separated by distance — but critics are asking: is it still a human connection if it’s powered by code?
A Thoughtful Idea or an Emotional Shortcut?
The idea came from personal experience. Founder Vassili Le Moigne, living far from his mother, wanted a way to keep in touch across borders. The intention is heartfelt. But reactions online reveal a more complex emotional terrain. Should we really be outsourcing our family calls to a machine?
Even if the startup insists it’s not meant to replace human interaction, inTouch’s underlying message is telling: it’s for people who “don’t have the time” to call. That strikes a nerve, especially when directed at a generation already vulnerable to loneliness.
Well-Engineered… But At What Emotional Cost?
Technologically, the service is impressive. The AI can interact in over 40 languages, trigger memory-stimulating topics, and even deliver voice messages recorded by family members. It’s currently being used in more than 100 countries, proving there’s a demand. But still — does efficiency justify emotional distance?
When Tech Highlights a Deeper Disconnect
inTouch isn’t the first, nor will it be the last, tool to use AI to fill emotional gaps. But it reflects a broader societal shift: as our schedules overflow, the elderly often become invisible — cared for, but not connected.
The real question isn’t whether inTouch works — it does. It’s whether it answers the right problem. Is this clever tech filling a need, or just helping us avoid a responsibility?
Perhaps it’s both. But one thing’s clear: it’s no longer just about what AI can do — it’s about what we’re willing to let it replace.
