AI Companion Robot Subsidy Policy for Elderly Living Alone Released: Ministry of Civil Affairs Includes Smart Companionship in Basic Elderly Service List

On April 4, the Ministry of Civil Affairs and Ministry of Finance jointly issued the "Notice on Including Smart Companion Equipment in Basic Elderly Service Subsidies," specifying that elderly persons aged 80 and above living alone can apply for a free AI companion robot, while those aged 70 to 80 living alone can receive an 80% purchase subsidy. The policy covers approximately 12 million elderly living alone nationwide, with initial funding of 5 billion yuan allocated from the central government.

The policy's backdrop is China's accelerating aging population — in 2028, the population over 60 exceeds 320 million, of which approximately 48 million live alone. Ministry data shows that accident discovery delays for elderly living alone average over 12 hours, and AI companion robots can provide 24-hour health monitoring, emergency calling, and daily conversational companionship.

However, Peking University gerontology professor Lu Jiehua cautioned that AI companionship cannot replace human care, and the policy should prevent moral hazard of "machines replacing children." The Ministry of Civil Affairs responded that AI companion robots are positioned as "supplementary, not replacement," and the policy simultaneously requires community workers to visit elderly living alone at least twice monthly. Subsidized robots are procured through unified government bidding, with first-batch suppliers including UBTECH, iFlytek, and Xiao-i Robot.