FSU researchers receive $350K Humana Foundation grant to develop AI concierge technology aimed at reducing senior isolation and improving community connections
Florida – A research team at Florida State University has received a $350,000 grant from Humana Foundation to develop a new artificial intelligence-powered system designed to help older adults build stronger social connections and become more involved in their communities.
The two-year research project, called “ALCOVE: A Personalized AI Concierge to Promote Community Engagement and Social Connectedness Among Older Adults,” will focus on creating a digital platform that helps older adults find volunteer opportunities and community activities that match their interests, abilities, and daily circumstances.
The project is led by Zhe He, professor at the FSU School of Information and director of the Institute for Successful Longevity. The interdisciplinary research team also includes co-principal investigators Mia Liza A. Lustria and Dawn Carr, along with researchers and collaborators from several FSU departments and partner institutions.
Researchers said the project is designed to address a growing concern among older adults: social isolation and loneliness. While many seniors want to stay active and connected, finding opportunities that fit their interests, transportation options, health needs, and personal preferences can often be challenging.
Through ALCOVE, researchers hope to create a personalized “digital social concierge” that can guide users through a simple conversation-based system. The technology will learn about each person’s interests, lifestyle, mobility needs, transportation options, and social goals before suggesting appropriate volunteer activities and community events.
The platform will not only recommend opportunities but will also provide reminders, encouragement, and follow-up support to help users remain involved over time.
“Social isolation is one of the most pressing public health crises, yet it is often an overlooked challenge facing older adults, and this grant from the Humana Foundation gives us the opportunity to do something meaningful about it,” He said. “ALCOVE harnesses the power of AI to help older adults find meaningful volunteer and social activities in their community — in a way that feels personal and supportive. It supports people in taking meaningful steps to reconnect with their communities and improve their overall well-being. We are deeply grateful to the Humana Foundation and look forward to making a real difference in the lives of older adults in North Florida.”
The research team said social isolation can have serious effects on older adults’ health. Studies have connected long-term loneliness with higher risks of cognitive decline, heart disease, depression, and premature death. Researchers also noted that social isolation contributes to significant health care costs each year.
By helping older adults discover meaningful activities, ALCOVE aims to create more opportunities for connection, purpose, and community involvement.
Mia Liza A. Lustria said simply finding activities is not enough. The opportunities must fit each individual’s situation and interests in order for people to remain engaged.
“Finding opportunities is only part of the solution. People are much more likely to stay engaged when opportunities reflect who they are and fit the realities of their daily lives,” Lustria said. “AI makes that level of personalization possible by learning about each person’s interests, motivations, abilities, transportation options, and other real-world circumstances, allowing ALCOVE to deliver tailored recommendations and ongoing support that simply wouldn’t be feasible at this scale. Ultimately, our goal is to make meaningful community engagement more accessible, helping older adults find purpose, build relationships, and strengthen their connections with the communities around them.”
The project places a special focus on volunteering, which researchers say is one of the strongest ways for older adults to develop social relationships and improve overall well-being.
Dawn Carr, director of FSU’s Claude Pepper Center, said volunteering offers benefits beyond simply staying busy.
“Volunteering is a particularly novel and important health behavior to focus on with older adults at risk of experiencing social isolation and loneliness because it is among the most well-established activities for promoting meaningful social connections,” she said. “Not only does volunteering help people feel more connected in the community and with others, it’s also as effective as other health behaviors like exercising and eating well, showing that people who regularly volunteer experience reduced physiological aging over time.”
Before the technology is widely tested, researchers will work directly with older adults in North Florida through focus groups and co-design workshops. These sessions will help identify barriers that prevent people from participating in community activities and allow researchers to shape the platform around real user experiences.
Following development, the ALCOVE system will be tested through a two-year pilot study involving approximately 50 participants. Researchers will evaluate how the technology affects social engagement, feelings of loneliness, and emotional well-being.
The project builds on more than seven years of research by the FSU team, including previous federally funded efforts focused on using artificial intelligence tools to support healthy aging and long-term participation among older adults.
Researchers said the Humana Foundation grant will support several parts of the project, including technology development, community-based research, and evaluation of results. The team hopes the findings from the pilot study will help secure additional federal funding and eventually expand the platform to support older adults across the country.
The project includes collaboration with researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine and Arizona State University. Community partners, including the Tallahassee Senior Center, will assist by connecting researchers with local older adults and community organizations.
FSU officials said the project reflects the university’s continued focus on innovative aging research and community engagement. Through ALCOVE, researchers hope artificial intelligence can become a practical tool for helping older adults remain connected, active, and involved in the communities around them.
