The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced a $2 million Caregiver Artificial Intelligence Prize Competition aimed at supporting the approximately one in four Americans who serve as caregivers for older adults and people with disabilities.
This new initiative is being launched through HHS’s Administration for Community Living (ACL). It seeks to recognize the contributions of millions of caregivers, including those caring for aging relatives and loved ones with disabilities. These individuals play a key role in America’s long-term care system by helping people live independently at home and within their communities.
Despite their importance, many family and friend caregivers often go without recognition or adequate support. Many face emotional, physical, and financial challenges. Reports indicate that nearly half of caregivers experience declining mental health, while only a quarter report good physical health. As direct care sectors struggle with staffing shortages and high turnover rates, more responsibility falls on family caregivers.
“America’s caregivers carry our nation’s most vulnerable on their shoulders, and they do it with a strength and devotion that rarely gets the recognition it deserves,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “With the Caregiver AI Challenge, we are advancing the goals of the Make America Healthy Again Strategy Report by mobilizing innovation to lighten caregivers’ load and ensure every family has the support they need to care for the people they love.”
HHS aims to strengthen support systems for family caregivers through investment in innovative artificial intelligence solutions. The competition will provide funding to innovators working on tools designed to help both informal (family/friends) and professional caregivers deliver safe, person-centered care at home. In addition, these tools are intended to assist employers by improving efficiency in scheduling and training within the caregiving workforce.
The goal is for these AI-powered tools to educate users, offer assistance, reduce administrative burdens, and allow caregivers more time to focus on themselves as well as those they look after.
This prize competition builds upon ongoing efforts by HHS and ACL such as the National Family Caregiver Support Program; Lifespan Respite Care Program; National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers; RAISE Family Caregiving Advisory Council; Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren; and Direct Care Workforce Strategies Center.
“Through this prize competition, we aim to identify technologies that empower caregivers and expand access to high-quality care at home,” said Acting Administration for Community Living Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Aging Mary Lazare. “ACL is committed to advancing scalable, practical solutions that improve the lives of the millions of Americans who give and receive care every day.”
More information about updates on this initiative can be found on ACL’s Caregiver AI Prize Competition page.
