Siheung City is launching a pilot program from September to December to deploy artificial intelligence for preventive integrated care, aimed at monitoring health and spotting isolation risks among vulnerable residents early, according to an announcement from the municipal government.
The initiative operates in conjunction with the LeMong Consortium, a participating enterprise in the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s rapid commercialization support program for AI-applied welfare products, as reported by local authorities. Siheung is participating as a public testing ground to run the “Maeum-ON” AI care service for targeted care recipients.
How Maeum-ON Monitors Daily Health Risks
The Maeum-ON system uses a tablet-based conversational AI interface alongside Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to continuously track changes in a participant’s daily routine and physical condition, according to project outlines. By analyzing shifts in voice patterns, sleep cycles, and physical activity levels, the platform detects unusual anomalies designed to flag deteriorating health or rising social isolation risks before a crisis occurs.
Municipal officials stated that the technology supplements traditional telephone check-ins and in-person home visits. Catching minor behavioral shifts early allows caseworkers to arrange supportive interventions ahead of emergencies, reinforcing a preventative approach to public welfare.
Implementation and Human Oversight Protocols
Deployment begins with participant selection and informed consent, followed by the installation of the tablet and IoT hardware in the recipient’s home. When the AI software flags an anomaly in the lifestyle data, a designated caseworker directly contacts the individual to evaluate their actual health status and care needs.
According to the city’s operational plan, caseworkers coordinate tailored health, medical, nursing, and welfare services based on these direct consultations. The AI analysis serves strictly as an early-warning auxiliary tool, while actual service delivery relies entirely on professional human assessment to maintain reliability and safety.
Future Policy Evaluation and Local Leadership
Siheung City will evaluate the effectiveness and field applicability of the AI-driven preventive care model following the completion of the pilot in December, integrating the results into future public welfare policies. “Integrated care is not just about providing support the moment someone needs help, but rather anticipating warning signs in citizens’ daily lives and connecting them to necessary services in a timely manner,” said Yunsik Shim, Director of the Siheung Welfare Bureau, highlighting the city’s commitment to building a local care network where residents can live healthily and safely in place using human-centered technology.
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