Proceedings of the Joint visuAAL-GoodBrother Conference on trustworthy video- and audio-based assistive technologies

The Joint visuAAL-GoodBrother Conference on Trustworthy Video- and Audio-Based Assistive Technologies, held from 18th to 20th June 2024 at the University of Alicante, Spain, brought together experts to explore the future of privacy-aware technologies for Active and Assisted Living (AAL). Organised by the GoodBrother COST Action (CA19121) and the visuAAL Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network, the event provided a platform for interdisciplinary discussions on the ethical, legal, and privacy challenges associated with audio and video monitoring in care environments.

The conference featured diverse presentations that covered innovative approaches to assistive technologies, such as enhancing robots' ability to understand natural language for home care, as well as the use of behavioural insights to improve the acceptance of camera-based systems by older adults. Researchers also discussed the legal frameworks surrounding digital health, comparing regulatory approaches in the EU and China, and examined how technologies such as digital twins could ensure compliance with privacy laws. These discussions reflected the conference’s focus on balancing technological advancements with ethical responsibility and legal compliance.

A critical theme throughout the conference was the challenge of protecting user privacy without compromising safety. Presenters offered perspectives on how privacy-by-design principles can be integrated into AAL technologies, ensuring that they remain trustworthy and widely accepted by the public. Ethical issues, such as balancing autonomy and protection in assistive technologies for older people, were also explored in depth, with solutions that emphasised the need for responsible research and development.