The Process
In November 2024, MemoMate’s founder, Raphael Rubens, was invited by Steve Gurney to host a webinar on AI and biography writing for members of the Positive Aging Community. The goal was to introduce AI in a simple and engaging way, breaking the ice by showing attendees that they already use AI daily—often without realizing it. The webinar was attended by more than 40 members
The challenge
MemoMate’s research shows that around 40% of older adults want to preserve their life story. However, many never start due to four common barriers.
- Uncertainty about what to write and how to structure their story
- Difficulty knowing where to begin
- Belief that their life isn’t interesting enough
- Concerns about privacy and potential scams when speaking with AI
Key outcomes
Total participants: 15 (confirming the 40% demand hypothesis)
Completion rates
- 47% (7 participants) completed all six phone calls, with 29% (2 participants) requesting additional interviews.
- 23% (3 participants) completed at least three calls but stopped as some topics did not resonate with them or they felt they had shared everything they wanted to.
- 13% (2 participants) completed at least two calls.
- 23% (3 participants) stopped after one call, citing discomfort.
Average call duration: 46 minutes
Longest call: 2.5 hours
Conclusion
This successful pilot demonstrates that older adults, even those who don’t consider themselves tech-savvy, can comfortably engage with AI when properly informed about the process and privacy measures. The findings confirm that MemoMate is not only valuable for B2B applications in senior living but also has strong potential as a direct-to-consumer solution.