At first glance, the image seems sweet — elderly individuals embracing a doll. This doll, known as Hyodol, is a product from Korea. 

It's an AI-equipped doll designed to interact with the elderly who feel lonely. 

The Hyodol engages them with phrases like: "Hug me, grandfather..." or "please hold me closer." Sometimes, it will inquire about their lives or ask for a story.

South Korea faces a rapidly declining birth rate. By 2023, it's estimated to have dropped to around 0.7 children per woman. 

And projections for 2024 suggest it might decrease further to 0.65, a historically low rate. Consequently, many elderly people now find solace in their Hyodol dolls, without children or grandchildren. 

These dolls, substituting for human interaction, are equipped with sensors to detect inactivity. If no movement is registered for twelve hours, caregivers are alerted, prompting them to check on the elderly person's well-being. https://image.nostr.build/6b387417349f64f146597903159997ab05aec3de389841c16016419dc6e7d665.jpg