A Speculative Design Exploration of Voice User Interfaces to Support Storytelling Among Older Adults

Abstract

Reminiscing and more broadly, storytelling is an inherent part of what it means to be human. We reminisce through stories to form connections, share life wisdom, or remember significant events in our lives. Current technologies can act as a catalyst for documenting and sharing various life stories. Older adults have lifetimes of stories to tell, though they have unique and diverse needs in using advanced technologies. This research aims to understand how older adults view current Voice-User Interfaces (VUIs) such as Voice Agents (VAs) and speculate on their future role in supporting storytelling through reminiscence. Using semi-structured interviews involving speculative design and questions from Dignity Therapy (DT), nineteen older adults aged 70-96 shared their experiences with storytelling, reminiscence, and using technology. Reflexive thematic analysis brought forward overarching themes of autonomy and agency in technology usage, understanding storytelling as a learned skill, and connections to memory, and meaning-making. While most VUI technologies focus on supporting care or assistance, the themes from this work help reframe voice technologies as a potential tool for narration led by older adults, for other older adults. In speculating on the upper limits of current VUI capabilities and the seemingly endless potential of Artificial Intelligence, participants also call for simplicity and high utility value needed to adopt a new technology into daily life. This offers insights into creating dignified and meaningful interactions around reminiscence in this final stage of life.