In the grand ballroom of the Fairmont San Francisco hotel, overlooking the beautiful skyline, hundreds of investors and executives gathered for the country's largest longevity conference last month.
The most interesting takeaway? The convergence of three powerful forces that will reshape the landscape of America—climate change, artificial intelligence (AI), and the care crisis.
Let's start with climate. As we write this, millions of Americans are wilting under a brutal heat wave. For much of our population, this isn't just uncomfortable—it's dangerous.
In his groundbreaking new book, The Weight of Nature: How a Changing Climate Changes Our Brains, neuroscientist Clayton Page Aldern revealed how heat exposure impaired executive functions, weakened neural networks, and disrupted sleep patterns—all critical factors in cognitive health, especially for older adults. Climate change isn't just a future threat anymore. It's a clear and present danger.
Now, consider AI. While it's revolutionizing industries, it's also posing a significant threat to our society. AI is poised to disrupt the job market in ways we've never seen before. We're facing a future where millions of jobs could be displaced, from truck drivers to accountants to customer service representatives. This isn't just about short-term unemployment. We're looking at the potential for long-term, structural unemployment that could reshape our entire economy.
Finally, our care crisis is reaching a breaking point. With thousands of Baby Boomers reaching their mid-70s every day, we're facing a tsunami of care needs that threatens to overwhelm us. The numbers are staggering—53 million Americans are already doing unpaid "second shifts" caring for family members. Add to that the rising rates of chronic conditions requiring long-term care, and we're looking at a perfect storm. Our care system is already buckling under the strain, and it's the family caregivers who are bearing the brunt. These unsung heroes—often adults juggling full-time jobs with caregiving responsibilities—are being pushed to the breaking point. The physical, emotional, and financial toll is unsustainable.
These three forces—climate change, AI, and the care crisis—will determine what happens to our society over the coming decade. And that is where we urge innovators to focus their energies.
The challenges we face are daunting, but they also present unprecedented opportunities for innovation and social progress. We need solutions that address these issues not in isolation, but as interconnected problems requiring holistic approaches. As leaders in the longevity market, we feel a responsibility to drive this change. We must advocate for policies that address these interlinked challenges, invest in startups developing innovative solutions, and foster collaboration across sectors.
To our tech innovators—The elder care market is enormous and ripe for disruption. Bring your talents to bear on one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Organizations like AARP and the National Institute on Aging are prepared to fund and accelerate your impact.
To our policymakers—It's time for bold, forward-thinking legislation that addresses these intertwined issues. Your constituents demand action.
To our business leaders—There's immense opportunity in the longevity market. Those who act now will be at the forefront of a revolution in care.
And to all of us—Let's remember that how we care for one another reflects our values as a society.
Will we allow climate change to deteriorate the health of our population? Will we let AI exacerbate inequality and unemployment? Will we abandon our family caregivers to burnout and financial ruin? Or will we rise to the occasion, harnessing our collective ingenuity to create a more resilient, equitable, and caring society?
The time to act is now. Let's commit to tackling these challenges head-on, with the urgency and innovation they demand.
Our future—and the futures of generations to come—depends on it.
Neal K. Shah is the chief executive officer of CareYaya Health Technologies, one of the fastest-growing elder care tech startups in America. He runs a social enterprise and applied research lab utilizing AI and neurotech innovation to advance care equity through technology. Neal is a Top Healthcare Voice on LinkedIn with a 40k+ following, having led partnerships with top health care systems in America.
Mary Furlong is the eponymous founder of Mary Furlong & Associates, a leading consultancy in the $8.3 trillion longevity market. She serves as the dean's executive professor for entrepreneurship at Santa Clara University. For more than 30 years, she has guided the strategies of leading corporations and emerging companies whose innovations improve the lives of older adults.