Santa Cruz de Tenerife Turns to AI to Support Aging Population

Santa Cruz de Tenerife is turning to digital technology to help manage its aging population and the rising demand for social services. The City Council is currently exploring the use of artificial intelligence to monitor vulnerable residents, aiming to improve how the city responds to emergencies like falls or sudden changes in a person’s daily routine.

This new approach, which uses activity sensors and GPS-enabled alert devices, will be the main focus of the upcoming "Cities for Social Innovation" forum. Held on the 20th and 21st at the Hotel Escuela, the event is organized by the local government and the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN). The goal is to bring successful national tech solutions to the local level, with a special focus on supporting elderly people who live alone.

This modernization is a response to shifting demographics. According to EAPN data, 35% of the archipelago’s population will be over 65 within the next five years. Additionally, the National Statistics Institute projects that the islands will see 350,000 new foreign residents over the next 15 years—a growth that Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez believes will stretch traditional public services beyond their current limits.

For the local government, technology is a vital partner to its social budget, which currently stands at nearly 40 million euros. Last year, the city provided 75,000 direct aid packages to 40,000 people. By hosting this forum and bringing together experts and community organizations, Santa Cruz de Tenerife aims to become a leader in modern public policy, ensuring its care systems remain sustainable as the population changes.