Introduction.
EUFACETS was designed to address the digital exclusion of elderly individuals by developing a face-based social network that fosters intergenerational connections. Led by Professor Massimo Leone, the project involved a multidisciplinary team from the University of Turin and the Bruno Kessler Foundation, with funding from the ERC Proof of Concept, in synergy with parallel funding from the Italian Ministry of Education and Merit.
Research and Development Methodology.
The project used an interdisciplinary approach combining semiotics, digital humanities, AI-assisted memory reconstruction, and participatory design. It began with a semiotic analysis of digital face-based communication and an evaluation of existing social networks to identify their limitations for elderly users. Qualitative fieldwork—including interviews, focus groups, and workshops—helped tailor the app to users’ needs.
The concept design and testing phase refined the app’s features through co-design sessions and usability testing. The final phase integrated AI-assisted narrative reconstruction, facial recognition for tagging family members, and a voice-recording tool to enhance storytelling within extended families.
Main Achievements.
Technically, EUFACETS developed an AI-powered storytelling assistant that enables elderly users to digitize and narrate their memories. Its user-friendly design prioritizes accessibility, while its secure, privacy-compliant framework supports intergenerational engagement. The project also introduced a methodological framework for counterfunctional design, ensuring that digital tools cater to elderly users' needs.
Scientifically, the project contributed to the study of digital aging and intergenerational memory practices, resulting in multiple academic publications and presentations.
Final Outcomes and Future Directions.
EUFACETS successfully developed and tested the SAY app, proving its potential to enhance digital communication among elderly users and their families. The validated research model offers insights for future technological and academic work. The project also produced policy recommendations for inclusive digital social networks.
EUFACETS’ innovations provide a foundation for further research and industrial applications in digital aging and social memory. Its methodologies will influence both academia and industry, ensuring elderly individuals are meaningfully integrated into digital communication landscapes.
A video summary of the project is available here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tw7l6KaGZaAhF7Q2roJMbpoHdkxlQczY/view(s’ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre)
