Aparna Pujar: Improving Elderly Care with Artificial Intelligence and Technological Innovations

Zemplee is a technology platform for aging-in-place. It enables self-managing elderly loved ones to live in their own homes for as long as they want. Zemplee is a non-wearable, non-invasive, non-intrusive IOT/AI platform that uses 5G, Edge Computing and AI to offer passive real-time monitoring of the elderly while keeping their families and other care stakeholders informed and engaged.

An Eccentric Leader Enhancing Wellbeing of the Elderly

Aparna Pujar is the Founder and CEO of Zemplee. She founded the company from her experience of being a remote caregiver for her aging parents.

Aparna belongs to a technology background and began her career as a programmer. Her experience spans building internet and mobile technology products and platforms for the Media, Internet, eCommerce, Healthcare and Retail industries for global markets. Having worked for some of the iconic Silicon Valley companies like Yahoo! and eBay, Aparna brought that experience and insight into creating Zemplee. She asserts that eldercare is very much an overlooked sector – and very few people have an appreciation for this industry. Aparna believes the COVID-19 pandemic created a worldwide public health crisis. Our elderly loved ones were the unwilling victims. The pandemic also exposed the cracks in the healthcare delivery system. Digital transformation is needed for this industry to achieve the levels of efficiency required to deliver high quality of care at scale in an affordable way.

Innovation Through Understanding Others 

For Aparna, innovation has always been about asking myriad questions, observing intently, listening to customers' problems, and creating products that solve an unmet need. It is all about creating that one emotional connection. It is absolutely imperative to cultivate an open mind, eliminate bias and be ready to do the unthinkable.

Technology Advancements to Influence Human Lives

AI is a technology that is transforming every walk of life. "Since our technology and the Zemplee product is an AI platform, we have a front-row seat to the numerous possibilities and capabilities of AI and the way AI can make an impact", says Aparna. She further adds there are some areas which are evolved more than the others – for example, Natural Language Processing, Image recognition and more. But overall, she thinks the way humanity has rallied to accept AI in everyday life is remarkable. Like any new technology evolution, every leader has to gear up, embrace and be open-minded about AI, invest time in understanding and develop strategies to harness its capabilities. Unlike other technology evolutions that came before, AI does require a rather frequent check-in with ethics, both business and personal, for a leader.

Data is the fuel that fires AI. The world is yet to evolve to a point where representative data that is defining and creating AI-based solutions is fair, equitable and free of all bias – cultural, gender, racial or socio-economical. And an emphasis on upholding the need and respect for privacy and personal space is required.

Offering Unmatched Leadership Potentials

Aparna emphasizes "listening skills" is one of the vital attributes for every leader whether it is listening to customers, employees, shareholders, or family members. Nobody knows what conversation can lead to a new idea, an opportunity, or chance at feedback to improvise. "I grew up in a culture where humility was inherent. I do believe that is a quality every leader must have," she said. The other attributes Aparna considers imperative are believing in values and trust in self-judgment. She advises leaders that leadership is a journey. Believe in yourself and go all in.

Primal Business Challenges 

Recalling her initial challenges, Aparna says that the technology industry was very male-dominated when she started working 20 years ago. The biggest challenge was to be a voice and be "heard." She is so glad that it has changed and it is very distinct today. "We live in a world that has recognized the dire need for diversity and inclusion," she noted.

Elevating Success Through Continuous Learning

One of the most important things Aparna has learned is that anyone can be a leader. People have to believe in themselves, accept and be comfortable with who they are. She accentuates that leadership is a journey and a person continues to evolve in myriad ways. Along the journey, one must pay attention to things that are not working, learn and improvise. One thing that has helped Aparna is that she loves learning and experimenting with new things whether it is in her personal life or work life.

Reimaging the Future of Elderly Care

According to Aparna, Zemplee's mission and promise is to give its elderly loved ones a chance to age-in-place at home where they can enjoy a great quality of life and get the best level of care. By the year 2050, there will be over 500 million people in the world aged 65 and over. The rising cost of care, longevity and chronic illnesses, whether physiological or cognitive, make the aging phase complex. We are all in this together. Every single person on this planet will get old and age. Current service providers are being challenged and even meeting the demand is not easy. Adoption of technology in this space is very limited today. Digital transformation of this industry is the need of the hour worldwide. If anything, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a wake-up call. The possibilities of what can be done with AI are huge.