Throughout my career, I've been fortunate to witness some of the biggest technological transformations of our lifetime.
As a journalist, media executive and entrepreneur, I watched newspapers become digital platforms, the Internet reshape how we consume information, and technology revolutionize sports and media. Every major innovation changed how we worked, communicated and experienced the world.
Today, I'm watching another transformation unfold.
And I believe it may be the most meaningful one yet.
Artificial intelligence has the potential to help families care for the people they love.
That belief isn't based solely on technology.
It's personal.
Like many people, I've watched my own family navigate the realities of helping an aging parent remain independent. My father is 92 years old, and those experiences have given me a deeper appreciation for both the rewards and challenges of caregiving.
Through my work with DWEL.digital , where I serve on the Board of Advisors, I've also had the opportunity to interview caregivers from across the country. Their stories have been remarkably similar—and remarkably moving.
What surprised me most wasn't simply their dedication. It was the sheer scale of the challenge.
Today, an estimated 44 million Americans are balancing careers while caring for aging loved ones. Most older adults want to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. That's wonderful for families—but it also places enormous demands on sons, daughters and spouses trying to balance careers, families and caregiving responsibilities.
The caregivers I spoke with weren't simply making an occasional phone call. They were scheduling medical appointments, coordinating transportation, managing medications, arranging deliveries and solving unexpected household problems.
Many of those responsibilities happen during the workday.
What has traditionally been viewed as a family issue is quickly becoming a business issue.
More organizations are recognizing that supporting employee caregivers isn't simply a compassionate benefit—it's becoming an important workforce strategy.
That's why I've become so passionate about what AI can do.
Not because it can replace people.
But because it can help people.
I've been involved with DWEL since its earliest days, when it was little more than an idea and a vision for supporting caregivers, older adults and their families. Watching that vision evolve has strengthened my belief in its potential, and today I'm proud to be helping build the company while serving on its Board of Advisors. As DWEL continues to evolve, I can also see myself becoming more deeply involved in the operating side of the company, helping turn that vision into reality.
One of the things that gives me even greater confidence in DWEL is the strength of the team behind it. CEO Bill Seibel brings experience from 15 startups, 10 exits and 40 advisory roles. President Mark H. Friedman, MBA, CDP, CAPS, LTCCP® brings a particularly valuable perspective: an aging-in-place author and lecturer and owner of four Senior Helpers franchises, he has spent years working directly with families and caregivers. Interim COO Maureen (Mo) Osborne adds leadership experience from JPMorgan, EY, Bank One and Microsoft. Our product team is led by CTO Cheryl Smith , whose technology leadership includes McKesson, KeySpan, WestJet and Verizon, along with AI entrepreneur Bret Siarkowski and aging-in-place experience-design specialist Mike Bartucca .
What attracted me from the beginning was that DWEL wasn't trying to create just another app. The vision was to use voice-first AI to coordinate the routine tasks that consume caregivers' time—from transportation and wellness check-ins to reminders, communication and connecting families with existing services.
The goal isn't to replace caregivers.
It's to strengthen them.
To give families greater peace of mind.
To help older adults remain independent longer.
And to allow caregivers to spend less time coordinating logistics and more time simply being sons, daughters, spouses and friends.
Looking ahead, I believe we're only beginning to understand what's possible. AI can become more than a tool for managing daily responsibilities. It can also help people stay informed, connected and engaged with the interests that enrich their lives—through natural conversations rather than another app or screen demanding attention.
Technology shouldn't simply help us manage our lives. It should help us continue enjoying them.
America is entering a new era as millions of Baby Boomers age and more families navigate caregiving responsibilities. At the same time, conversational AI has matured to the point where it can become a trusted partner in that journey. I believe we're only beginning to see how AI can strengthen human relationships rather than replace them.
It's also creating opportunities for forward-thinking employers, healthcare organizations, strategic partners and investors who recognize that supporting caregivers isn't simply the right thing to do—it's one of the next great opportunities at the intersection of healthcare, employee wellness and artificial intelligence.
When I think about the future of AI, I don't picture robots or science fiction. I picture millions of families trying to balance careers, caregiving and everyday life. I picture older adults who want to remain independent. I picture caregivers who simply want a little more peace of mind.
If AI can help us achieve those goals, it could be one of the most meaningful applications of innovation we've ever seen.
That's the future I hope we're building.
If this article resonates with you—whether as a caregiver, business leader, healthcare professional, entrepreneur or investor—I’d love to hear your perspective. The best ideas often begin with conversations, and I believe we're only at the beginning of discovering how AI can help us care for one another.
P.S.: I advise sports and media organizations on growth, partnerships, audience strategy, and what comes next. I’m also available for keynotes and executive workshops. Feel free to reach out!