Sonder, the realisation that every person you meet is living a life as vivid and complex as your own, is a word I’ve been thinking about a lot as November’s aged care reforms approach.

On the surface, compliance can seem like forms, audits and data points. But in aged care, every single metric represents a real person: a parent, a neighbour, a friend. Behind every incident report is a fall in a hallway. 

Behind every nutrition check is a meal that was, or wasn’t, served in line with someone’s needs and preferences. 

Compliance isn’t just about passing audits. It’s about safeguarding moments in people’s lives.

The challenge is that the new regulations demand not only thorough documentation but also proactive risk management and continuous quality improvement. 

This is an almost impossible task if we rely solely on manual processes. This is where AI becomes more than a tool. It becomes a way to operationalise sonder at scale.

Advanced AI-driven systems can continuously monitor operational data across care delivery, staff activities and resident outcomes in real time.

They are not here to replace human judgement but to protect it. They can flag inconsistencies before they cause harm, detect subtle patterns in medication errors or missed care and tailor insights to each resident’s personal history and care plan.

This transforms compliance from a retrospective, box-ticking exercise into a living, breathing safety net woven around each unique life.

Importantly, AI can integrate seamlessly into existing workflows, automating tasks like incident logging, credential checks and policy mapping without adding administrative burden.

That allows care teams to focus their attention where it matters most: the shared, human moments that define good care.

Of course, technology is only part of the equation. Successful adoption depends on robust data governance, ongoing staff education and partnerships with people who understand both the regulatory detail and the daily rhythm of aged care.

When these elements come together, AI does more than help you comply with reforms. It helps you honour the lives behind the paperwork.

As November’s reforms draw near, my advice to providers is this: View AI not just as a compliance necessity but as an opportunity to bring sonder into every level of your operations. 

In aged care, the measure of success is not simply meeting the standard. It is protecting the complexity, dignity and individuality of the people we serve.

Have your say: Can artificial intelligence play a role in aged care systems? Yes or No, and please comment.