Student William Brosnan Unveils AI Dementia App for 70,000 Irish Patients
Updated
Updated · RTÉ News · May 12
Student William Brosnan Unveils AI Dementia App for 70,000 Irish Patients
1 articles · Updated · RTÉ News · May 12
15-year-old William Brosnan will present his AI-powered “Dementia Shield” at the International Dementia Conference in Athlone on May 13-14, pitching AR smart glasses to help dementia patients live more independently.
The app links to commercially available smart glasses and uses prompts, reminders, facial recognition and GPS to identify people, guide users home and alert relatives or emergency services if needed.
Brosnan said family experience with dementia and university summer research shaped the project, which aims to reduce stress and delay the loss of daily routines that often leads to in-home care.
More than 70,000 people in Ireland live with dementia, and Brosnan’s project has already won awards including BD STEM Stars, a Boston Scientific Medical Device Award and a national SciFest technology prize.
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What will it take to get this award-winning student app into the hands of those who need it?
Dementia Shield: AI-Powered AR Smart Glasses for Dementia Care Showcased at 18th International Dementia Conference 2026
Overview
At the 18th International Dementia Conference in Athlone (May 13-14, 2026), William Brosnan showcased Dementia Shield, an innovative AI-powered application designed to enhance independence and quality of life for people living with dementia. Using augmented reality (AR) smart glasses, Dementia Shield provides real-time support, reflecting Brosnan’s commitment to improving daily experiences for those affected. The conference served as a key platform for presenting this groundbreaking advancement in dementia care, highlighting the potential of technology-driven solutions to address critical needs in the field.