Innovative AI Solutions Sought in National Caregiver Challenge by HHS

Why It Matters

By injecting AI into caregiving, the challenge could dramatically improve efficiency and quality of care for the 1 in 4 Americans serving as caregivers, while opening new market opportunities for tech firms.

Key Takeaways

• Phase 1 offers up to $2.5 M in prizes.
• Target: 1 in 4 U.S. caregivers.
• Two tracks: workforce tools and family support tools.
• Goal: automate documentation, monitor well‑being, provide training.
• Up to 20 winners expected in Phase 1.

Pulse Analysis

The United States faces a growing caregiver shortage as the population ages and more individuals require assistance at home. Traditional models rely heavily on manual documentation and fragmented communication, which drain time and increase burnout. Federal agencies have begun to view artificial intelligence as a lever to streamline operations, improve safety monitoring, and deliver personalized training. The ACL competition aligns with broader HHS strategies that seek to modernize health and human services through data‑driven solutions, positioning AI as a catalyst for systemic change in elder and disability care.

Phase 1 of the Caregiver AI Prize Competition allocates up to $2.5 million across two distinct tracks. The first track focuses on workforce‑level tools that can automate scheduling, streamline paperwork, and enhance staff training for home‑care agencies. The second track invites solutions that empower family members and informal caregivers with real‑time health monitoring, risk alerts, and on‑demand educational resources. By encouraging collaborations between tech innovators and established caregiver networks, the challenge aims to produce prototypes that can be rapidly piloted, validated, and scaled, with the potential to recognize up to 20 winners.

If successful, the initiative could reshape the caregiving market by lowering operational costs, improving care outcomes, and creating new revenue streams for AI developers. Companies that secure prize funding will gain early access to a nationwide user base and valuable data for refining their algorithms. However, they must also navigate regulatory scrutiny, data privacy concerns, and the need for culturally sensitive, person‑centered designs. The competition signals a clear federal endorsement of responsible AI in health services, encouraging the private sector to invest in solutions that address both efficiency and the human touch essential to quality care.

Innovative AI Solutions Sought in National Caregiver Challenge by HHS

Innovative AI Solutions Sought in National Caregiver Challenge by HHS · 2 min read

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The Administration for Community Living (ACL), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has launched Phase 1 of the ACL Caregiver AI Prize Competition, a national challenge designed to support the caregiving workforce through responsible uses of artificial intelligence (AI).

HHS announced the new $2 million competition back in November, aiming to support the 1 in 4 Americans serving as caregivers for older adults and people with disabilities.

According to a press release, the prize challenge calls on technology innovators to partner with caregiver networks to develop tools that strengthen care at home and in the community. The effort builds on federal AI initiatives including the National Institute on Aging’s Artificial Intelligence Technology Collaboratories for Aging Research and Small Business Innovation Research portfolios.

The competition will be run in three phases. Phase 1 participants will compete for up to $2.5 million in prize funding, with awards expected to go to as many as 20 winners.

The challenge focuses on transformational uses of AI, including:

• Automating processes and documentation so caregivers can focus on what matters most: the people in their care.

• Monitoring well‑being.

• Delivering on‑demand support and training.

The competition includes two tracks:

1. AI caregiver workforce tools to help home‑care organizations improve efficiency, scheduling, and training.

2. AI caregiver tools that support family, friends, and/or the direct‑care workforce in providing safe, person‑centered care at home.

“We challenge innovators to help improve the quality of care across our nation. I look forward to seeing the submissions,” said Deputy Health and Services Secretary Jim O’Neill in a statement.

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About the Author

Pietje Kobus

Pietje Kobus has an international background and experience in content management and editing. She studied journalism in the Netherlands and Communications and Creative Nonfiction in the U.S. Pietje joined Healthcare Innovation in January 2024.