Question 1

What does the AI actually do?

Accepted Answer

The AI companion chats, reassures, sparks conversation, and offers a caring presence available 24/7.

Question 2

Is it a real phone?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Loved ones can call the Amical phone normally. When it rings, the person talks directly with their family. Otherwise, they can talk with the AI companion.

Question 3

Why a phone, and not an app, a tablet, or a robot?

Accepted Answer

Because the phone is a familiar object that most older adults instinctively know how to use, even at an advanced stage of the disease. No app to learn, no screen to figure out. Pick up, talk, hang up. Tablets and robots have their limits for this population. We chose maximum simplicity.

Question 4

Can my loved one call the family with this phone?

Accepted Answer

No. But the Amical phone is a real phone. The family can call the resident directly by dialing 1 (343) 326-4420, and soon the AI will also be able to transfer a call to a loved one identified in the resident's profile.

Question 5

Will my loved one be able to use it?

Accepted Answer

Amical is best suited to people living with mild to moderate cognitive impairment. With no buttons and no screen, they only need to pick up the receiver to talk. That said, it isn't for everyone: people living with aphasia or in very advanced stages where speech has been lost won't benefit fully, while those in full cognitive health will already find AI companions through the mobile apps on their smartphone.

Question 6

Does Amical replace family visits?

Accepted Answer

No. Amical is designed to complement the presence of loved ones and caregivers, not replace them. It's there for the moments when no one else can be.

Question 7

Will my loved one realize they are speaking with an artificial intelligence?

Accepted Answer

Pauline introduces herself as a friend and engages in natural conversation. If asked directly whether she is human, she honestly answers no. For most of our users living with cognitive impairment, the distinction isn't always perceptible, but what matters is the emotional benefit of presence.

Question 8

How many languages does Pauline speak?

Accepted Answer

More than 80 languages and accents are supported. This includes Quebec French, France French, English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin and many other European and Asian languages. The companion also adapts its vocabulary to the region.

Question 9

How is it set up?

Accepted Answer

We ship the phone already configured. You plug it into a power outlet and connect it to Wi-Fi, about 10 minutes the first time, with no training required.

Question 10

How does installation work?

Accepted Answer

We ship you the phone preconfigured. Plugging it in takes a few minutes. No IT integration with existing systems is required. For residences, we support the initial deployment alongside your team.

Question 11

Do I need an Internet or Wi-Fi connection at home?

Accepted Answer

The Amical phone runs over Internet (VoIP). An active Internet connection in the home or residence is therefore required for it to function.

Question 12

Are the conversations private?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Data is protected and conversations are never used. They are recorded, however: family members or residence staff managing the account receive a short summary of each conversation. The full transcript and recording are only accessible on request, in case of a concern.

Question 13

Who has access to recorded conversations?

Accepted Answer

Conversations are recorded for the resident's safety and for continuous improvement of the service. They are accessible to family and authorized staff based on the residence's configuration. Our team only accesses conversations that have been flagged by our system as warranting attention, and every access is logged. No data is ever resold or used to train third-party AI models.

Question 14

Can you clone the voice of a family member?

Accepted Answer

No, as an ethical choice. A cloned voice creates a deep attachment, and learning afterward that you were talking to an AI can be deeply unsettling. You can, however, choose from a dozen masculine and feminine voices, of different ages and accents.

Question 15

My loved one has aphasia. Is Amical suitable?

Accepted Answer

Aphasia is one of the main limitations of the Amical phone. People living with it often rely on non-verbal language, including gestures, expressions, and gaze, to support conversation. These cues are not available on the phone, which makes exchanges more difficult. For this reason, we do not currently recommend using Amical for people living with moderate-to-severe aphasia.

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