Key Takeaways
- Assess Needs First: Most providers fall into an "AI maturity gap" where generic tools do not fit, but custom builds are too expensive.
- Buy Standard Tools: Purchasing is the best option for solving common operational problems like documentation.
- Build for Innovation: Only build custom solutions if they provide a unique competitive advantage.
- Wait Strategically: Use waiting periods to clean data and map workflows rather than standing still.
You face a rush of new information every week. Tech vendors promise revolutions, while peers ask if you have deployed the latest robots. This pressure makes it hard to form a clear aged care AI strategy. You might feel stuck between futuristic possibilities and the practical limits of your budget and time.
Many organizations currently sit in what industry experts call the "AI maturity gap." This is the space between using simple, generic tools and developing complex, custom systems. You need a way to navigate this gap. The decision comes down to three choices: buy, build, or wait.
This article expands on the concepts found in Buy, Build, or Wait: A guide to AI decision-making for aged care to help you choose the right path.
Understanding the AI Maturity Gap
The market offers two extremes right now. On one side, you have large language models. These are powerful but generic. They often lack the specific context needed for sensitive care environments. On the other side, you see highly specialized custom development. This requires money and technical skills that many providers do not possess.
To move forward, you must evaluate your position based on:
- Budget availability: Do you have funds for ongoing maintenance?
- Technical talent: Does your IT team have development skills or just support skills?
- Problem definition: Are you solving a unique problem or a common one?
Option 1: Purchasing Existing Solutions
For most providers, buying is the safest and most effective choice. This path works best when you need to address common operational tasks.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Does a commercial solution meet at least 80% of your needs?
- Is the problem shared by many other organizations?
If you struggle with consolidating data or answering routine policy questions, a vendor has likely already built a tool for that. Providers achieve success with purchased solutions for:
- Voice-to-text documentation.
- Automated compliance analysis.
- Staff scheduling optimization.
The Power of Collaboration
You do not have to negotiate alone. A strong aged care AI strategy often involves collaboration. When providers form groups or consortiums, they gain leverage. You can:
- Share the costs of customization.
- Pool resources for staff training.
- Present a unified voice to vendors about your specific needs.
Option 2: Investing in Custom Development
Custom AI development is a high-stakes option. It is not suitable for every provider. However, it makes sense in specific scenarios where off-the-shelf products fail to deliver.
You should consider building if:
- Innovation is a core part of your business identity.
- You have a unique service model that no commercial software supports.
- You operate in a niche demographic or geographic area with specific requirements.
Before you choose this path, recognize the risks. IT support staff are different from AI developers. You need distinct skills to build and maintain these systems. Also, commercial technology moves fast. You risk building a tool that becomes obsolete or commercially available for a lower price before you even finish your project.
Option 3: The Strategic Pause
Sometimes, the best move is to wait. This does not mean you ignore the technology. It means you decide the timing is not right for a purchase or a build. This decision fits the "Buy build or wait" framework perfectly when the costs outweigh the immediate benefits.
Waiting must be an active process. You should use this time to prepare your organization. The Aged Care Data and Digital Strategy 2024-2029 highlights the importance of digital maturity.
During a strategic pause, you should:
- Clean your data: AI needs good data to work. Fix your records now.
- Map workflows: Document what your staff actually do, not just what the policy says they do.
- Train staff: Build digital literacy so your team is ready when you eventually deploy tools.
Aligning Decisions with Human Outcomes
Regardless of the path you choose, the technology must serve the people. When implementing AI in aged care, you must prioritize the human element.
Automation should reduce administrative burdens, allowing staff to spend more time with residents. If a tool adds complexity without improving care, it is the wrong choice.
Your aged care digital strategy should focus on:
- Safety: Protecting resident data and well-being.
- Usability: Ensuring staff can use the tools without frustration.
- Value: Delivering clear benefits to the bottom line or care quality.
Securing Your Organization's Future Success
The organizations that succeed with AI are not always the ones that move the fastest. They are the ones that make decisions based on their actual needs.
Review your current pain points. If a problem is standard, look for a vendor. If your problem is unique and you have the budget, consider a build. If you are unsure, wait and prepare your data.
This approach allows you to adopt technology effectively. You minimize risk and focus your resources where they matter most: on providing exceptional care to older adults. By following a clear decision-making framework, you turn uncertainty into a strategic advantage.
