Abstract
<p>_Objective: The proposed scoping review aims to explore how conversational Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used in dementia treatment and care. This review will also consider the ethical implications of using conversational AI for this population, and how it can be safely implemented in this context. _Introduction: Over the past decade, there has been a pivot in dementia care towards greater use of digital technology. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative digital technology with significant potential to enhance patient care. AI is already being widely applied in dementia research and care, contributing to fast and accurate diagnosis, providing accessible cognition training tools and reducing care burden. Conversational AI (CAI), designed to emulate human interaction, is a promising digital technology that interacts with users through natural language processing. A potential benefit of CAI is accessibility; it can be applied as a psychotherapeutic chatbot, replacing clinical (human) therapy, which may reach more people, and reduce NHS wait lists. Due to high care needs related to memory loss, less is known about its adaptability, usability, and implementation as a mode of delivering treatment and support, and how such approaches can be integrated into dementia care models and services. _Inclusion criteria: The population will include people living with dementia, their family carers, practitioners and/or professionals delivering interventions, services, treatment or care to people with dementia using any type of conversational AI. The sources of information will include quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods research.</p>