Artificial intelligence (AI) linked to household devices such as kettles and electric showers is being used to alert family or neighbours if an elderly or vulnerable person does not follow their normal routine. A device currently being trialled in the UK is linked wirelessly to a smart meter or conventional electric meter in the home and monitors the use of high-power electrical items such as microwaves and washing machines. Using machine learning, it can determine what time such household appliances are normally used and spot any anomalies which might suggest the person living there alone may…