Drumming with AI Generated music and Intergenerational Bonding Activities Revved up the energy in Geronpreneurship Innovation Festival 2026

2026 Geronpreneurship Innovation Festival (GIF) opened on an energetic performance by the exercise ball drummers from the SUSS-Nunchi Age Well and Alumni Network (AWAN) comprising of SUSS Alumni members, students and community partners. Besides the well-loved and catchy classic, “Rasa Sayang”. The group also performed a brand new AI-generated track, “Silver into Gold”. The AI generated song was commissioned by SUSS and produced by the School of Technology for the Arts, Media and Design at Republic Polytechnic. A new set of choreography integrated the AI-tune with a friendly pace with unique, gamified visuals designed for cognitive stimulation during exercise.

Joining the AWAN drummers was none other than popular tech pioneer, Ms Masako Wakamiya. Hailing from Japan. She is well-loved around the world for designing a gaming app in her 80s, Ms Masako have worked closely with SUSS to extend the drumming programme to Japan.

SUSS Age Well Alumni Network drummers with Ms Masako Wakamiya (center) opened at the main stage with AI-generated song “Silver into Gold”

The drumming fever continued at the experiential zone booth as attendees of all ages tried their hands on the fun, rhythmic activity, guided by senior drum trainers and avatar-led visuals. Young kids from PCF Sparkletots who participated in story telling session by senior story tellers joined the group drumming and singing with the older drummers - exemplifying the power of intergenerational bonding through music and movement.

Children from PCG Sparkletots waiting excitedly for their turn at the ball drumming experience zone, as they sang along to familiar tune “Rasa Sayang”

Teams from SUSS, NCKU Prof Linda and RP posing with drummers

GOH Health Minister Mr Ong Ye Kung at the drumming experience booth

Graced by Minister for Health and coordinating Minister for Social Policies, Mr Ong Ye Kung, GIF 2026 welcomed over 2000 attendees at Suntec Convention Center on 26 August 2026, as it showcased talks by experts both in local community organizations and academia and around the world, across two stages.

Besides engaging in the wide repertoire of interactive activities such as E-gaming and DJ track mixing, event participants heard from various experts at the Community Stage. SUSS community partners from Lions Befrienders, PCF Sparkle Care, People’s Association, The Ascott Limited, TS Group , and more, shared their views on topics ranging from intergenerational bonding through storytelling to the role of AI and social robots in an ageing society. The community stage sessions also cover space design for integrated and inclusive living, role of assistive devices in supporting ageing as well as cooking while living with cognitive changes.

The Community stage program concluded with key insights on policies, practices and solutions across multi-disciplinary perspectives.

A/P Kelvin Tan (from left) moderate the discussion on “Designing Space for Inclusive and Integrated Living” at the Community stage, with panellists Mr Oh Boon Shi, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of TS Group Pte Ltd, Ms Sophie Lim, VP, Senior Living & Strategic Planning, The Ascott and Mr Wong Kai Wen, Principal Planner Urban Redevelopment Authorities of Singapore.

Lunch bentos, sponsored by Nunchi Marineissued to senior attendees

Over 300 senior attendees from various active ageing centres were treated with a delicious bento lunch, courtesy of local company, Nunchi Marine. Their management and staff were present to help distribute the bentos to the recipients.

SUSS-Nunchi Marine Age Well programme is proud to be a strategic partner supporting this iconic event annually with experiential booths and lunches for both volunteers and senior participants.