Introduction: Dementia affects 10 million people worldwide each year and represents one of the greatest challenges of modern society. In recent years, the use of smart assistive technology and artificial intelligence in people with dementia has been increasingly researched, as they can contribute to greater independence and safety of users, as well as to relieving the burden on family members or caregivers. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis was to explore the opinions and readiness of Slovenian occupational therapists on the use of smart assistive technology and artificial intelligence in people with dementia, as well as their role in occupational therapy practice. Methods: A quantitative research method was used. Data were collected using a digital survey questionnaire containing 21 questions. The survey was distributed to occupational therapists via email and the Facebook group of Slovenian occupational therapists. By the end of data collection, we received 60 responses. Results: The results showed that the majority of respondents (56 %) recognize the usefulness of smart assistive technology and artificial intelligence, particularly in tracking devices, reminders, more objective assessment of users, and relieving the burden on therapists. The remaining respondents were either undecided about their usefulness (37 %) or expressed concerns (7 %), citing ethical aspects of technology use, the stage of users' dementia, therapists' insufficient training, and the importance of human contact. The role of smart assistive technology and artificial intelligence in therapists' work proved to be most significant in promoting user independence, cognitive stimulation, and personalization of treatment. Nevertheless, 54 % of respondents described themselves as neither ready nor unready to use these technologies, while 27 % rated their readiness as poor. The majority of respondents had never attended training in this field (85 %), nor had they encountered it during their studies (70 %). Despite the lower readiness rating, almost all respondents (95 %) expressed willingness to pursue further education on the use of smart assistive technology and artificial intelligence in people with dementia. Discussion and conclusion: The findings are comparable to those of international studies, which highlight tracking devices, robots, and smart systems as advantages, while also pointing to ethical dilemmas, financial constraints, therapists' lack of readiness, and users' resistance to technology. For the further development of occupational therapy in Slovenia, it would be necessary to provide more education in the field of smart assistive technology and artificial intelligence, as interest among therapists in expanding their knowledge is very high.
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