Mark Gurman from Bloomberg recently shared insights about what he labels “Apple’s most significant endeavor in health yet with a new AI-driven physician.”
While I understand Apple’s motivation behind this initiative, I believe the company must proceed with extreme caution to mitigate the risk of causing more harm than good …
Apple’s Key Contribution
In 2019, Apple CEO Tim Cook expressed his belief that health projects would ultimately be the most significant undertaking the company has ever pursued.
When it comes to healthcare and personal wellbeing, I genuinely believe that if we look back in the future and ask, “What was Apple’s greatest contribution to humanity,” it will revolve around health.
Our mission has always been to enhance people’s lives [and now we are] empowering individuals to take charge of their health. We are just at the beginning of this journey.
This sentiment has been reaffirmed by him on multiple occasions—and he seems to be onto something.
Even though I’ve opted for a smart ring over my Apple Watch, the type of device is secondary; I anticipate an Apple Ring will be on the horizon soon. Health technology holds immense importance, and Apple is undeniably making a significant impact.
Capabilities like Afib detection, Fall Detection, Emergency SOS, and others have already been lifesaving for many. A few years back, I noted we were witnessing the quiet onset of a notable Apple Health revolution.
While less apparent, a critical aspect is Apple’s ResearchKit, which provides health researchers with a wealth of data likely to transform our understanding of multiple medical conditions. This information will, over time, save far more lives than any direct health alerts directed to individual Apple Watch users.
Health Coaching via Apps
App-based health coaching is certainly a current trend. Apple’s activity rings have significantly motivated individuals to engage in more physical activity, complemented by subtler yet essential features like reminders to stand and practice breathing exercises.
Utilizing health devices such as smartwatches and rings to gather data for tailored recommendations is something I value highly. In fact, I’ve suggested that Apple acquire Oura, not for the hardware—which they can easily recreate—but for its exceptional application.
For instance, the personalized feedback I received from the Oura app regarding sleep quality:
The app noticed that I slept better when going to bed around 11 PM, leading it to recommend that I consider this timing and suggested I begin winding down about an hour earlier. It also observed that moderate exercise helped my sleep quality better than working out too much or too little before bedtime […]
I’m thoroughly impressed by this app. It’s evident that substantial thought went into determining default settings, when to prompt personalized notifications, and when to provide general advice.
Although Apple’s Health app is visually stunning and user-friendly, it has never felt like I have a personal health and fitness coach readily available like the Oura app does.
Oura is currently working on integrating an AI-powered health coach into its application, and I have cautious curiosity about that development.
However, an AI Doctor is Distinct
The term “AI doctor” used in Gurman’s report raised some concerns for me.
This phrase is likely new terminology introduced by Gurman to delineate his interpretation of the feature’s objective—I seriously doubt Apple will officially adopt that label.
Nonetheless, the chosen terminology will influence public perception. If users interpret the guidance as coming from an AI personal trainer or coach, that’s one scenario. They are likely to recognize the limits of such expertise, whether delivered by a human or an application.
However, if users perceive this new AI as offering broader health guidance, entering realms typically associated with general practitioners rather than personal trainers, it could put Apple in a precarious position. There’s a risk that individuals might rely on AI recommendations when a doctor visit is warranted.
It could be argued that the application would err on the side of caution—recommending users seek medical advice whenever necessary. Yet, there are two significant issues with this.
First, if the AI frequently directs individuals to consult a real doctor, it risks becoming disregarded. Repeated false alarms could lead people to neglect seeking assistance when it’s truly needed.
Second, as an AI system, its behavior is unpredictable. Although its guidelines may prompt it to be overly cautious, I’ve reiterated that AI systems are not truly intelligent. They often fail to adhere reliably to their guidelines.
So while I firmly believe health technology can significantly enhance lives, and I’m confident Apple will play a pivotal role in this arena, I sincerely hope they exercise utmost caution when it comes to AI integration in healthcare.
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