Mark Gurman from Bloomberg recently reported what he called “Apple’s most substantial foray into health thus far with a new AI doctor.”
I completely grasp Apple’s motivations behind this initiative, yet I believe they 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 initiatives would represent the most significant work the company ever undertook.
Regarding healthcare particularly and your overall well-being, I believe that, if you broaden your perspective to the future and reflect on the past, and pose the question, “What was Apple’s greatest gift to humanity?” it will pertain to health.
Our business has always focused on enhancing people’s lives [and now we are] empowering individuals to take charge of their own health. We are merely at the beginning of this journey.
This perspective has been reiterated by him several times, and I believe he could be onto something.
Personally, I have replaced my Apple Watch with a smart ring, but the type of device isn’t the core issue; I anticipate seeing an Apple Ring in the near future. The health technology sector is incredibly vital and impactful, and Apple is undeniably making substantial contributions.
Features like Afib detection, Fall Detection, Emergency SOS, among others, have already saved numerous lives. A few years ago, I indicated that we are witnessing the quiet advent of a significant Apple Health revolution.
Less visibly, yet even more crucially, Apple’s ResearchKit is armoring health researchers with extensive data that will undoubtedly enhance our grasp of numerous medical conditions. Over time, that information will save far more lives than any number of individual health alerts sent to Watch users.
Health Coaching via Apps
App-based health coaches already exist. Apple’s activity rings have substantially encouraged increased physical activity, bolstered by quieter yet equally essential prompts to stand and take breaks for breathing exercises.
Leveraging health devices like smartwatches and smart rings to gather data for personalized recommendations is something I genuinely value. In fact, I have proposed that Apple consider acquiring Oura, not for the hardware—which they can easily replicate—but for the superb app it offers.
For instance, the personalized feedback I received from the Oura app about my sleep quality was insightful:
The app observed that I slept better when I went to bed around 11 PM, so it proactively suggested I consider that and prompted me to begin winding down about an hour prior. It also noted that my sleep improved after engaging in a moderate amount of exercise, rather than just before or after very little or excessive exercise […]
That app has completely impressed me. It’s evident that a significant amount of thought has been invested in determining what to standardly present, when to nudge users with personalized alerts and suggestions, and when to provide more general advice.
While Apple’s Health app is visually appealing and user-friendly, it’s never made me feel like I had a personal health and fitness coach at my fingertips; the Oura app does.
Oura is currently in the process of integrating an AI-based health coach into its app, and I’m cautiously intrigued by that development.
But an AI Doctor is Entirely Different
What concerned me about Gurman’s report was the term “AI doctor.”
This term likely emerged from Gurman’s own interpretation of what he perceives to be the aim of the feature—I highly doubt Apple will actually use that terminology.
Regardless of what title the iPhone maker ultimately decides upon, perceptions matter. If users believe the guidance is coming from an AI personal trainer or coach, that’s one scenario. They recognize the limitations of that expertise, whether provided by a human or an app.
However, if users interpret the new AI as offering broader health guidance, especially in areas typically associated with family doctors rather than personal trainers, that could place Apple in perilous territory. Individuals might lean on AI advice when they should actually consult a medical professional.
One could argue that the app would always err on the side of caution—should any doubt arise, it would direct users to seek a physician. However, two significant challenges arise here.
First, if the AI doctor consistently advises users to consult a real one, eventually people will disregard it. Repeatedly signaling alarm can lead to the severe risk of individuals neglecting to seek assistance during critical situations.
Secondly, given that it’s an AI system, there’s no certainty surrounding how it operates. Its protocols may instruct it to be cautious, but as I’ve stated countless times, AI systems lack true intelligence and don’t consistently adhere to their own guidelines.
Thus, I am firmly convinced that health technology can significantly enhance the world, and I’m certain that Apple will play a crucial role in this realm. Nevertheless, I sincerely hope this is one segment of AI where Apple approaches with utmost care, avoiding over-promising.
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