Curated by THEOUTPOST
On Mon, 31 Mar, 12:00 AM UTC
29 Sources
[1]
Apple reportedly revamping Health app to add an AI coach | TechCrunch
Apple is developing a new version of its Health app that includes an AI coach that can advise users on how to get healthier, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman first reported that something like this was in the works back in 2023, but now he says development is moving ahead, with the new features potentially coming as soon as spring or summer of 2026, with the release of iOS 19.4. The AI coach's advice would be based on data from across users' medical devices, and would reportedly include food tracking. The coach is currently being trained on data from staff physicians, with Apple looking to bring in additional doctors to record health-related videos. According to Gurman, this new service is tentatively called Health+.
[2]
Apple's AI doctor will be ready to see you next spring
Apple has been expanding its presence in the AI and health sectors, aiming to broaden its influence in these rapidly growing fields. Its latest initiative merges these efforts by enhancing the Apple Health app, integrating the product ecosystem's health insights to deliver personalized, actionable advice. Also: This Apple Watch Series 10 discount is one of the best Amazon Spring Sale deals In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg correspondent and Apple watcher Mark Gurman shared the details of Project Mulberry, the codename for a completely revamped Health app featuring an AI agent meant to replicate the insights a doctor can give patients based on their biometric data. With Project Mulberry, the Health app will continue to gather data from a user's ecosystem of Apple devices, including their Apple Watch, earbuds, iPhone, and more. The AI coach will then use that information to offer personalized recommendations on how they can improve their health, according to the report. The data used to train the AI agent and inform the responses will include real insights from physicians on staff. Also: How to claim your Apple Watch settlement payout before it's too late Other features of the app will include food tracking, workout form critiques facilitated by the AI agent and the device's back camera, and videos from physicians that explain certain health conditions and suggest lifestyle improvements. Apple is opening a facility near Oakland, California, where outside doctors from a range of specialties, including sleep, nutrition, physical therapy, mental health, and cardiology, will be able to create the aforementioned videos, according to the report. Apple is also looking for a "major doctor personality" to host the new service, dubbed by some internal sources "Health+." Gurman first reported on this project years ago, when it was dubbed Project Quartz, but it is now a top priority. According to the report, it could be released as early as iOS 19.4, which is scheduled for the spring or summer of next year. Also: The best Apple Watch: Expert tested and reviewed The idea of using AI for health metrics is not new, and several other fitness wearable hardware makers have implemented similar models into their offerings. For example, Whoop has an AI coach powered by ChatGPT, which serves as a conversational chatbot that can deliver personalized recommendations and fitness coaching based on the user's data. Also: Oura's AI health coach is live for everyone - here's what it can do for you Just today, Oura followed suit, releasing its own version, Oura Advisor. This AI health coach gives Oura app subscribers access to a personal health chatbot using the biometric data Oura collects through smart ring usage. Generative AI models have two major strengths that make them particularly suitable for health data: their ability to sift through robust amounts of data quickly and their conversational capabilities, which can understand and output conversational queries. As a result, you can expect Apple's development to be part of a larger trend, with more wearable companies implementing similar AI offerings.
[3]
Apple Working on AI Doctor and Health App Revamp
The new tool could be released as soon as iOS 19.4, which is currently planned for summer or spring 2026. Apple is allegedly working on an AI-powered doctor, as well as a revamped version of the Health app and a brand new health coach, under the codename Project Mulberry. This isn't a far-off dream from the tech giant. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says that "development is now full steam ahead" and the tool could drop as soon as iOS 19.4, which is currently pegged for spring or summer 2026. The revamped Health app will reportedly collect data from your Apple devices, such as an Apple Watch monitoring your heart rate, and then provide you with healthcare recommendations based on this. For example, suggesting certain foods to someone with signs of high blood pressure. Bloomberg reports that Apple is currently working with a team of in-house physicians and is planning to bring more doctors from different specialisms to create instructional video content. It's also reportedly looking for a celebrity doctor to help provide a linchpin for the content. Food tracking, something that has been notably absent from Apple's previous health features, may be a big part of the app -- throwing Apple in competition with companies like MyFitnessPal and startup Noom, Gurman notes. The newly revamped app could also work as something of a personal trainer, with the iPhone camera being used to capture video of users' workouts, with the app then suggesting technique improvements. This could be connected to Apple's existing Fitness+ platform. Apple's plans to make an AI doctor shouldn't come as that much of a surprise; many of the tech world's best-known voices, like Microsoft's Bill Gates, have been predicting AI encroaching on the world of medical advice. The company itself has been dropping hints about future healthcare projects for some time, with CEO Tim Cook telling CNBC in 2019 that Apple's work in health and wellness will be the company's "greatest contribution to mankind." The new project is set to be led by Dr. Sumbul Desai, who currently leads Apple's health team. Jeff Williams, the company's chief operating officer, is also heavily involved in the project, according to Gurman.
[4]
Apple is said to be developing a revamped Health app with a built-in AI doctor
An AI overhaul may be on the horizon for Apple's Health app. In the newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that Apple is working on a much more comprehensive version of its Health app under the code name Project Mulberry, with plans to integrate an AI agent that would somewhat "replicate" a doctor and act as a personal health coach. In addition to making lifestyle recommendations based on users' health data, the app will reportedly include educational videos from real doctors about an array of health topics. The Health app will also put a new emphasis on food tracking, and may even offer form correction tips for workouts using the device's camera, Gurman reports. The service, unofficially being referred to as Health+, could arrive with iOS 19.4, which Gurman says is expected to be released next spring or summer. In the meantime, Apple reportedly has doctors on staff whose data is being used to train the AI agent, and it's planning to open a studio near Oakland, California where they can film content. Don't be surprised if Health+ arrives with a celebrity doctor on board, too -- according to Gurman, Apple is on the hunt for a "major doctor personality" to be the face of the service.
[5]
Apple's new Health app to feature AI doctors, food tracking, and virtual coaching
Forward-looking: Apple devices have always had a strong focus on health elements, and they will see a big upgrade next year. Not only is Cupertino working on a revamped version of the Health app, but it's also creating a virtual doctor and health coach powered by AI agents. According to Bloomberg's Apple expert Mark Gurman, the new and upgraded health features are part of what is being called Project Mulberry. Gurman said they could be implemented in iOS 19.4, set to arrive in the spring or summer of 2026. Part of the revamp will see the Health app renamed Health+, suggesting it may come with a subscription cost. It will collect data from other Apple or third-party devices, such as an Apple Watch, and provide exercise, nutrition, and general health-improving recommendations based on this information. It's expected that Apple Intelligence will play a big part in all this. Apple is currently training an AI agent with data from physicians on staff. It also wants to bring in outside doctors, including experts in sleep, nutrition, physical therapy, mental health and cardiology, to create videos, which would be used to explain health conditions and lifestyle changes to users. Gurman writes that Apple is also looking for a "major doctor personality" to act as a host. One example Gurman gives is if the Health app detects poor heart-rate trends, which will result in it showing a video explaining the risks of heart disease. Gurman writes that Apple's AI agents may be able to replicate a real doctor - to the extent that such a thing is possible. The upgraded app could also have a strong focus on food tracking, something that hasn't been a major part of other Apple health apps. That would put Apple directly up against the likes of MyFitnessPal and Noom. It could also act as a personal trainer, using a device's camera to analyze user workouts and offer suggestions for improvements. Elsewhere, Gurman notes that for those with diabetes, especially type 1, the non-invasive blood glucose monitoring ability of the Apple Watch may still be many years away. There have been reports that Apple has long been working on the tech, but the technical difficulties and importance of accurate readings mean constant glucose monitors (CGMs) like Dexcom remain the only real option for those averse to daily finger pricks.
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Apple's AI Doctor could leave Wear OS in the dust (if it actually works)
Apple is said to be looking for a "major doctor personality" to host the new service, which is tentatively called Health Plus. Another reported feature is food tracking, with the AI doctor able to assist with nutrition features in an unspecified way. Finally, it's believed that the service could use your device cameras (e.g. iPhone cameras) for some features. One specific camera-related feature mentioned by Gurman was the ability of the AI agent to study your workouts and give advice for improving your technique. This functionality could eventually land on the Fitness Plus service.
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Apple reportedly wants to 'replicate' your doctor next year with new Project Mulberry - 9to5Mac
Apple is cooking up a fully revamped Health app, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. This project, codenamed Mulberry, will feature a new health coach. It's set to debut next spring in iOS 19.4. Gurman describes this new health coach as an "AI agent" that will "replicate" your real doctor. This is part of Tim Cook's long term vision for Apple's greatest societal contribution to be in health care. The health coach will make its debut in a revamped health app, which is on track to launch in iOS 19.4, according to Mark Gurman: Since then, the effort has taken many twists and turns and has roped in other parts of Apple, including its artificial intelligence group. Development is now full steam ahead, with a release due as early as iOS 19.4. That update is scheduled for spring or summer of next year. Apple's revamped health app will utilize much of the health data that the company already has on you (especially if you have an Apple Watch), and then feed it to its new AI coach to offer you new health recommendations. Reportedly, this new AI agent is being trained on data from Apple-hired physicians. The company is looking in to bring in "outside doctors" to create videos for the new health app. Apple is looking to hire sleep experts, nutritionists, physical therapists, mental health experts, and cardiologists. These videos will play to help explain concerning health trends to users, and will be recorded in a new facility in Oakland, California, according to Gurman. Apple also wants to find a 'major doctor personality' to serve as a 'host' for the new service. Some inside of Apple are calling this service 'Health+.' Food tracking will be a huge focus of this app, helping users keep track of what they're consuming. Gurman reports that the AI agents will help users with their nutrition as well. Last but not least, Apple wants to use the rear cameras on the iPhone to study workouts and provide pointers to users, and this integration may tie into Apple Fitness+ in the future: Apple is also working on features that would tap into the cameras on its devices, such as the one on the back of an iPhone. The idea is to let the AI agent study users' workouts and give pointers for improving their technique. This could eventually play into other Apple services, including the existing Fitness+ platform. What do you think of Project Mulberry? Let us know in the comments.
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There are two big issues with Apple's reported 'AI doctor' plan - 9to5Mac
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported a couple of days ago on what he described as "Apple's biggest push into health yet with a new AI doctor." While I completely understand why Apple would want to do this, I think the company will need to tread extremely carefully to avoid the risk of doing more harm than good ... Apple CEO Tim Cook said back in 2019 that he believed health initiatives would be the most important thing the company ever did. On healthcare in particular and your wellbeing, this is an area that I believe, if you zoom out into the future, and you look back, and you ask the question, "What was Apple's greatest contribution to mankind," it will be about health. Because our business has always been about enriching people's lives [and now we are] empowering the individual to manage their health. And we're just at the front end of this. He's reiterated that view on a number of occasions - and I think he may well be right. While I've personally swapped out my Apple Watch for a smart ring, the form factor isn't important; I fully expect an Apple Ring before too long. Healthtech is indeed a massively important and impactful field, and Apple is absolutely making a huge contribution. Features like Afib detection, Fall Detection, Emergency SOS and more have already saved a great many lives. I said a few years ago that we are witnessing the quiet beginning of a huge Apple Health revolution. Less visibly, but even more importantly, Apple's ResearchKit is providing health researchers with a breadth and depth of data that will undoubtedly transform our understanding of countless medical conditions. That data will, over time, save way more lives than any number of direct health alerts to individual Watch wearers. App-based health coaches are already a thing, of course. Apple's activity rings have made a massive contribution to encouraging people to get more exercise, supported by quieter but still important things like prompts to stand and take time out for some breath exercises. Using health devices like smart watches and smart rings to collect data in order to make personalized recommendations is something I really appreciate. Indeed, I've suggested that Apple should buy Oura not for the hardware - which the Cupertino company can easily replicate - but for the excellent app. I gave the example of the personalized input the Oura app gave me regarding sleep quality: It noticed I slept better when going to bed at around 11pm, so proactively recommended considering that, and prompting me to start winding down an hour or so beforehand. It also noted I slept better after a medium amount of exercise, rather than soon after a lot or a little [...] The app has completely won me over. It's clear that a huge amount of thought has gone into deciding what to show as standard, when to prompt you with personalized alerts and suggestions, and when to offer more general advice. Apple's Health app is visually beautiful, and very easy to use, but it's never made me feel like I have a personal health and fitness coach in my pocket; the Oura app does. Oura is in the process of rolling out an AI-based health coach into the app, and I'm cautiously curious about that. What worried me about Gurman's report was that "AI doctor" label. Of course, this phrase is almost certainly one Gurman has coined to describe his own understanding of the goal of the feature - I don't think it's remotely likely Apple will actually use that term. But whatever label the iPhone maker lands on, perceptions matter. If users perceive the advice to be coming from an AI personal trainer or coach, that's one thing. They understand the limits of that expertise, whether offered by a human or an app. But if users perceive the new AI to be offering them more general health advice, and it strays into areas more commonly associated with family doctors than PTs, that potentially puts Apple in very dangerous territory. People may rely on AI advice when they should really be seeing a medical professional. Of course, you can argue that the app would always play safe - in case of any doubt at all, it will direct users to seek out a doctor. But there are two big problems with this. First, if the AI doctor makes a habit of suggesting people need to visit a real one, it will eventually be ignored. Constantly crying wolf runs the huge risk of people failing to seek help on the few occasions they really need to. Second, it's an AI system. There's no telling what it will or won't do. Its guidelines may tell it to err on the side of caution, but as I've said more times than I could count, AI systems are not intelligent. Nor do they reliably follow their guidelines. So yes, I'm totally persuaded that healthtech can make a massive contribution to the world, and I'm certain Apple will be a key player in that. But I very much hope this is one area of AI where Apple will be exceedingly careful not to over-promise.
[9]
iOS 19 could pack an 'AI doctor' in your iPhone -- here's how
Apple is working on its most ambitious health intervention to date, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Gurman reveals the existence of Project Mulberry, the latest incarnation of its long-term plan to offer AI health coaching. In its new form, Apple reportedly envisages an AI agent that's able to "replicate -- at least to some extent -- a real doctor" within the Health app. As a concept, it's extremely simple, though making it work well is anything but. Gurman explains the vision is for the Health app to carry on collecting data from your connected devices, be it the heart rate from your Apple Watch, or your weight from a third-party connected scale. The difference is that the AI coach will now use all available information to provide "tailor-made recommendations about ways to improve health". At the moment, the AI agent is being trained by physicians on the Apple payroll, but the company apparently intends to source external specialists in "sleep, nutrition, physical therapy, mental health and cardiology" to help with video creation. The idea is that if the app detects a possible issue, you'll be served content with suggested lifestyle improvements to tackle the problem. If your connected devices consistently surface worrying heart-rate data, for example, you may get a video explaining heart disease so you can try and address the underlying issues. The aim is to find a "major doctor personality" to host the service, Gurman writes. Beyond that, the Health app will be getting some big additions, with food tracking a big part of it, which should give the creators of MyFitnessPal cause for concern. There's also talk of the app using your iPhone's camera to help study workout form. Gurman says that development is well underway, and a release is "due as early as iOS 19.4". It's certainly ambitious, and matches Tim Cook's long-term ambition for Apple to make a serious contribution to the world's health. All the same, it's hard not be a little skeptical about the limitations of this approach. Firstly, wearables have limits about the information they can track, and some medical hardware can't be miniturized to a form that's comfortable to be worn at all times, which leaves big gaps in the holistic health picture. Generic advice might be the order of the day, and AI agents could struggle to spot unusual conditions. Worse, this could lull users into a false sense of security: if the AI doctor has no concerns, then a potentially at-risk patient might delay a life-saving checkup. I would, therefore, expect to see all kinds of caveats provided to any AI guidance. That said, on aggregate, it could still be a net positive. It's one thing to feel you lose a few pounds, but quite another to get a prompt from your iPhone saying you're at risk of heart disease based on metrics measured from you. For some, that could be the big wake-up call they need for serious lifestyle changes to take root. It will be a while before we find out. We're at least a year away from the first implementation, with Gurman suggesting a launch with iOS 19.4, due in the spring or summer of next year.
[10]
Look out! Apple Intelligence reportedly wants to manage your health
Health+ service, known internally as Project Mulberry, will see Health app completely revamped and, inevitably, powered by AI. Having revolutionized the computing, music, phone, and gaming industries across a quarter-century of dazzling innovation, Apple is turning its attention to the far more important healthcare sector. And AI is a big part of the company's plan. In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman does a deep dive into a major project at Cupertino which is known internally by the codename "Mulberry." Intended to culminate in another subscription service, likely branded as Health+, this project will see the Health app completely revamped and given a new AI-powered "health coach" feature. The AI element would, Gurman writes, "replicate -- at least to some extent -- a real doctor," which is likely to set off alarm bells with those who have struggled with Apple Intelligence. The company's AI system has been dogged by problems since it launched last year, and while such teething pains might not be disastrous when a feature is trying to summarize app notifications, the prospect of a misfiring AI giving unreliable health advice is deeply troubling. If you're thinking that you will soon be able to speak to an AI doctor on your iPhone, however, that might not be quite how the service plays out. The idea is that the Health app collects data from your iPhone, Apple Watch, and any other Apple or compatible products capable of monitoring health information, much as it does at present. The difference is that an AI coach will interpret that information to offer health advice tailored to your body, circumstances, and needs. That AI coach is currently being trained using "data from physicians that [Apple] has on staff," Gurman reports. Let's hope the training is more thorough than the regimen that Genmoji went through. You may see the faces of doctors on screen, but these will be real, flesh-and-blood medics rather than AI-generated ones. Apple is recruiting healthcare professionals, "including experts in sleep, nutrition, physical therapy, mental health and cardiology," to make a series of videos that will serve as explainers. If Health decides, based on your data, that you need to make changes to your diet, for example, you might then be shown a video about food tracking or getting more fresh vegetables. One of the medical recruits, someone Gurman describes as a "major doctor personality" will be chosen to be the face of the service and its de facto host. Which makes sense from a marketing and interactivity point of view. But one would hope that Apple's real priorities are on the medical side of things rather than the presentation. The project is expected to come to fruition as part of the iOS 19.4 software in the spring or summer of 2026. Apple is expected to unveil iOS 19 at its WWDC keynote on June 9, so we may learn more about the feature soon.
[11]
The thought of Apple's AI doctor makes me a little queasy
Is AI giving you an ulcer? Good news! Soon you'll be able to turn to AI for help with that! Uhhhnnnn...Look out! Apple Intelligence reportedly wants to manage your health. People in the U.S.: "Our healthcare system is broken!" The market: "Maybe giving people wrong answers will fix it." Apparantly, Apple is working on "Project Mulberry," which involves a new Health app with a health coach. If the idea of entrusting your health to a chatbot, the current crop of which is anything but confidence-inspiring, sounds like a dystopian nightmare to you, join the club. The club is called "humanity." We meet every day. There are no dues but we also tend not to accomplish that much. Before we start popping antacid pills over this concept, though, remember that Apple works on a lot of things that never see the light of day. And it's not like the company's current track record in delivering on AI projects is any better than the Macalope's at learning programming or cleaning the basement out or saving for retirement or... Okay, look, you know what? This isn't about the Macalope. This is about Apple and Tim Cook's desire to make health care a signature feature of the company's products: Development is now full steam ahead, with a release due as early as iOS 19.4. That update is scheduled for spring or summer of next year. Given that Apple has had such a hard time delivering a more conversational version of Siri, "as early as" seems to be doing a lot of work in that sentence. The company is currently training the AI agent with data from physicians that it has on staff. That is, at least, a lot better than just reading the entire internet and regurgitating whatever answer happened to trend to the top on Reddit, possibly from noted health expert picklerick69. One of the most obvious problems with the current crop of AI models is that none of the companies working on them wants to do the hard work of creating defined data sets that route out the bon mots of the picklerick69s of the world, no matter how pithy they may be. "Ugh, it's so much easier if we just let it read the entire internet, why can't we just do thaaaaaat?" they complain as they idly toss lit matches into piles of $10,000 bills. You don't need an AI chat doctor to tell you that it would be seriously detrimental to your health to hold your breath until Apple delivers on this rumor. [Apple is] also seeking to find a major doctor personality to serve as a host of sorts for the new service, which some within Apple have tentatively dubbed "Health+." AI-delivered healthcare sounds more like Health- to the Macalope but what does he know. Best of luck to Apple in finding a spokesdoctor who doesn't raise the ire of one group or another and best of luck to Apple and said spokesdoctor on surviving the resulting landslide of litigation waiting for them the second it goes wrong. CNN's Allison Morrow recently keyed a spot-on piece about AI for CNN that gets to why the Macalope does not believe for a second that an Apple Intelligence-powered doctor will be arriving any time soon. Largely in response to pie-eyed AI enthusiasm of The New York Times' Kevin Roose, Morrow notes that while AI is great for making suggestions (which is why it's so good for tasks like coding), it is nowhere near ready to be a true digital assistant. If it's 100% accurate, it's a fantastic time saver. If it is anything less than 100% accurate, it's useless. Because even if there's a 2% chance it's wrong, there's a 2% chance you're stranding mom at the airport... Now apply those same numbers to health care and you see how there might be a bit of a problem. "Looks like you have eczema. Or maybe a flesh-eating disease. Could be that, too. Hey, would you like to see some images of people in your contacts list as cats?" Apple's efforts in health under Tim Cook have been thoughtfully executed and provided solid value to customers (even arguably saving lives), if they have fallen short of all the company's goals. Adding an AI "doctor" to the mix had best be done in the same deliberative manner, which means taking it slow.
[12]
An Apple a day? Your iPhone could soon have an AI Doctor thanks to a new iOS 19 Health app
A new rumor says it will be powered by AI and could replicate a real doctor 'at least to some extent' Following reports that Apple is planning a major overhaul of its Health app in iOS 19, fresh and more detailed information has revealed that it might feature an AI agent that would act like a virtual doctor. Earlier this year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple "is planning a revamped Health app - as well as an AI-based coaching service." Now, the same source says Apple is working on a health coach that could replicate your doctor. Writing in his latest Power On Newsletter, Gurman notes that some of the company's grander health plans - notably, blood glucose monitoring - are still a way off. As such, he says Apple has turned to something that could arrive much sooner. "The initiative is called Project Mulberry, and it involves a completely revamped Health app plus a health coach," he writes. Most notably, Gurman says, "The service would be powered by a new AI agent that would replicate - at least to some extent - a real doctor." According to Gurman's report, we can expect this major health revamp "as early as iOS 19.4". Sadly, that means it's unlikely to feature on the best iPhones until next year. Gurman says the Health app will collate data from your iPhone, Apple Watch, earbuds (such as future AirPods with heart rate monitoring), and other third-party products. Then, the AI coach "will use that information to offer tailor-made recommendations about ways to improve health." Apple is reportedly training its AI agent with data from physicians who work at Apple, and the company wants to bring in other doctors with expertise in sleep, nutrition, mental health, and more. Gurman says Apple will create videos to serve as explainers about certain conditions, along with pointers to make lifestyle improvements. The videos are being filmed at a facility in Oakland, California, according to the report, and Apple is "also seeking to find a major doctor personality to serve as a host of sorts for the new service, which some within Apple have tentatively dubbed 'Health+.'" Another big part of the app will be food tracking, with Apple taking on the best fitness apps like MyFitnessPal. With Apple Watch integration a certainty, it's likely that some of these Health upgrades will find their way into watchOS 12, too. Gurman says the app is the top priority of Apple's health team, and it may even lean on data from cameras on devices in the future. While a revamp of the Apple Health app is an exciting prospect, it's one that probably won't arrive in time for the iPhone 17 in September, although it's possible that some features could debut earlier, with the AI-powered agent following later down the line. With Apple delaying other Apple Intelligence features like its big Siri upgrade, the company needs a big AI win and fast. Is an AI-powered doctor the answer?
[13]
Health app's future AI assistant will tell you how to keep fit
The Apple Health app could offer AI-based coaching to users in a similar way to a real doctor, with food tracking also likely to be a big feature in a future app update. The Health app is used as a central store for a user's health metrics. Compiling together data collected from hardware like the Apple Watch and from its own sensors to give users an overall view of their fitness and health. While the current app can identify and notify on trends and other insights, a future version of the app could offer a lot more help. Thanks to the use of artificial intelligence. According to Mark Gurman in Bloomberg's newsletter on Sunday, Apple is working on Project Mulberry. An initiative to rework the Health app as well as adding a health coach. The idea is that a new AI agent would monitor the data in the Health app and provide feedback to the user on how to improve their health. This will apparently work to offer advice similar to how a real doctor would to a patient. Apple is reportedly training the AI with data from in-house physicians. It is also planning to work with outside experts on sleep, nutrition, physical therapy, mental health, and cardiology. Those experts will provide video content for the app, to educate users on topics such as heart disease or ways to improve their lifestyle. This will all be filmed at a new Apple facility near Oakland, California. A major medical personality is apparently being sought by Apple, who will be the host of the app's extra services. This could be under the title of "Health+." As for when the new app could arrive, Gurman writes that a release could happen as early as iOS 19.4, or about a year away. While the main feature of the revised app would be the AI assistant, there are also other changes on the horizon, according to the newsletter. Food tracking will be an important element, expanding on the existing limited nutrition feature of the Health app. While Gurman doesn't say what will be changed, it will apparently see Apple going against other established food tracking services, such as MyFitnessPal. The AI agent will also apparently help users with nutritional needs. Apple is also planning on improving how users actually work out. It is proposed that Apple could use cameras on the back of the iPhone or iPad to capture footage of users working out. The AI agent could then study the workouts and provide tips to improve their technique. This goes beyond the current Apple Watch-based Fitness+ workouts, which monitor the motion of the wearable, to give more practical workout advice. It may also be integrated into the Fitness+ platform itself. Apple has been working on the concept of enhanced health and fitness tools for a number of years already. Previously known as Project Quartz, this has included claims over the years that Apple has been working on using machine learning and AI to offer a coaching service to users. Despite the lengthy development time, the AI health agent could offer Apple a near-term win versus waiting for hardware changes. Apple has been working on features such as a non-invasive glucose monitor and blood pressure monitoring for the Apple Watch for many years. However, technical roadblocks have repeatedly caused problems for its development.
[14]
Apple's next major heath bet could be an AI doctor
Table of Contents Table of Contents What to expect from an Apple AI coach? Fitting nicely with the future hardware upgrades Apple's efforts in the health segment are a class ahead of the competition. But more than just racing ahead with innovation, the company has taken a more holistic approach that focuses on deep collaboration with experts, thorough validation, and long-term collaboration with its user community on medical studies. The new hearing aid facility on AirPods is one such fresh specimen of Apple's efforts. Then you have features like fall detection, looking for signs of non-rhythmic heart activity, and more. The next big bet from Apple could be an AI agent that acts like a doctor and might arrive as early as next year. Recommended Videos "The initiative is called Project Mulberry, and it involves a completely revamped Health app plus a health coach. The service would be powered by a new AI agent that would replicate -- at least to some extent -- a real doctor," says Bloomberg. Please enable Javascript to view this content What to expect from an Apple AI coach? As per the report, Apple is targeting a wide release of this system with the iOS 19.4 update, which is currently lined up for a release in the Spring or Summer season next year. The idea is ambitious at Apple's scale, though not entirely novel. Essentially, all the activity and wellness data collected in the Health app will be assessed by an AI coach. Based on this data, the AI health assistant will offer personalized recommendations. Back in 2024, Google launched a "Personal AI" within the Fitbit ecosystem that will offer actionable insights based on lifestyle patterns and workouts. Last year, an upstart named ExerRing also introduced a smart ring that puts an AI coach on your fingers. The Circular Ring 2, which promises ECG measurement and blood pressure sensing, also brings an AI coach to the table via the connected mobile app. Fitting nicely with the future hardware upgrades In Apple's case, expectedly, the efforts are far more expansive. "The company is currently training the AI agent with data from physicians that it has on staff. Apple is also looking to bring in outside doctors, including experts in sleep, nutrition, physical therapy, mental health and cardiology, to create videos," says the Bloomberg report. As far as utility goes, let's say the Apple Watch detects a spike in heart rate. The Health app will log it, and then show a video from a doctor on how to best move ahead. Apple will offer a similar convenience tied to food and dietary assistance. The AI agent will also take a peek at users exercising through their phone's camera, and will offer insights and suggestions in real-time. This could tie well into Apple's plans of AirPods with an onboard camera, and a similar hardware upgrade for the Apple Watch.
[15]
Apple's plan to use AI for personalized health coaching might change everything
The Apple Watch is already the company's health tracker, and the AirPods will follow suit. Still, the iPhone maker wants to do more when it comes to health. As of right now, Apple devices keep track of various health metrics such as heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and calories burned, but that data is just collected. The company does appear to have a plan to make use of that health data with the help of AI. Apple wants its Health app, which tracks those health metrics, to offer AI coaching to improve your health, according to a report from Bloomberg. This new strategy, reportedly referred to as Project Mulberry or Health+ among employees, is underway at the company, with doctors brought in to train AI agents. These doctors and other experts are also making videos to explain certain health issues and what can be done to improve them, the report says. The goal of this project is to have an AI coach that can look at all the health data collected from the various Apple and third-party devices to give recommendations on how to improve a user's health. Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on this new health project. The Apple Watch was the company's primary way of gathering health metrics. That could be changing in the future with the AirPods being its next health-tracking device. Apple reportedly wants its earbuds to have heart-rate monitoring, temperature sensing, and other sensors in order to gather more data on the user. The company also filed paperwork for a patent to have the AirPods keep track of other fitness metrics, such as how steadily a person walks and their breathing patterns, in order to determine if a person has a possible health ailment. These plans for the AirPods are still a long way from happening, if they ever do. AI, however, is the feature Apple is currently wrestling with. The company revealed its big endeavor into AI with Apple Intelligence when it unveiled the iPhone 16 last September. The rollout for Apple Intelligence, however, has yet to meet the standard the company is known for. Even though Apple Intelligence "launched" not long after the release of the latest iPhone, the features Apple showed off have been slowly trickling out. Currently, Apple Intelligence can do certain functions like summarizing notifications, offering smart replies for texts, and cleaning up photos that a user may not want anymore, but it's still lagging behind. Most notably, the big integration of AI into Siri to give the assistant an overhaul to become a true AI assistant has yet to materialize. Apple scrapped its plans for this smarter Siri and has plans to release the updated assistant sometime next year. This change also led to a shake-up within Apple, as the head of the team that developed the Vision Pro VR headset has reportedly been put in charge of the Siri team. Apple will hold its Worldwide Developer Conference starting June 9. This is the annual event where the company shows off the new features coming to iOS 19 and its other devices.
[16]
Apple Quietly Working on AI Agent to "Replica" a Human Doctor
As it struggles to hit its stride in the generative AI race, Apple is quietly working on an "AI doctor service," Bloomberg reports -- a move that the company seemingly hopes will revitalize its foray into medical tech. The secret initiative -- dubbed Project Mulberry and nicknamed "Health+" -- aims to give a facelift to Apple's fairly basic Health app, along with integrating a "health coach." Bloomberg described the service as being powered "by a new AI agent that would replicate -- at least to some extent -- a real doctor." The use of the term "AI agent" here is noteworthy, as it entails a higher degree of autonomy than a model described as an AI assistant. Using your Apple devices like an iPhone or Apple Watch, the idea is that the revamped Health app will collect all sorts of health metrics ranging from your heart-rate. Then, based on that data, the AI doctor will recommend ways to improve your health. Just how deep will these recommendations go? Per the report, the Health app will have a major emphasis on food tracking, something that the current app doesn't do. In some shape or form, the AI doctor is supposed to help users with those nutrition features, though it's unclear how. Ambitiously, Apple is also working on using your phone's camera so the AI agent can study your workout, giving you tips on your form. It's worth being skeptical about how these features will work in practice. Apple's stab at AI, Apple Intelligence, was largely seen as an underwhelming flop. The greatest concern is the tech's proclivity for hallucinating, something that Apple caught flak for when its AI constantly butchered summaries of news headlines, leading the company to suspend the feature. These misinformation risks won't go away with deploying an "AI doctor." If anything, the stakes will be higher. To that end, Apple is trying to assemble a medical A-team, including experts in sleep, nutrition, physical therapy, mental health, and cardiology, per Bloomberg, to create explainer videos that the AI doctor would refer patients to. If your data shows poor heart rate trends, for example, then the AI would show you a video made by one of these doctors about the risk of heart disease. Apple is also searching for a "major doctor personality" to serve as the face of the service. As it stands, the project is the top priority for Apple's entire health division, and is being led by Sumbul Desai, a Stanford doctor who serves as the company's VP of health. A release is due as early as iOS 19.4, according to the report, a software update that's anticipated to rollout next spring or summer.
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Apple's AI Doctor could transform your health, here's why
Table of Contents Table of Contents Integrations with every third-party More accurate than your doctor Integration is the key Key features I'd like the Apple AI Doctor to have Apple has been one of the most transformative companies of our lifetime. Products like the iPhone, the iPad, and the iPod have established or transformed entire segments of the technology market, but the company's biggest impact could be in health. Smartwatches and fitness trackers existed long before the first Apple Watch, but Apple's foray into the health space transformed how we stay in shape. As the popularity of the Apple Watch and iPhone has grown, so has their utility in managing your health, especially as third-party app developers and equipment makers have created new experiences. Recommended Videos However, Apple Health is more than just the Apple Watch, and the latest report from Mark Gurman suggests that Apple is working on a new AI-powered Doctor as part of a revamped Apple Health. Here's why that could transform your health. Integrations with every third-party What do you use to track your health? I use an Apple Watch for many things, but I also have a Fitbit. I use a Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitor (CGM) for tracking my blood sugar, as well as an Oura Ring or the RingConn Gen 2, and all of these also sync data to Apple Health. Then, there are the integrations with your medical chart provider, which remains Apple Health's greatest strength. It's widely available in the US but limited globally, and it allows you to see all the health data from your medical records directly in the Health app on your iPhone. I've been using the Apple Watch and Apple Health to manage my health since I had a heart attack four years ago. The integration with your health provider and the ability to pull and display your conditions, test results, and medications mean Apple Health can be a single source of truth for a holistic picture of your health. Aside from a few Android-specific brands, most health products integrate with Apple Health. Many of the best scales can directly sync your latest weight reading to Apple Health, while CGMs, other fitness trackers, smart rings, and medical devices can all add valuable data to your iPhone's health record. More accurate than your doctor AI will inevitably be prevalent throughout every facet of life, but Apple Health's integration and wide-ranging reach reveal a particular flaw in the current healthcare system. After my heart attack, I realized that the key problem with the universal way that doctors gather data is that it lacks enough context. If you've put weight on since your last visit, your doctor may not dig too deep into it and may say to try and shed a few pounds. However, being able to see your weight over several months can allow your doctor to catch any potential issues early. The same applies to blood pressure machines and cardiac measuring devices like Kardia Mobile 6-Lead Portable EKG and CGMs. The two big CGM makers allow your doctor to access your blood sugar data directly, which is widely used by most endocrinologists who prescribe CGMs to their patients. Apple Health has more information than your doctor, but crucially, it's also far more accurate and relevant. Scales like the Withings Body Scan can track far more than just your weight; they also take EKGs, capture a body scan, and provide granular information about several key health metrics. This data can be integrated into your iPhone and made accessible to AI. Integration is the key Apple's ability to persuade medical institutions and government bodies to embrace technology in the medical industry has been key to the value of the Apple Watch and Apple Health. Many established medical professions have processes and procedures that require extensive resources to oversee, but Apple -- as well as Samsung and Google -- have the resources and desire to help effect change. The result is that the Apple Watch has saved many lives, and this integration will be key to an AI-powered doctor. Imagine being able to ask your iPhone why you have a specific symptom, such as big headaches, fatigue, or dizziness. Your doctor will then ask a few follow-up questions and prescribe something or, in some cases, run further checks. In a few weeks or months, further follow-ups and some of the same questions and tests will need to be repeated. Now, imagine a world where this is AI-powered and much simpler. AI can constantly monitor the patient in the background and proactively alert the doctor when there's something to check further. Instead of waiting until you spot a problem, your iPhone can help you and your doctor catch it early and hopefully increase the chances of a full recovery. Key features I'd like the Apple AI Doctor to have Second, I think the ideal form for Apple's AI-powered Doctor is not to replace your existing healthcare provider. Rather, it should enhance how you and your doctor communicate and work together to solve your health. There are few details on what the Apple AI Doctor will do, but having spent extensive time in the medical system as a patient, I can think of a few features that I hope Apple works on. First, I want to ensure that my doctor can automatically see all the information in the Apple Health app. The weight in my medical record should be an average of my daily recording, not a statistic from an arbitrary moment. My blood pressure, blood glucose, and EKG readings will be far more useful if doctors and consultants can see the data from my Apple Watch. Second, I want to ask the AI Doctor questions about my health in a conversational tone. The revamped Health app will reportedly also focus on food intake, and as a diabetic, being able to ask an AI about the impact of specific foods, activities, or habits can transform your health over time. Third, I want Apple to integrate this AI with diabetic apps. By far, my biggest health problem is diabetes. Although it's under control, and I had more damage to my heart at the time of the heart attack, diabetes is a deadly disease, and I would love to be able to use Apple Health+ as my doctor, who's available 24/7. Although I want this to work with all apps, the key feature I'd like at launch is for diabetics, as AI could transform how we self-care. I drive long distances, but I can't ask Siri about my blood sugar while driving. On long drives, I must be careful that my blood sugar doesn't crash while driving and that I time any stops to eat to coincide with freeway services. I have to do this manually while driving or before leaving, but I really want to be able to ask how AI when it expects I'll need to eat. It's unclear exactly what Apple's AI Doctor will be capable of -- and whether the company will even launch it -- but the potential for an AI Doctor in your pocket at all times could transform how we manage our health. I'm particularly excited to see how this develops as a patient and how I can integrate it into my health.
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Apple is Building an AI Agent-Powered Health App: Reports
The AI coach is designed to use data to offer recommendations and suggestions for improving the user's health. Apple, the Cupertino giant, is reportedly developing a revamped version of its Health app powered by an AI agent, Bloomberg reported. It is called 'Project Mulberry' and features a health coach. The report further indicated that development is progressing at full steam and the new version may launch with iOS 19.4, which could arrive soon or be delayed until next year. The Health app will continue fetching data from connected Apple devices and third-party apps, and the AI coach is designed to use this data to offer recommendations and suggestions for improving the user's health. Moreover, Apple is training AI agents with data from physicians who collaborate with the company. As per reports, Apple will also bring in external health experts to create content that explains health conditions and offers methods for health improvements. For example, the report noted that if the Health app receives data about poor heart rate trends, a video explaining the risks of heart disease could appear. Furthermore, Apple is also working on features allowing the AI agent to use the camera and offer suggestions regarding the user's physical activities and workouts. Having said that, Apple's attempts at AI, particularly with Apple Intelligence, have not been successful so far. The features have suffered from bugs and inaccuracies, leaving users largely dissatisfied. Apple's health-based AI initiatives signal towards offering users a stronger value proposition against the competition. Recently, reports stated that Apple plans to integrate cameras into a future edition of the Apple Watch for AI features. The report also mentioned that Apple is considering adding cameras to both the standard Series and Ultra models. The standard Series variant of the Apple Watch will include a camera within its display, similar to the front-facing camera on the iPhone. In contrast, the Apple Watch Ultra will have a camera lens positioned on the side of the watch, close to the crown and the button.
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Apple plans biggest push into health: revamped Health app, AI doctor service coming soon
TL;DR: Apple is advancing its health initiatives with projects like a noninvasive glucose monitor for the Apple Watch and Project Mulberry, which includes an AI-powered health coach in the Health app. The app will offer personalized health recommendations and educational content, with a focus on food tracking and potential integration with device cameras for workout analysis. Apple is thirsty for the health market, with some rumored upgrades coming from the company that would add an AI doctor into its Health app, using its wearables to monitor users' health and alert them to any issues, or help them with their general health along the way. In a new report from Bloomberg insider Mark Gurman, Apple "has some moon-shot initiatives in the works that could indeed transform the health industry. That includes a 15-year-plus project to create a noninvasive glucose monitor. The idea, which originated while Steve Jobs was still alive, is to add a sensor to the Apple Watch that can inform users if they are prediabetic, helping them potentially avoid the full-blown condition". This project remains "active" at Apple notes Gurman, and has reached "key milestones" but they're still "many years away" from delivering this new feature. Apple has hit some issues regarding health sensors, including for blood oxygen and hypertension. The blood oxygen monitoring feature was dropped from the Apple Watch over a patent fight, while the hypertension feature has had issues in development. Apple is reportedly working on something called Project Mulberry, involving a complete revamp of the Health app plus a health coach, which would see the service powered by a new AI agent that would replicate -- at least to "some extent" notes Gurman -- a real, physical doctor. Gurman first wrote about Apple's new ventures into Health when it was codenamed Project Quartz, and since then the initiative has taken "many twists and turns and has roped in other parts of Apple, including its artificial intelligence group". Development on Project Mulberry is now full steam ahead, with Gurman writing that we can expect a release as early as iOS 19.4, which is scheduled for the spring or summer of 2026. How will it work? The updated Health app will collect data from your devices -- be it the iPhone, Apple Watch, earbuds, or third-party products -- with the new AI coach using that information to offer tailor-made recommendations on how to improve your health. Apple is currently training an AI agent with data from physicians that it has on staff. Apple is also looking to bring in outside doctors, with experts in sleep, nutrition, physical therapy, mental health, and cardiology, so that they can make videos on their respective fields. This content would then be served as explainers to users about particular conditions and provide them with recommendations on how to make lifestyle improvements. For example, if Apple's updated Health app receives data about poor heart rate trends, then it would serve up a video about the risks of heart disease. Gurman continues, adding that "Food tracking will be a particularly big part of the revamped app. That's an area that Apple has mostly avoided, so far, though the current Health app does let you enter data for things like carbohydrates and caffeine. Going big on food tracking would mean challenging services such as MyFitnessPal and, to some extent, weight-management apps like Noom. The doctor-like AI agent will help users with the nutrition features as well". He added: "Apple is also working on features that would tap into the cameras on its devices, such as the one on the back of an iPhone. The idea is to let the AI agent study users' workouts and give pointers for improving their technique. This could eventually play into other Apple services, including the existing Fitness+ platform".
[20]
Apple is quietly building an AI health coach
Apple is reportedly developing an "AI doctor," according to Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, but there are potential pitfalls if users perceive it as a replacement for actual medical advice. While health initiatives could be Apple's greatest contribution, there are challenges to navigate. Apple CEO Tim Cook stated in 2019 that healthcare would be the company's most significant contribution to mankind, emphasizing its role in enriching lives and empowering individuals to manage their health. Apple's existing health features, such as Afib detection, Fall Detection, and Emergency SOS, have already proven to be life-saving. Additionally, ResearchKit provides health researchers with extensive data to improve understanding of various medical conditions. App-based health coaching is already present with Apple's activity rings encouraging exercise. The Oura app provides personalized recommendations based on collected data, such as suggesting optimal sleep times based on observed sleep quality. Why are people wearing Apple Watch on their ankles? The concern arises with the "AI doctor" label, as users might misinterpret its capabilities and rely on it for general health advice instead of consulting medical professionals. The risk is that people may depend on AI for guidance when a real doctor is necessary. One problem is that if the AI frequently suggests seeing a doctor, users may start ignoring the advice, leading them to disregard critical warnings. Another issue is the unreliable nature of AI systems, which may not consistently follow their guidelines, despite being programmed to err on the side of caution.
[21]
Apple's Planned Health App Could Let You Chat With an AI Doctor
The AI doctor chatbot will reportedly get a professional personality Apple is reportedly working on revamping the Health app and plans to add an artificial intelligence (AI) doctor. As per the report, the Cupertino-based tech giant is planning to offer users a personalised experience with its app, complete with ecosystem-wide data tracking and health recommendations based on the information. Based on the description, it appears to be similar to Samsung's Galaxy AI-powered health coach feature, which was released with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 in 2024. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported in his Power On newsletter that the tech giant is working on a new initiative that includes revamping its existing Health app and adding new AI-powered capabilities. The initiative is reportedly called Project Mulberry internally. Gurman claimed that the project is a top priority for the company, with the release of the new app expected alongside the iOS 19.4 update. Jeff Williams, the Chief Operating Officer at Apple, and the company's health teams head, Sumbul Desai, are reportedly heavily involved in this project. The duo are said to be focused on avoiding any setbacks, similar to the ones suffered by the company in the past. According to Gurman, Apple has previously failed to develop a health-focused app that was aimed at pairing users with doctors to answer generic medical queries. Meanwhile, the company has been reportedly working on a non-invasive blood sugar monitoring sensor for the Apple Watch, but it is unclear when it could be ready. With the revamped Health app, the company is reportedly planning to let the app collect data across devices such as the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods, as well as supported third-party devices. The data will reportedly then be used by an AI system that will offer personalised recommendations to users about improving their health. The AI chatbot, which will act as the app's AI doctor, is said to be trained using data from Apple's on-staff physicians. Gurman claimed that the company is also planning to bring in outside doctors with expertise in sleep, nutrition, physical therapy, mental health, and cardiology. These doctors will reportedly make videos on common health conditions and tips to improve lifestyle. These videos will reportedly be shown as part of the recommendations from the AI doctor if the app notices poor health metrics from the data collected. The app is also said to offer food tracking, a new avenue for the company. This will theoretically allow users to add their daily meals, and the app will automatically add calories and macronutrients. The AI coach is said to offer recommendations on the users' nutrition intake as well. Apple is reportedly working on adding camera access to the app as well. This is said to allow the AI doctor to monitor the user's workout routines and offer tips to improve their technique. These features are said to be tied to the company's Fitness+ platform with a paid subscription, eventually. To let the doctors shoot video content for the planned app, Apple is reportedly opening a new facility near Oakland, California. The iPhone maker is said to also be looking for a "doctor personality" for its chatbot.
[22]
Apple to revamp Health app with AI-powered virtual doctor
Apple's Project Mulberry aims to revamp the Health app with an AI-powered health coach, offering personalised advice based on data from Apple devices. It will include food tracking, expert-led health videos, and workout analysis using device cameras. A new facility in California will support the project.Apple is working on a new health project called Project Mulberry, which is aimed at overhauling its Health app and adding an AI-powered health coach, according to tech journalist Mark Gurman's Power On newsletter. Initially called 'Project Quartz', it has since evolved with input from Apple's AI team and other departments. The revamped app is expected to launch next year. The company is also searching for a well-known doctor to host the new service, which is rumoured to be called "Health+." What Is Project Mulberry? Project Mulberry will upgrade the Health app to give personalised advice based on data from Apple devices such as the iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods, and even third-party products. The AI health coach will analyse this data and offer recommendations similar to what a real doctor might advise. Also Read: Apple working on AI-powered health coaching service, says report Apple is training the AI with data from its own doctors and plans to bring in outside experts in areas such as sleep, nutrition, physical therapy, mental health, and cardiology. These experts will create helpful video content to explain different health conditions and lifestyle tips. Gurman gave this example: if the app notices poor heart-rate patterns, it might suggest a video about heart disease risks and prevention. What else? One major addition is food tracking, an area Apple hasn't focused on much before. The current Health app lets users log basics such as carbohydrates and caffeine, but Project Mulberry aims to offer much more detailed tracking, like reaching one's nutrition goals. This could put Apple in competition with apps such as MyFitnessPal and Noom, according to Gurman. Apple is also looking at how its device cameras can help with health tracking. For example, the iPhone's rear camera might be used to analyse workouts and provide tips on improving form. This could work alongside Apple's Fitness+ platform. To support this project, Apple is opening a new facility near Oakland, California, where doctors will record videos for the app.
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Apple Reportedly Working On A New Health App Codenamed 'Mulberry,' Which Will Feature An 'AI Agent' Designed To Be Trained On Data Acquired From Hiring Medical Professionals
Integrated health-focused features have always been one of Apple's core beliefs, which ultimately ends up being its marketing cry as no other company has successfully brought these additions to a bevy of products the way the Cupertino firm has. Now, it appears that it wants to turn things up a notch, with a new report stating that it is working on a revamped version of the Health app that is codenamed 'Mulberry' and it will feature an AI agent that has been trained on data that should be accurate enough to replace your current medical professionals. Given the sensitive nature of this agent, Apple is said to be hiring various experts to develop content for this app. The company's plans were shared in the latest 'Power On' newsletter from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, with 9to5Mac reporting that the AI agent that will be a part of the Health app could replicate a real doctor. While that is a tall claim, the development to bring this feature to fruition is said to be CEO Tim Cook's long-term vision of contributing immensely to health care. The AI agent will essentially act as a health coach, and it is said to debut in iOS 19.4 when the update drops in spring. The new Health app will already have accumulated the necessary user data, with those metrics available in larger quantities if an Apple Watch comes into play. This data will then be fed to the health coach, who will provide recommendations. To eliminate or, at the very least, minimize incorrect medical advice being given to users, which is typically the case for AI-generated content, Apple intends to hire medical professionals to create videos for the Health app. The report states that several individuals, including sleep experts, nutritionists, physical therapists, mental health experts, and cardiologists, will be hired to make this possible. All of these videos will supposedly be recorded in a facility stationed in Oakland. Furthermore, Apple is looking for a 'major doctor personality' to serve as a 'host' for the new service, which could internally be called Health+. Keeping track of the food users consume will also be a massive focus for the Health app, but Apple has suffered some setbacks in the AI category, which not only forced it to delay the revamped version of Siri to 2026 but also unnecessarily overhyping these versions, resulting in a lawsuit that was previously said to be achieving class-action status. Since the health category is riskier, any advice resulting in a grim end for the user can be devastating for Apple's image. We will learn more about these efforts in the coming weeks, as the feature is still months away, so stay tuned.
[24]
Apple to launch AI health coach with Health app overhaul in 2026
the AI health coach will offer personalized health recommendations based on user data from devices like iPhone and Apple Watch. Apple is reportedly poised to revolutionize personal wellness with the introduction of an AI-driven health coach integrated into a completely overhauled Health app. The initiative, known internally as Project Mulberry, represents the company's most ambitious effort in the health sector to date. At the heart of the endeavor is an AI health coach, tentatively called Apple Coach, designed to analyze data collected from users' devices such as iPhones and Apple Watches. By examining heart rate patterns, sleep cycles, activity levels, and other health indicators, the AI coach will provide personalized recommendations aimed at improving fitness, nutrition, sleep, and mental well-being. To ensure the accuracy and reliability of the advice offered, Apple is collaborating with a team of medical experts across fields including sleep science, nutrition, physical therapy, cardiology, and mental health. These specialists are contributing their expertise to train the AI system and are also creating educational video content covering a range of wellness topics. Users will have access to a library of videos recorded by doctors, enhancing the app's utility as a comprehensive health resource. An addition to the revamped Health app is the introduction of food tracking capabilities. Users will be able to log their meals and receive nutritional insights, a feature that positions Apple in direct competition with platforms like MyFitnessPal and Noom. The AI coach will assist users in keeping detailed records of their dietary intake, offering personalized meal suggestions and helping manage daily nutrition more effectively. Apple is also developing camera-based features leveraging the iPhone's capabilities to analyze users' workout techniques. The AI coach will provide real-time feedback on exercise form and suggest improvements, akin to having a personal trainer. The integration aims to enhance the effectiveness of workouts and reduce the risk of injury by promoting proper technique. The Health app's overhaul may also involve rebranding it as "Health+," indicating a possible subscription model as Apple seeks to expand its service offerings. While it remains unclear whether the AI health coach will require a subscription, the potential rebranding suggests that some features could be part of a premium package. This initiative aligns with Apple CEO Tim Cook's long-term vision, who has consistently emphasized that healthcare will be the company's legacy. Under his leadership, Apple has been increasingly aggressive in integrating health features into its products, building on years of health-related efforts. The development of the AI health coach is overseen by Apple's health team, led by Sumbul Desai and closely supported by Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams. The project is reportedly progressing rapidly, with development "full steam ahead." If all goes as planned, the new Health+ feature, including the AI-driven health coaching, could arrive with the iOS 19.4 update in the spring or summer of 2026. The timing suggests that while the iOS 19 update is expected in September 2025, users may have to wait a few more months for the AI capabilities to become available. Apple's move into AI-powered health coaching signifies a shift in how technology can proactively assist individuals in managing their health. By leveraging data collected from its devices, Apple aims to offer unprecedented personalization in wellness management. The AI health coach is designed to replicate aspects of a real doctor's guidance, providing tailored health advice based on the user's data profile. The integration of these features into the Health app reflects a broader trend toward personalized, data-driven solutions in technology. It also underscores Apple's commitment to expanding its position in the healthcare industry, potentially redefining how users engage with personal health data. While challenges remain -- such as ensuring the AI's accuracy and dealing with the complexities of health data privacy -- Apple's initiative could mark a step forward in digital health innovation. Stay updated with the latest news! Subscribe to The Jerusalem Post Newsletter Subscribe Now The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.
[25]
Apple Reportedly Developing AI Agent 'Doctors' in Latest Health Push | PYMNTS.com
Apple is reportedly working on an artificial intelligence (AI) agent that can dispense health advice. It's all part of what the company has dubbed "Project Mulberry," Apple's latest -- and perhaps strongest -- push into the health field, Bloomberg News reported Sunday (March 30). According to that report, this project is an interaction of an earlier effort called "Project Quartz," a health coaching service that would deploy AI to help users exercise, develop healthier eating and sleeping habits. Now, the project has ramped up development, the Bloomberg report said, with release possible as soon as Apple releases its iOS 19.4 operating system update, something that could happen in spring or summer of 2025. The idea, the report said, is to have the Health app collect data from devices, with the AI coach then offering users tailored recommendations on improving their health based on that data. Apple is also training an AI agent using data from doctors it has on staff, but is also looking to recruit outside doctors -- such as experts in sleep, nutrition, physical therapy, mental health and cardiology -- to create video explainers about different health conditions. The revamped app will also have a major focus on food tracking, an area that -- per the Bloomberg report -- Apple has mostly shied away from. Such a move would mean going head-to-head with companies like MyFitnessPal and Noom, the report added. As Bloomberg noted, Apple's health efforts have run into roadblocks in the past. For example, the company last year decided to remove a blood oxygen feature from its smartwatch following a yearslong patent dispute with medical technology firm Masimo. In other news from the intersection of AI and healthcare, a new PYMNTS Intelligence report -- "Healthcare Firms Going Long on GenAI Investment" -- finds that investments in this technology are yielding returns, leading to a wave of additional adoption by major players. The report is based on surveys of C-suite executives at healthcare firms with at least $1 billion in yearly revenue, with the goal of understanding their generative AI (GenAI) strategies. "The findings indicate a strong conviction in the technology's potential, with 9 in 10 executives anticipating a positive return on their GenAI investments," PYMNTS wrote. "Consequently, a majority of these leaders plan to further escalate their GenAI spending in the coming year, placing healthcare ahead of the cross-industry average in its bullish outlook. The report highlights the strategic prioritization of GenAI in crucial operational areas as businesses strive to stay competitive.
[26]
iOS 19.4 to offer revamped Health app with virtual doctor feature: Report
Apple plans to introduce an updated Health app for iPhone with iOS 19.4 in 2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The app will feature a new AI-powered health coach that gives tailored advice. Gurman called this coach an "AI agent" designed to "replicate" a real doctor, aligning with Tim Cook's belief that healthcare is Apple's biggest societal impact. The revamped app will use health data, especially from Apple Watch users, to feed the AI coach for personalized recommendations. This project, codenamed Mulberry, relies on training from physicians employed by Apple, Gurman reported. The company also plans to bring in "outside doctors" like sleep specialists, nutritionists, physical therapists, mental health experts, and cardiologists to create videos. These videos, filmed in a new Oakland, California facility, will explain health trends to users. Apple is searching for a "major doctor personality" to host the service, which some insiders call "Health+," he highlighted. Food tracking will play a key role, with the AI helping users monitor their diet. Apple expects to use iPhone rear cameras to analyze workouts and offer pointers, a feature that might connect to Apple Fitness+ later, Gurman said. This camera integration could enhance other Apple services. Apple plans to launch iOS 19 in September 2025, with iOS 19.4 expected in March or April 2026. Development is moving quickly, Gurman noted, targeting a spring or summer release next year.
[27]
Apple's AI Doctor Coming to iPhone's Health App
iPhone's health app to get smart medical coaching in major revamp In a dramatic move towards AI-based healthcare, Apple is set to launch an overhauled Health app with an AI-based health coach that can offer customised medical advice. The initiative, code-named Project Mulberry, is likely to use artificial intelligence to analyse user's health information and provide personalised advice on fitness, well-being, and diet. The shift reflects Apple's desire to make the iPhone a full-fledged health management device, with AI on board to move beyond simple health monitoring.
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Apple's Project Mulberry wants to change medicine forever: AI is the key - Softonic
Apple's Project Mulberry is a new AI-powered health initiative that aims to revolutionize personal healthcare through a redesigned app, virtual coach, and expert videos. Apple is preparing to make a major leap in digital health with the launch of Project Mulberry, a new AI-powered health initiative expected in iOS 19.4. The upcoming version of the Health app will feature a fully redesigned interface and a virtual health coach, potentially reshaping how millions of users manage their wellbeing. At the core of Project Mulberry is an AI agent designed to mimic a real doctor. This intelligent coach will offer personalized health advice using data collected from the Health app and devices like the Apple Watch. Trained on insights from Apple's medical team, the AI will provide users with tailored recommendations based on sleep, nutrition, activity, and more. Apple is also creating a library of educational videos recorded by real doctors, including sleep experts, cardiologists, and nutritionists. These will help users understand complex health trends in a clear and engaging format. The company plans to film the content in a new facility in Oakland, California, and is reportedly searching for a recognizable doctor to serve as the app's face. Beyond AI and video content, the revamped app will include advanced food tracking features to help users monitor their diet more accurately. Additionally, Apple is exploring ways to use the iPhone's rear camera to analyze workouts and provide real-time feedback, possibly linking with Apple Fitness+. Apple's vision, driven by Tim Cook, is to make healthcare its greatest contribution to society. With Project Mulberry, the company is taking a bold step toward turning that vision into reality.
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iOS 19 update: Apple may bring dedicated AI doctor with revamped Health app
This initiative, called Project Mulberry, aims to provide users with health recommendations using AI. Apple is working on a major upgrade to its Health app, which could include an AI-powered health coach, according to a new report. This initiative, called Project Mulberry, aims to provide users with health recommendations using AI. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman shared details about this update in his Power On newsletter. He revealed that Apple's new AI agent will act like a virtual doctor, analysing health data and offering tailored advice. "The initiative is called Project Mulberry, and it involves a completely revamped Health app plus a health coach. The service would be powered by a new AI agent that would replicate -- at least to some extent -- a real doctor," Gurman said. The update could arrive as early as iOS 19.4, which is expected in spring or summer of next year. Also read: Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max price in India, camera, design, and all other leaks The Health app will continue collecting data from devices like the iPhone, Apple Watch, and even third-party products. However, with AI assistance, users will likely get more advanced health insights. "The idea is this: The Health app will continue to collect data from your devices (whether that's the iPhone, Apple Watch, earbuds or third-party products), and then the AI coach will use that information to offer tailor-made recommendations about ways to improve health," Gurman explained. Apple is training its AI using data from in-house physicians and plans to bring in external experts from various fields, including sleep, nutrition, mental health, and cardiology. These specialists will create educational videos to help users understand health conditions and ways to improve their well-being. Also read: iPhone 17 Air price in India, launch timeline, camera, design, and all other leaks For instance, if a user's heart rate trends indicate potential risks, the app will likely display a video explaining heart disease and how to prevent it. Apple is also looking for a well-known doctor to be the face of this feature, according to the report. The new AI-powered coaching service could be part of a subscription model called Health+. Additionally, features such as food tracking, AI-driven nutrition advice, and workout analysis using the iPhone's camera could be included.
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Apple is developing a new version of its Health app, codenamed Project Mulberry, which will include an AI-powered health coach and doctor. The update is expected to launch with iOS 19.4 in spring or summer 2026.
Apple is set to revolutionize personal health management with a major overhaul of its Health app, incorporating advanced AI technology. Codenamed Project Mulberry, this initiative aims to provide users with an AI-powered health coach and virtual doctor, offering personalized advice based on comprehensive health data 12.
The centerpiece of the revamped Health app is an AI agent designed to replicate the insights of a medical professional. This virtual doctor will analyze data collected from various Apple devices, including the Apple Watch, iPhone, and earbuds, to offer tailored health recommendations 23. The AI will be trained using data from Apple's in-house physicians and additional specialists in fields such as sleep, nutrition, physical therapy, mental health, and cardiology 24.
Project Mulberry introduces several new features to the Health app:
Apple's health team, led by Dr. Sumbul Desai and overseen by Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams, is spearheading the project 3. The company is reportedly opening a facility near Oakland, California, for content creation and is seeking a "major doctor personality" to host the new service 24.
The revamped Health app, potentially branded as Health+, is expected to launch with iOS 19.4 in spring or summer 2026 134.
Apple's move into AI-powered health coaching aligns with broader industry trends. Competitors like Whoop and Oura have already implemented AI coaches in their offerings, leveraging the strengths of generative AI in processing large amounts of data and providing conversational interfaces 2.
This initiative underscores Apple's commitment to health and wellness, with CEO Tim Cook previously stating that the company's work in this area could be its "greatest contribution to mankind" 3. While the AI doctor and revamped Health app represent significant advancements, some features, such as non-invasive blood glucose monitoring for the Apple Watch, remain in development and may be years away from implementation 5.
As Apple continues to expand its presence in the AI and health sectors, Project Mulberry represents a significant step towards more comprehensive and personalized digital health management, potentially reshaping how individuals interact with their health data and receive medical advice.
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