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.
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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.
