Apple Developing New Health App ‘Mulberry’ Featuring AI Agent Trained with Data from Medical Professionals

Apple has long embraced integrated health-centric features as a core principle, setting it apart in the tech landscape. Recent reports indicate that the company plans to elevate its Health app with a comprehensive redesign codenamed ‘Mulberry.’ This overhaul will reportedly introduce a sophisticated AI agent, designed with the potential to deliver health advice and insights that could rival traditional medical professionals. To ensure the reliability of this tool, Apple is enlisting a range of specialists to curate content tailored for the app.

Anticipated Launch of the AI-Enhanced Health App in Spring 2024

Mark Gurman’s latest ‘Power On’ newsletter from Bloomberg divulges that Apple is eyeing a spring release for this enhanced Health app, coinciding with the rollout of iOS 19.4. As detailed by 9to5Mac, the AI agent is intended to function as a virtual health coach, equipped to simulate a real doctor’s advice. According to insiders, this initiative aligns with CEO Tim Cook’s long-term vision to significantly influence healthcare accessibility and personalization.

The revamped Health app will harness user-generated health data, particularly benefiting from metrics collected through Apple Watch devices. This wealth of information will enable the AI health coach to provide tailored recommendations, though Apple is taking precautionary measures to mitigate the risks of misinformation typically associated with AI-generated guidance. To achieve this, the company plans to collaborate with medical professionals to produce verified content, including instructional videos.

Apple’s recruitment efforts will reportedly focus on a range of healthcare experts, including sleep specialists, nutritionists, physical therapists, mental health professionals, and cardiologists. It is expected that all video content will be recorded in a dedicated studio located in Oakland. Additionally, Apple is searching for a prominent medical figure who could act as the ‘host’ for this new service, which may be internally branded as Health+.

Another critical component of the revitalized Health app will involve meticulous tracking of users’ dietary intake. However, Apple has faced challenges within the AI domain, leading to delays in updates to Siri and complicating its AI narrative amid growing scrutiny, including a recently announced lawsuit regarding misleading AI capabilities. Given the sensitive nature of health-related advice, any inaccuracies could have serious repercussions for Apple’s reputation. As the launch date approaches, further updates on these developments are expected, so stay tuned for more information.

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