'Apple Doctor' is coming soon

Apple's latest project focuses on improving the Health app, adding AI doctors to take care of users' health.

Apple Watch Series 10. Photo: Bloomberg .

In Bloomberg ’s Power On report, analyst Mark Gurman said Apple is working on a new version of its Health app. Codenamed Project Mulberry, the app is expected to launch in early 2026 on iOS 19.4.

Although the path to entering the AI field is not very smooth, Apple can integrate this technology into the Health application, acting as an "AI doctor" for health care.

Bold idea

According to Gurman, this is part of CEO Tim Cook's long-term vision to make healthcare Apple's biggest social contributor.

“This is a big statement for a company that is best known for its consumer devices, even though it has penetrated many markets such as Hollywood movies and financial services.

This vision is even more daring given that the Apple Watch is not yet capable of being a ‘ medical lab on the wrist’ and the Health app is still quite rudimentary,” Gurman emphasized.

However, Bloomberg 's writer said Apple has many new ideas, including a project to create a non-invasive blood glucose measurement solution, which has been going on for 15 years.

This idea appeared when Steve Jobs was still alive, including adding sensors to the Apple Watch to warn of pre-diabetes signs, helping to prevent the disease.

CEO Tim Cook introduces Apple Fitness+ service in 2020. Photo: Apple .

While the project is still ongoing, Apple needs a few more years to perfect the feature. The company has also run into issues with some health sensors, such as the blood oxygen sensor (which was scrapped in the US due to a patent dispute) and high blood pressure detection (which was delayed in development).

In that context, Gurman said that Apple's health division is working on a solution for faster results. That's why Project Mulberry was born, including a completely new Health app with an AI health coach.

“The service is powered by an AI agent that can replicate a real doctor to a certain extent,” Gurman said.

Rumors of the project first surfaced in 2023 under the name Project Quartz. The plan has since grown larger, involving other parts of Apple, including its artificial intelligence team.

“Development is active, and could appear as early as iOS 19.4. The update is expected to be released in the spring or summer of next year,” the Bloomberg writer said.

What can AI doctors do?

Basically, the Health app continues to collect data from devices (iPhone, Apple Watch, headphones, third-party services...). Then, the "AI doctor" will analyze the information and give appropriate advice to improve health.

Gurman said Apple is training the AI using data from internal doctors. The company is also reaching out to outside doctors, including sleep, nutrition, physical therapy, mental health, and cardiology specialists, to record videos .

The content will explain to users about certain health conditions and solutions to improve them. For example, if it detects a poor heart rate trend, the app can play a video explaining the condition and the risk of heart disease.

Apple is also setting up a facility near Oakland, California, to shoot doctor consultation videos. The company is also looking for highly qualified doctors to host the new service, tentatively called Health+.

The current interface of the Health app. Photo: Apple .

The new Health app also supports food tracking. Apple has largely stayed away from the field, although the app does allow for some data entry related to carbohydrates and caffeine. With this feature, AI doctors can analyze nutrition and recommend diets for users.

Apple is also working on a number of features that take advantage of the device's camera, Gurman said. For example, an AI assistant could track your exercise posture to suggest improvements to your technique.

“This is a priority project for Sumbul Desai, a physician who has led Apple’s health team for many years. Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams is also heavily involved.

“This is a top priority—almost the entire focus—for Apple’s health division. Desai wants to avoid a repeat of past failures, such as the doctor-connection app that was killed,” the Bloomberg writer added.

Source: https://znews.vn/apple-dang-tao-ra-bac-si-ai-post1542117.html