An 'Apple doctor' is coming soon.

Apple's latest project focuses on improving the Health app, adding AI doctors to provide healthcare for users.

Apple Watch Series 10. Photo: Bloomberg .

In a Bloomberg Power On report, analyst Mark Gurman stated that Apple is developing a new version of its Health app. Codenamed Project Mulberry, the app is expected to be released in early 2026 on iOS 19.4.

Although Apple's foray into the AI ​​field hasn't been entirely smooth, it could integrate this technology into its Health app, acting as an "AI doctor" to provide healthcare.

A bold idea

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

"This is a big announcement for a company that's well-known in the consumer electronics sector, even though it has already penetrated many markets such as Hollywood films and financial services."

This vision is even bolder considering that the Apple Watch is not yet powerful enough to become a ' medical lab on your wrist' and the Health app is still quite rudimentary,” Gurman emphasized.

However, the Bloomberg writer noted that Apple has many new ideas, including a 15-year-long project to create a non-invasive blood glucose measurement solution.

This idea emerged while Steve Jobs was still alive, and included adding sensors to the Apple Watch to warn of prediabetes signs, helping to prevent the disease.

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

Although the project is still underway, Apple needs a few more years to perfect the feature. The company is also facing issues with some health sensors, such as the blood oxygen sensor (removed in the US due to patent disputes) and the high blood pressure detector (development bottlenecks).

In that context, Gurman said that Apple's health division is researching solutions for faster results. That's why Project Mulberry was born, which includes a brand-new Health app and an AI health coach.

"The service is supported by an AI agent that can mimic a real doctor to a certain extent," Gurman said.

Rumors about the project first surfaced in 2023 under the name Project Quartz. The plan has since evolved to a larger scale, involving various other departments at Apple, including the artificial intelligence team.

"Development is progressing well, and it could appear as early as iOS 19.4. The update is expected to be released in the spring or summer of next year," a Bloomberg writer stated.

What can AI doctors do?

Essentially, the Health app continues to collect data from devices (iPhone, Apple Watch, headphones, third-party services, etc.). Then, the "AI doctor" analyzes the information and provides appropriate advice to improve health.

Gurman said Apple is training AI using data from its internal doctors. Apple is also contacting external doctors, including sleep specialists, nutritionists, physical therapists, mental health professionals, and cardiologists, to record videos .

The content will explain to users about certain health conditions and solutions for improvement. For example, if a tendency towards poor heart rate is detected, the app can play a video explaining the condition and the risks of heart disease.

Apple also established a facility near Oakland, California, to film doctor consultations. The company is also seeking highly qualified doctors to host a new service, tentatively called Health+.

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

The new version of the Health app also supports food tracking. Currently, Apple is largely uninvolved in this area, although the app allows the input of some data related to carbohydrates and caffeine. With this feature, the AI ​​doctor can analyze nutrition and recommend diets for users.

According to Gurman, Apple is also researching several features that leverage the device's camera. For example, an AI assistant could track exercise posture to suggest improvements to technique.

“This is a priority project for Sumbul Desai, a doctor with many years of experience leading Apple’s healthcare team. Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams is also heavily involved.”

This is a top priority – almost the entire focus – of Apple's healthcare division. Desai wants to avoid repeating past failures, such as the now-defunct doctor-connecting app,” the Bloomberg writer added.

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