“Siri, am I having a heart attack?” users mock Apple’s plans to create AI “doctor”
Apple wants to turn its Health app into a doctor at hand.
Image by Apple
Apple wants to turn its Health app into a doctor at hand.
The company is now working on a project called Mullbery, which focuses on upgrading its Health app. The application would include a health coach or an AI-powered “doctor.”
Apple would continue collecting data from its devices, such as iPhones and Apple Watches, to train its AI, which would then be able to provide users with personalized insights on ways to improve their health.
While the company is working with its internal doctors on the matter, it also plans to employ experts in nutrition, sleep, physical therapy, mental health, and cardiology as Apple wants to create explanation videos. These videos should help people get insights into certain health conditions and provide suggestions on how to lead a healthier lifestyle.
For example, if a user’s data shows changes in their heart rate stats, the app will show them a video about the emerging risks of heart disease.
The company is even preparing a facility near Oakland, California, where specialists will be able to shoot the said videos. Apple has also been reported to be looking for a doctor to host a service called “Health+,” reports Bloomberg.
The renewed app is supposed to include a food-tracking feature and an AI coach to help users with their nutrition insights. Currently, it only allows users to enter data on their carbohydrate and caffeine intake.
It’s been revealed that Apple has also been working on a fitness feature that would allow the AI “consultant” to analyze a user’s workouts and suggest areas for improvement.
The news about AI-powered health app started a discussion on Reddit. Many were quick to start making jokes about Apple’s AI, which had at least a few hiccups after its release.
“‘Siri, am I having a heart attack?’ ‘You have no reminders set for Wednesday,’” joked one user with others joining in with funny examples of not getting the correct answer from Apple’s AI assistant.
A number of users pointed out that the company shouldn’t rely on its AI to provide users with insights on important matters like health.
“Siri can barely tell me the weather or set a reminder, I don’t think I’ll be taking health advice from any of their other tools,” wrote one Redditor.
“Siri: widely recognized as one of the worst ‘AI’ tools out there. Apple: Let's make it a doctor!,” wrote another.
Nevertheless, some users noted that some of its AI features have been saving lives and that users should not confuse large language models (LLMs) and generative AI.
“It could be full AGI and I’d still recommend not taking medical advice from a computer. Go see an actual doctor, folks!” shared another user.
Their comment started a debate about the healthcare system, with users admitting having to rely quite heavily on their wearables as frequent trips to the doctor’s office aren’t always possible.