Final week we talked about how Apple’s AI missteps might find yourself completely damaging the corporate.
Apple retains delaying many of the compelling options of its “Apple Intelligence” platform.
And as a substitute of main the business, the corporate is taking part in catch-up on generative AI options that its rivals have already rolled out.
These delays led reader DH to put in writing: “The issue with Apple is the lack of their Chief Cheerleader and Barnum Spirit Walker. It’s clear Apple has turn out to be a way more extraordinary company.”
I’m sure DH is speaking concerning the late Steve Jobs. And it’s onerous to argue that he’s unsuitable.
However let’s ignore the continuing tariff points that may very well be a serious drawback for Apple going ahead and take an optimist’s view of what Apple might do to proper the ship.
It’s true that Apple has been trailing within the AI race. However Apple won’t must win that race…
As a result of it may be working a distinct race fully.
You see, whereas the AI highlight is at present fastened on chatbots and search engines like google and yahoo, Apple has been quietly laying the groundwork to turn out to be a serious participant in healthcare.
And the corporate’s subsequent large transfer isn’t anticipated to be simply one other flashy AI assistant. It ought to be one thing a lot greater…
Undertaking Mulberry
In accordance with Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is growing a device referred to as Undertaking Mulberry. And it may very well be a game-changer for well being care.
n reality, it may very well be like having your very personal AI physician and well being coach who lives contained in the Well being app.
Not like a chatbot that simply solutions questions, this one will be capable of pull in real-time knowledge out of your Apple Watch, iPhone and even third-party units like good scales.
It could then use that info to supply customized well being suggestions.
Think about what it will imply to have this sort of private well being assistant in your pocket…
A system that may flag points early, counsel way of life adjustments and even offer you content material created by actual medical professionals.
It might give you movies about coronary heart illness in case your coronary heart charge knowledge seems to be regarding or vitamin suggestions in case your sleep and weight metrics counsel an issue.
Apple’s even reportedly on the lookout for a recognizable “physician character” to entrance the expertise.
It’s not onerous to think about a future the place you’re getting weekly well being briefings from somebody like Dr. Sanjay Gupta or Dr. Mike by your telephone.
And it’ll all be potential due to Apple’s present {hardware}.
In any case, the Apple Watch is already a mini well being heart. It screens your coronary heart charge, takes ECGs, measures your blood oxygen, detects falls and might even observe ladies’s menstrual cycles.
With watchOS 10, Apple launched a sleep apnea detection function, utilizing accelerometer knowledge to flag respiratory disturbances whilst you sleep.
Supply: Apple
If it sees a constant sample of potential concern over a 30-day interval, it notifies you.
That is precisely the type of low-stakes intervention that may save lives.
In the meantime, AirPods Professional 2 now has a listening to assist function for folks with gentle to reasonable listening to loss.
Supply: Apple
It gives clinical-grade sound amplification that primarily transforms these shopper earbuds into good listening to units.
These units are what provides Apple a transparent edge over Google, Meta and Microsoft.
However right here’s the factor…
Apple’s gradual AI rollout might provide the corporate one other benefit too.
Apple’s Actual AI Benefit
As a substitute of racing to push out extra half-baked AI options, with Undertaking Mulberry, Apple is tying AI into its greatest long-term energy.
I’m speaking about Apple’s wonderful ecosystem.
Your Apple Watch, your iPhone and your AirPods already speak to one another.
With Undertaking Mulberry, they’ll speak to you about your well being.
And in an ideal world, these discussions can be seamless. You gained’t must open a brand new app or speak to a brand new assistant. Simply go for a stroll, take a name… go to sleep.
As you reside your life, your units are already quietly accumulating knowledge.
AI can then search for patterns on this knowledge, and by pulling in medical data it will possibly nudge you towards more healthy habits.
That type of integration is tough to repeat. However will it really work?
Undertaking Mulberry is rumored to launch as early as iOS 19.4. Meaning it ought to come out someday subsequent 12 months.
However Apple has some points to beat first.
AI-generated well being recommendation can solely go to date. Plus, many situations gained’t present up on a smartwatch or iPhone.
And there’s additionally the danger of giving folks a false sense of safety.
What sort of legal responsibility exists from folks pondering every thing’s nice simply because the app didn’t flag an issue, even when one exists?
However an excellent greater drawback may very well be the privateness subject.
Apple has a powerful observe report with privateness, and CEO Tim Prepare dinner insists they may proceed to take action. Meaning knowledge stays in your system and also you management who sees what.
However delicate well being knowledge amps up the stakes. Misuse or breaches might have severe moral and authorized penalties.
And that’s one thing Apple wants to determine earlier than this product goes reside.
Right here’s My Take
Even imperfect AI steerage is healthier than none.
That’s why I see a powerful use case for this product. In any case, lots of people don’t go to the physician till one thing’s clearly unsuitable.
Positive, when your Apple Watch provides you a heads-up that your sleep patterns counsel potential apnea… that isn’t a analysis.
However it’s a nudge.
And typically that nudge makes the distinction between catching one thing early or too late.
That’s why if Apple can stick the touchdown with Undertaking Mulberry, it gained’t simply catch up within the AI race.
The worldwide well being care market is predicted to exceed $44 trillion by 2032. Apple might dominate this house, the place the stakes are increased than search outcomes or good replies.
As a result of when it comes right down to it, well being is private.
Apple already owns the units we supply with us on daily basis. And if it will possibly flip these units into instruments that assist us reside longer and more healthy lives…
It might flip the corporate’s present AI missteps into a serious win.
Regards,
Ian King
Chief Strategist, Banyan Hill Publishing
Editor’s Word: We’d love to listen to from you!
If you wish to share your ideas or options concerning the Every day Disruptor, or if there are any particular matters you’d like us to cowl, simply ship an e mail to dailydisruptor@banyanhill.com.
Don’t fear, we gained’t reveal your full identify within the occasion we publish a response. So be at liberty to remark away!
