Imagine your most private health data suddenly accessible via a voice command. Sounds convenient, right? But what if Apple's next big move for its Health app – rumored to be a Siri-powered AI health coach – actually ruins the user experience we've come to rely on? That's the question looming over Apple's next steps, and frankly, it's making me nervous.
I'm Vanessa Hand Orellana, a lead writer at CNET, where I spend my days immersed in the world of smartwatches and fitness trackers. I've seen the good, the bad, and the downright bizarre when it comes to tech and health. And this rumored Apple integration? It has the potential to be all three.
Apple is reportedly gearing up to launch a revamped Health app, possibly alongside a much-anticipated Siri overhaul. The goal? To seamlessly integrate Siri into your daily health tracking, making the Apple Watch feel truly hands-free. Think about it: asking Siri about your sleep score, your heart rate variability, or even getting personalized workout suggestions – all without lifting a finger. Sounds amazing, doesn't it?
But here's where it gets controversial... Apple's biggest challenge won't be the technical features themselves, but rather striking the right balance. One misstep, and this update could do more harm than good, turning a trusted health tool into a privacy nightmare or a confusing mess.
As someone who's witnessed the rise of the AI health coach craze firsthand, I'm genuinely torn about whether Apple even needs one. In its rush to compete with Google (Fitbit) and other players in the AI space, Apple risks sacrificing what has always distinguished it: simplicity and, crucially, privacy. This next move will define Apple's position in the AI health race, and I sincerely hope it amounts to more than just a Siri button clumsily tacked onto the Health app.
According to a recent report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is potentially nearing a billion-dollar deal with Google to leverage a customized version of Google's Gemini AI to bolster Siri's capabilities. The rationale? Apple has been losing top AI talent to rivals like Meta, making the development of its own in-house system increasingly challenging. Partnering with Google could be an expensive gamble, but Apple recognizes that it must either keep pace with the rapidly evolving AI landscape or risk falling behind. Some might see this as a pragmatic move, while others will undoubtedly view it as a betrayal of Apple's long-standing commitment to independent innovation. What do you think?
Further reports, also including Gurman's, suggest that Apple is actively developing a redesigned Health app under the codename "Project Mulberry." This rumored "Health Plus" service will reportedly leverage AI – potentially powered by the new Siri – to create a more cohesive and personalized health experience. The idea is to transform the constant stream of biometric data from your Apple Watch and other connected devices into actionable insights, similar to the new Coach feature that Google recently rolled out on the Fitbit app. For example, instead of just seeing a graph of your heart rate, the AI could identify potential trends or anomalies and suggest specific lifestyle changes or even recommend consulting with a doctor.
Apple appears to be at a critical turning point in its AI journey, one that could have profound and lasting implications for its health ambitions. On one hand, it needs to demonstrate to investors that it can compete with companies like Fitbit (owned by Google), Oura, and others that offer concierge-style AI chatbots to analyze health data. On the other hand, none of these early AI health coaches have yet proven themselves to be truly indispensable. Apple's implementation – and its timing – could ultimately determine whether consumers embrace or reject the brand in this new era of AI-powered health.
The Current Landscape:
There's no denying the momentum of the AI wave. Previously, AI primarily operated behind the scenes, powering passive alerts such as irregular heart-rate notifications or automatically detecting when you started a run. Now, it's moving to the forefront, ready for direct interaction via voice commands on your phone or watch.
Android phones have Gemini integrated with a camera-powered Google Lens that can analyze the environment around them, while Apple has relied on ChatGPT for some of its Apple Intelligence features on the iPhone. Google recently introduced Gemini on its Wear OS watches, bringing natural language capabilities to your wrist. (Disclosure: Ziff Davis, CNET's parent company, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in April, alleging copyright infringement in the training and operation of its AI systems.)
In the health sector, the coveted prize seems to be the all-in-one wellness concierge that integrates data from all your devices and translates it into practical feedback to improve your health.
Google was an early mover with its Fitbit app redesign in October. The new Gemini-powered Fitbit Coach (currently in beta) can generate personalized training plans, diet recommendations, and sleep schedules. Oura's "Advisor" offers similar guidance, translating your data into easy-to-understand insights. Garmin and Samsung are already promoting AI-powered coaches that promise to prepare you for races. Even Meta is entering the fray with its AI-powered Oakley glasses that can draw from Strava or Garmin metrics to provide real-time coaching.
It's still too early to determine if these AI coaches will live up to their promises. Fitbit is still several months away from a full launch, while others are barely out of beta. But after testing many of them, I can confidently say this: they will need to demonstrate significant value before people trust them with their sensitive health data.
How Apple Fits In:
Apple hasn't been completely idle in the AI arena; if anything, its approach has been more measured and deliberate. Some of the most impactful health features on the Apple Watch, such as irregular heart-rate notifications, sleep apnea detection, hypertension alerts, and fall detection, all rely on AI and, in many cases, have been life-changing for Apple Watch users.
The key is not just the AI itself, but the fact that users don't have to actively engage with it to reap the benefits. Most of these features operate in the background and only surface when something is amiss and requires attention. This simplicity is what makes them so effective. Adding a prominent AI component for direct interaction could prove more confusing than helpful. Anyone who has used a large language model-based chatbot knows that the way you phrase a question can determine whether you receive helpful insight or a jumbled mess of misinformation. Apple's current approach works because it anticipates your needs before you even think to ask.
With WatchOS 26 (paired with Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhones), Apple also introduced an AI-powered Workout Buddy. While technically more of a motivational cheerleader providing real-time feedback during workouts, it definitely has "coach" vibes, and I believe it's a testing ground for a future full-fledged health coach.
As a working parent of three, I was initially skeptical about incorporating a Workout Buddy into my routine. Micro-workouts are all I can manage, and I need less of a cheerleader and more of a drill sergeant to ensure I'm maximizing the 25-minute window I've carved out of my day. But after testing it for a while, I began to understand Apple's potential direction with this feature.
Everything, from the voice and inflection to the timing of the feedback, felt spontaneous and unscripted (for the most part). It was significantly less jarring than the canned, robotic prompts I've become accustomed to ignoring on other devices. And if this is Apple's vision for a "Health Siri" in the future, then perhaps this Workout Buddy could eventually earn its coach stripes in my book.
A Precarious Path Forward:
Apple is walking a tightrope with AI. Play it too safe, and it risks being late to the game; move too quickly, and it could stumble badly.
Privacy could be the biggest obstacle, not just for Apple, but for everyone in this space. It's one thing to ask Gemini to write an email or ChatGPT to summarize an article, but giving it access to your health data introduces a whole new level of HIPAA compliance concerns.
The disclaimers I had to navigate when setting up Meta's Oakley glasses were enough to induce anxiety-induced sweating (not cardio-induced), and the thought that my Garmin data might be used to "improve" some model would have been a deal-breaker if testing it wasn't part of my job.
Apple's commitment to privacy and on-device processing is a major reason why I trust its Health app with everything, including my hospital health records. Would I want that same data used to train future AI models? Absolutely not. Would I feel comfortable handing it off to a Gemini-based Siri? Honestly, I'm not sure. Apple would need to do a lot of convincing to get me on board.
When it comes to Apple's Health Plus ambitions, a simple Siri icon slapped onto the bottom of the app for Apple Watch users to interact with simply won't suffice. To truly stand out in this space, Apple needs to stay focused on what it does best: creating meaningful connections for people in ways they didn't even realize they needed. Rather than relying on me (or anyone else) to craft cleverly worded prompts about the metrics that matter, how about having the coach proactively flag suggestions and draw those connections for me? And this is the part most people miss...
And, crucially, build the privacy scaffolding first before it goes anywhere near my health records. Because that's the only kind of AI "coach" I'd ever consider letting into my life.
So, what are your thoughts? Are you excited about the prospect of an AI-powered Health app, or are you worried about the potential privacy implications? Let me know in the comments below!
