Google’s AI Health Coach: Revolutionizing Smartwatches for Health and Fitness

At Google’s recent Pixel event, there was one announcement that truly stood out – the unveiling of an AI health coach.

While AI’s presence in smartwatches has been mostly underwhelming, Google’s ambitious new approach promises something more meaningful and practical for users looking to improve their health and fitness.

Typically, AI in fitness gadgets has been either trivial or forgettable, offering no more than basic feedback after workouts. But Google is aiming to change that with a full-fledged AI health coach that doesn’t just congratulate you for finishing a run, but provides long-term insights into your health trends using months or even years of data.

The main issue with current fitness tech is the overwhelming amount of data it generates, often with little guidance on what to do with it. Most smartwatch users will have encountered data like ‘breaths per minute’ or wrist temperature trends, but without a clear understanding of their importance. This is where Google’s new AI coach stands apart – it promises to cut through the noise and offer personalized, actionable insights.

Rather than providing generic advice, the AI will analyze your data over time and offer tailored recommendations. It can even adjust workout plans based on your progress and data, providing a more interactive, dynamic coaching experience.

One of the standout features of this new AI coach is its ability to integrate data from various sources beyond just the smartwatch. By linking to Health Connect and HealthKit, the AI can access weight data from smart scales, glucose readings from continuous glucose monitors, and potentially even blood pressure information. While it may not dive into lab results yet, this broader integration promises a holistic view of your health that other fitness devices currently lack.

The key to its effectiveness lies in the AI’s access to vast amounts of health data. Google’s AI, backed by the new PH-LLM (Personal Health Large Language Model), is designed to provide insights that go beyond what human experts can offer. This model was fine-tuned to interpret sleep and fitness data and has already outperformed experts in certain benchmarks. That’s an impressive feat for any AI, especially when it comes to something as important as your health.

Additionally, the involvement of NBA star Steph Curry and his performance team adds a unique layer of real-world testing and feedback, ensuring that this isn’t just a marketing gimmick. Curry will actively use the Pixel devices, including the watches and headphones, while providing valuable input to the development process.

While Apple’s Workout Buddy feature is cool, it remains a basic tool compared to what Google’s offering promises. The AI health coach, which will launch in October for Fitbit Premium users in the US, is a leap forward in how smartwatches can help users manage their health. I’m looking forward to seeing it in action.