Can artificial intelligence (AI) help keep you healthy? Physically? Sexually? Mentally? As it turns out, the potential for the use of AI in revolutionizing wellness is boundless. In fact, AI may come to understand you better than your mother, partner, and physician—combined.
Every week, 99% of American adults use at least one device or app that’s powered by AI (83% use four or more): social media, online shopping, weather forecasting, streaming services, or navigation. Half of us will also get answers and information from a digital assistant, such as Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, or Microsoft Cortana.
AI in healthcare: a welcome transformation
Artificial intelligence “learns” by analyzing massive amounts of data, then developing algorithms based on identified patterns. As more data are added, AI constantly improves in recognizing tiny details that lead to better outcomes. Currently, AI can outperform humans in speed and accuracy in reading x-rays and analyzing biopsies, resulting in earlier treatment.
AI was immediately embraced by engineering and manufacturing. However, medicine (a “hands-on” discipline) was slower to designate AI for patient care. But once adopted, it made leaps in revolutionizing wellness. Whether we’re aware of it or not, today AI provides essential functions that improve healthcare:
- Preventive screening
- Early diagnosis
- Image analysis
- Disease tracking
- Drug development
- Remote access and care
Experts believe that AI can improve or enhance any aspect of healthcare, including your physical, sexual, and mental wellbeing. As an informed consumer, AI can increase your self-care ability and make you a better member of your health care team.
Physical health: AI is probably already at work
If you wear a smartwatch or use a smartphone, right now AI is counting your steps, measuring your heart rate, or evaluating your movement. While you sleep, it’s checking the quality of your rest.
Wearable technology and medical devices have merged, allowing for accurate and unique data that can change your life. Here are some ways AI can boost physical wellness:
- Wearables encourage more activity by tracking distance, calories, and energy levels.
- Fitness apps analyze your workout and make adjustments based on your progress.
- Nutrition programs assess dietary habits and suggest changes to meet your weight and health goals.
- Heart monitors detect undiagnosed rhythms before a serious cardiac event occurs.
- Sensors provide continuous monitoring of blood glucose levels, avoiding dangerous high or low blood sugar emergencies.
- Apps track details about migraine headaches, such as menstrual cycles, symptoms, triggers, and barometric changes. They can predict migraine episodes and their duration.
Sexual health: Less stigma, more information
Sexual and reproductive wellness are universal topics of interest, yet not easily discussed. The vast analytical capabilities of AI can build the foundation that supports nonjudgmental care and healthier outcomes for everyone.
Chatbots have been effective in providing anonymous information for sensitive sexual issues. Users can describe symptoms, ask specific questions, provide confidential information, and receive resources or referrals in a private manner with 24/7 availability.
Here are some examples of how AI is helping sexual wellness:
- Early detection of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), subsequent effective treatment, and follow-up.
- Family planning and contraception services, with tailored assessments based on access, income, and lifestyle factors.
- Infertility testing and advanced methods for selection of eggs, sperm, embryos, and in vitro fertilization predictions.
- Eliminating unsafe abortions by offering education, guidance, legal updates, and resources, such as clinics and hotlines.
- Training healthcare professionals in all aspects of sexual and reproductive wellness, using simulations, lectures, and local data.
Mental health: Breaking barriers to treatment
Seeking assistance for mental health issues can be daunting. Conventional treatment relies on face-to-face appointments, often limited by the therapist’s availability, location, and cost. Factors such as finding a therapist, convenience, and cultural sensitivity result in the need for reliable alternatives.
Chatbots have proven to be powerful tools in mental wellness. Always accessible and usually free, a well-designed chatbot provides interaction, support, and information for users. They learn from user input and can deliver personalized strategies.
Adding AI options to complement mental health management opens a wide range of choices. Here are some exciting possibilities:
- AI can analyze speech patterns and text messages to identify and predict conditions including anxiety or depression episodes, then suggest action.
- By identifying emotional patterns, users can develop healthy coping and avoid serious crises.
- Online platforms can link a user to an appropriate therapist, then provide activities and resources to enrich the experience.
- Meditation apps assess your mood, stress level, and environment to offer an individualized session.
Caveat: We still need humans
Although AI can enhance physical, sexual, and mental wellness, it doesn’t completely replace human interaction and insight. Use AI to empower yourself and collaborate with providers. But don’t isolate from others and rely only on AI; we all need the direct engagement and emotional support that only come from another person.
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