The Boom Of A.I. in Health & Wellness Apps

Something genius has happened: between the boom of A.I. and advanced marketing studies, thanks to companies like Google and Apple, companies know more about you than ever before. They are able to go to the very heart of what you want most, and sell you a product “customized” for you. But the majority of multi million dollar companies didn’t get that way by putting the customer first, they earned it through marketing studies, polling data and countless live tests in beta.

Let’s look at the many Fitness App’s that claim to give you coaching. These enterprises claim to give you a coach in your pocket based on your needs. But in reality, it’s just a series of pre-recorded videos. There is no real personalization. It’s based 100% on automation driven by your input. It’s built once, and used over and over by their users, racking in substantial gains for the company.

The system works in a “if this, then that” mode- like most “personalized” services in the App world do. If a customer clicks “This”, then make “that” happen. You’re being funneled through various automated components, like a rat in a maze.

Then there are “therapy” apps that claim to provide you with a counselor for “only X amount a week”. They promise you that they will listen, give advice and help you feel better. But in reality, it’s just the same IFTTT (if this then that) model. These companies evaluate all possible responses and then give automated actions to all of them, from your texts to your emails, to what services they recommend. Think of it like Amazon. But instead they are using this model to gain your information they can later use (for free) in newer products to earn even more revenue. It’s also incredibly misleading to the folks who think they are receiving real personalized care. Most figure it out within a few weeks, but they’ve already paid for it and are out the money.

So what are you really buying? A string of automations built by computer nerds based off the polling data and marketing tests the company performed to reach maximum profit. But let’s say that none of this bothers you, let me share with you why it also doesn’t work.

AI Only Gives You What You Want, But You Don’t Always Want What You Need

Growing means doing things we don’t want to do, but that will build value and character in us. It is the journey of difficulty that makes you strong. An automated system will only do what you tell it to do. Quite frankly, most of us do know what we want, but have no idea what we need. Often we confuse the two and end up feeling like a failure. The truth is, most of us have no freaking clue what we need. Need evidence of it? Look back at yourself 15 years ago…. you thought you knew it all… but did you? You thought you needed him/her or that job….but did you? How about that awesome fashion style you rocked? What you think you need, what you want, and what you actually need are generally three different things. But a computerized system doesn’t know that.

You say you’re angry, but you’re really depressed. The automated system doesn’t know that. It can’t think, and thus will apply the wrong information into your follow-up automation. What happens when you learn the system and start ignoring it (admit it, you do it!)? What if a tragedy occurs, or you come down with the flu- no A.I. can take the place of a human being. You don’t always know what you need, so how can A. I.?

But people know what they want- they want it all, and they want it all now. Companies know this and are employing the newest technology to make money off you. From easy downloadable apps to “only 3 minute a day” programs, to vibrating belts for weight loss- they are all out there and ready to “help you”. When you engage in these, you are buying a series of responses from a computer, no more, no less. Just like Siri.

It may be more profitable to replace people, but it will never be real. If you are looking for Apps on your phone for Fitness, contact your MyCoach directly for recommendations or visit our Resource List Page to view some tried & tested Apps we support. Quick, automated, and easy will never get you anywhere worthwhile. Only dedication, will and hard work will get you there. Don’t be fooled by marketing ploys.