Apple reportedly scales back plans for AI-powered health coach

Apple’s Ambitious AI Health Coach Project Hits a Major Roadblock

In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the tech and health industries, Apple has reportedly scaled back its ambitious Project Mulberry initiative, an AI-powered health coaching service that was poised to revolutionize how millions of iPhone users approach their wellness journey.

According to a bombshell report from Bloomberg, the tech giant’s grand vision for a comprehensive health ecosystem has hit a significant roadblock following a major leadership shakeup within Apple’s health organization. This setback comes as a surprise to many who were eagerly anticipating what could have been a game-changing addition to Apple’s already impressive suite of health-focused features.

Project Mulberry, first unveiled last year, was designed to bring an AI-powered health coach to a revamped Health app. The system was being trained on data from Apple-hired physicians and was set to rely on a diverse team of experts, including sleep specialists, nutritionists, physical therapists, mental health professionals, and cardiologists. These experts were tasked with creating educational video content that would be integrated into the Health app, providing users with personalized guidance and insights.

Apple had gone to great lengths to bring this vision to life, even building a state-of-the-art studio in Oakland, California, specifically for producing the content. The company was reportedly searching for a “major doctor personality” to serve as the face of the new service, which some within Apple had dubbed “Health+.”

However, the project has faced numerous challenges since its initial announcement. The timeline for its introduction, which was originally slated to coincide with the release of iOS 26, has been pushed back multiple times. This delay can be attributed to significant organizational changes within Apple’s health and AI divisions.

In a major shakeup, longtime Apple COO Jeff Williams retired, and oversight of the health and fitness teams was shifted to services chief Eddy Cue. Additionally, John Giannandrea, Apple’s senior vice president of Machine Learning and AI Strategy, announced his intention to step down and retire in spring 2026. Much of his organization is being folded into the broader software engineering group overseen by Craig Federighi.

These changes have led to a reevaluation of Apple’s health strategy, with Eddy Cue reportedly unconvinced that the company’s plans for a new health service were compelling enough to compete with existing offerings from rivals. Cue has expressed concerns that newer competitors, such as Oura Health Oy and Whoop Inc., are providing more attractive and useful features, particularly through their iPhone apps.

The scaling back of Project Mulberry doesn’t mean that Apple is abandoning its health initiatives entirely. The company is still looking to roll out some of the planned features individually over time within the Health app. One such feature would use the iPhone’s camera to analyze how a person walks, potentially providing valuable insights into their overall health and mobility.

Apple is also working on an AI chatbot that would allow users to ask questions about their well-being. This chatbot would draw on an internal system known as World Knowledge Answers, which is designed to rival Google’s Gemini-powered search results and apps like Perplexity.

Looking ahead, Apple plans to introduce a revamped Siri with iOS 27 that will be capable of supporting more advanced health-related queries across the Health app and its operating systems. This move signals the company’s continued commitment to enhancing its health offerings, albeit in a more measured and incremental approach.

The news of Project Mulberry’s scaling back has sparked intense speculation about Apple’s future in the health tech space. Some industry analysts view this as a temporary setback, while others see it as a potential sign of Apple’s struggles to innovate in the increasingly competitive health and wellness market.

Regardless of the interpretation, one thing is clear: Apple’s journey into the world of AI-powered health coaching has hit a significant bump in the road. As the tech giant reassesses its strategy and refocuses its efforts, the industry will be watching closely to see how Apple adapts and evolves its approach to health and wellness technology.

In the meantime, competitors in the health tech space are likely breathing a sigh of relief, seeing an opportunity to gain ground in a market that Apple had been poised to dominate. As the dust settles on this development, it remains to be seen how Apple will regroup and what new innovations it will bring to the table in its quest to revolutionize personal health management.

#Apple #ProjectMulberry #HealthTech #AI #Siri #iOS #iPhone #Wellness #TechNews #AppleHealth #DigitalHealth #HealthApp #AIHealthCoach #TechInnovation #HealthMonitoring #AppleWatch #FitnessTech #HealthAI #MobileHealth #DigitalWellness

Tags: Apple, Project Mulberry, AI health coach, Health app, iOS, iPhone, Eddy Cue, John Giannandrea, Oura Health, Whoop, Health+, Apple Fitness+, Siri, World Knowledge Answers, Bloomberg, tech news, health tech, digital health, wellness technology, Apple Watch, fitness tech, mobile health, digital wellness

Viral Phrases:
– “Apple’s AI health coach dream hits a major roadblock”
– “The tech giant’s grand vision for health ecosystem faces reality check”
– “Apple scales back Project Mulberry amid leadership shakeup”
– “Is Apple losing its edge in the health tech race?”
– “The AI health coach that never was: Inside Apple’s Project Mulberry”
– “Eddy Cue questions Apple’s health strategy, eyes competitors”
– “From AI doctor to walking analysis: Apple’s health journey takes a detour”
– “iOS 27 promises revamped Siri for advanced health queries”
– “Apple’s health ambitions face reality as rivals gain ground”
– “The studio built for health content now stands as a reminder of Apple’s scaled-back plans”,