you can't AI your health: the limits of tech in wellness

Do you find comfort in tracking your steps, sleep, and even emotional trends with wearables like Fitbit? You're not alone. But let's not forget, these devices offer estimates at best. So how can we wisely incorporate tech's 'quantified self' into our wellness journey?

What is AI?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is designed to perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence. Lately, there's been buzz around AI like ChatGPT, which generates responses based on prompts. My partner Josh has been talking up ChatGPT forever!

The Data Behind ChatGPT

ChatGPT operates on a vast dataset collected from the internet up until a certain point (around 2020, according to a recent podcast). It predicts the next word in a sentence based on this data. Sounds impressive, right? But what happens when we ask it about health and nutrition?

Chatbots and Diet Culture

The internet is rife with diet culture, and this affects the data these AI models are trained on. It's no wonder then that a chatbot could reinforce harmful ideas about body image or nutrition. A case in point: the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) deployed a chatbot which ended up perpetuating disordered behaviors around food. For a deep dive, check out this enlightening podcast episode.

The Missing Human Element

We often lean on Google, ChatGPT, or fitness trackers to tell us how to eat, move, or sleep. But this approach lacks the nuances of human interaction. We miss out on empathy, understanding, and personalized guidance, which are crucial in any wellness journey.

Curious about how your wellness watch affects your nutritional choices? Let’s delve deeper in a free Strategy Session. Schedule yours today!

Have thoughts, comments, or tips for others related to using technology for health + wellness? 👇 Let me know below!