I received’t lie; my primary focus throughout Google’s Pixel occasion on Wednesday was the Pixel 8 sequence. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional could be costlier than earlier than, however they’re nice gadgets, contemplating Google is able to offer you seven years of updates, together with Android OS releases and have drops. That mentioned, the Pixel Watch 2 phase caught this longtime iPhone consumer’s consideration because of a brand new generative AI well being function coming quickly to Pixel gadgets.
Through the Pixel Watch 2 phase, Google showcased a brand new function for the Fitbit app that I’d love to have the ability to use inside my iPhone’s Well being or Health app. It’s a function that Apple will hopefully copy sooner somewhat than later. Come subsequent yr, Fitbit will allow you to ask questions on your newest coaching session, and it’ll use AI to supply extra perception into your progress.
Coaching with ChatGPT is just the start
I already confirmed you the way I used ChatGPT to coach for a half-marathon and the way generative AI has been extra useful than I may have imagined. ChatGPT took only some seconds to supply me a coaching plan spanning about six months, full with meal ideas, achievable targets, and extra race recommendation.
I stored asking ChatGPT for added info at any time when I considered one thing else or wished to tweak it.
That’s simply an instance of how unbelievable generative AI could be even earlier than we get to personalised AI experiences. Throughout yesterday’s occasion, Google demoed a couple of examples of the way forward for private AI, together with one that will apply on to my working wants.
Google’s private AI will take coaching to an entire new stage
Within the close to future, you’ll be capable of ask Google’s private AI assistant within the Fitbit app questions akin to why your most up-to-date run felt more durable than typical.
The AI answered instantly, giving believable explanations. For instance, the route the runner selected may need had extra climbing segments than earlier than. Additionally, their sleep high quality was trending down earlier than the run.
Not solely that, however the AI additionally provided a graph to point out the stats for the latest runs.
That’s an unbelievable use of AI to enhance well being and train with out hiring an precise coach. You solely want a smartwatch (the Pixel Watch 2) and a telephone (like a Pixel 8) to do it. The function received’t be out there in beta till subsequent yr, nonetheless.
I wouldn’t be stunned if Google discovered a technique to allow it on Fitbit gadgets and older Pixels. In any case, this appears like one thing older gadgets ought to be capable of deal with except the non-public AI processes all the info on the gadget somewhat than sending it to Google’s servers.
Why I need Apple to repeat the Fitbit AI options
I’m an iPhone consumer, which suggests the wearable I take advantage of is an Apple Watch. I may go along with a Fitbit gadget, and I’m certain Google will wish to prolong the generative AI options of the Fitbit app to iOS similar to it’s doing with its Google Assistant with Bard.
However I’d need such generative AI conversations to happen on the iPhone utilizing information the Apple Watch data. These are the gadgets I take advantage of, because the Apple ecosystem does extra for me than anything.
Then there’s the privateness side. Do not forget that I hold making some extent about generative AI merchandise not having sufficient privateness protections in place. Apple may repair that.
With the instance Google provided, the AI assistant would have entry to loads of private information. We’re taking a look at train historical past info, location information associated to these runs, and sleep-tracking historical past.
There’s additionally the matter of processing that info. If it occurs on a tool, I wouldn’t fear about that information being shared with anybody else. But when the info hits Google’s server, then that’s an issue.
Google has but to handle the privateness implications of any such private AI assistant. And that’s one thing that Apple would do first when unveiling such superior AI options.
On that notice, I’ll add that Google by no means used the phrase “privateness” throughout its Made by Google occasion. That’s hardly stunning contemplating all of the generative AI improvements it showcased.
With all that in thoughts, I’m trying ahead to Apple implementing related AI options in iOS and watchOS within the close to future. Hopefully, it received’t take too lengthy to see such personalised AI options from Apple merchandise.
