Apple Is Working On “AI Doctors”

Apple might be about to turn your iPhone into your GP. According to Bloomberg, the tech giant is quietly working on a project dubbed “Project Mulberry,” aiming to build an AI-powered doctor that could live right inside your Health app. Think of it as a very well-trained chatbot — one that’s been coached by actual doctors to deliver advice like the real thing.

The plan? Combine Apple’s massive trove of health data (hello, Apple Watch metrics) with artificial intelligence to give personalised wellness insights — all without needing to book an appointment. The AI isn’t just designed to parrot WebMD-style symptom checklists; it’s being shaped by real medical professionals to offer guidance that mirrors what you’d get in an actual clinic.

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Apple’s rumoured “AI doc” may soon sit within a new version of the Health app, possibly as part of a premium subscription offering called Health+. That means paying for medical advice might not just be a thing of the past — it could become as simple as unlocking your phone.

The AI health agent would join Apple’s growing ecosystem of intelligent tools under the Apple Intelligence umbrella. But not everything has gone smoothly there. Like other tech firms dabbling in health tech, Apple is treading carefully; we’ve already seen backlash around similar services. Garmin, for example, caused a stir recently by launching an AI subscription for personalised fitness advice, prompting privacy concerns and side-eyes from some users.

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Still, Apple’s advantage lies in its tight ecosystem and hardware dominance. From heart rate to sleep quality and even blood oxygen levels, the Apple Watch already collects a dizzying amount of health data. If this AI doctor learns how to connect the dots and deliver actionable insights, it could be a game-changer — not to mention a massive win for preventative care.

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Bloomberg’s report also hints at expanding beyond traditional health metrics. Project Mulberry might eventually include things like food tracking and nutritional analysis, nudging Apple deeper into the wellness space and up against apps like MyFitnessPal or Noom.

Tim Cook has repeatedly said he hopes Apple’s “greatest contribution to mankind” will be in health. This AI experiment could be the boldest step toward that goal yet. Whether it’s actually safe, reliable, and doctor-approved remains to be seen — but if anyone’s going to make tech feel like a healthcare companion, it’s probably Apple.