Apple has long positioned itself as a leader in health technology integration across its product ecosystem. Now, according to recent reports, the company is preparing to take a significant leap forward with a complete overhaul of its Health app, internally codenamed 'Mulberry,' which will introduce sophisticated AI capabilities aimed at providing personalized health coaching to users.
Project Mulberry: Apple's AI Health Revolution
Apple's ambitious health initiative, known internally as Project Mulberry, represents CEO Tim Cook's long-term vision of making substantial contributions to healthcare. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in his Power On newsletter, this revamped Health app will feature an AI agent designed to function as a virtual health coach, offering personalized recommendations based on user data collected from iPhones, Apple Watches, AirPods, and other wearable devices. The new AI-powered Health app is expected to debut with iOS 19.4, scheduled for release in spring 2026.
Project Mulberry Features
- AI health coaching based on personal data
- Recommendations developed with medical professionals
- Video guides on health issues and fitness techniques
- Advanced nutrition tracking capabilities
- Workout analysis using iPhone cameras
- Expected release: iOS 19.4 (Spring 2026)
Medical Expertise Behind the AI
To ensure accuracy and reliability in its health recommendations, Apple is reportedly taking the extraordinary step of hiring various medical professionals to develop content for the app. The company is assembling a team of sleep experts, nutritionists, physical therapists, mental health specialists, and cardiologists to create educational videos that will be incorporated into the Health app. These videos will reportedly be recorded at a dedicated facility near Oakland, California, providing users with professional guidance on various health topics.
Medical Experts Being Hired
- Sleep experts
- Nutritionists
- Physical therapists
- Mental health specialists
- Cardiologists
The Search for a Medical Face
In an interesting development, Apple is reportedly searching for a major doctor personality to serve as the public face or host for this new service, which might be called Health+ internally. This celebrity doctor would likely help establish credibility for the platform and make the AI-driven health advice more relatable to users. The move indicates Apple's awareness that health recommendations require a human touch, even when powered by artificial intelligence.
Nutrition Focus and Competitive Positioning
One of the notable aspects of Project Mulberry is Apple's renewed focus on nutrition tracking, an area where the company has previously lagged behind competitors. The new Health app will place significant emphasis on monitoring food consumption, potentially challenging established nutrition apps like MyFitnessPal and Noom. This expansion would position Apple's Health app as a comprehensive health management platform rather than just a data collection tool.
Challenges and Risks
The development of an AI health coach presents significant challenges for Apple, particularly given the sensitive nature of medical advice. The company has recently faced setbacks in the AI category, including delays to its revamped Siri and legal troubles related to allegedly overhyped AI capabilities. Health recommendations carry even greater risks, as inaccurate advice could potentially lead to serious consequences for users. Apple's approach of incorporating real medical expertise into the development process appears to be a direct response to these concerns.
Competitive Landscape
With Project Mulberry, Apple is positioning itself to compete more directly with specialized fitness and wellness services like Fitbit Premium, Samsung Health, and personalized coaching platforms such as Future. These competitors have been consistently enhancing their offerings with advanced analytics and tailored health recommendations. Apple's entry into this space with its characteristic focus on seamless integration across devices could potentially disrupt the market.
The Future of Apple Health
If successful, Project Mulberry could represent a significant evolution in how users interact with their health data. By transforming passive health monitoring into active coaching and recommendations, Apple is attempting to deliver on Tim Cook's vision of making meaningful contributions to healthcare. The initiative also aligns with the company's broader push into services, potentially creating new revenue streams beyond hardware sales. As spring 2026 approaches, the tech and healthcare communities will be watching closely to see if Apple can deliver on these ambitious promises.