Apple has developed a new AI model called the Wearable Behavior Model (WBM), which predicts health conditions more accurately by analyzing behavioral data over extended periods, such as sleep and activity patterns.

Trained on data from over 161,000 participants, WBM focuses on 27 interpretable metrics, including active energy and sleep duration, to identify health changes over time.

The algorithm monitors behavioral shifts over days or weeks, enabling it to detect gradually developing health issues like infections or injuries by analyzing gait and mobility.

Unlike earlier models that relied solely on real-time sensor data, WBM emphasizes pattern recognition in movement, sleep, and exercise, which improves health prediction accuracy.

A hybrid approach combining raw sensor data and behavioral patterns has shown to outperform models using only one data type, with the best results in most tested outcomes.

Currently, Apple Watch collects extensive health data but lacks the software to analyze these points collectively, which WBM aims to address.

Future updates will utilize existing hardware and be delivered via software, potentially reducing the need for new devices and benefiting both consumers and the environment.

There is hope that WBM will be integrated into upcoming Apple products, offering personalized health advice and early detection of health issues through enhanced alerts and coaching features.

However, the study's limitations include its focus on US-based Apple Watch users and the high cost of wearables, which may restrict access to preventive healthcare globally.

Meanwhile, Apple is settling a legal case with a $490 million settlement, allowing investors who bought shares between late 2018 and early 2019 to claim compensation, following a revenue warning that caused a significant drop in stock value.

This legal issue is part of broader challenges Apple faces, including a lawsuit from 2019 related to CEO Tim Cook's statements about iPhone sales in China amid macroeconomic concerns.

Overall, the integration of advanced AI like WBM signals Apple's push toward smarter health tech, which could eventually lead to less reliance on hardware upgrades and more personalized health management.