From Fitbits to chatbots: can digital humans help solve the
New and emerging technologies have re-engineered healthcare delivery for a post-COVID-19 world.1 Rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and their integration into existing tech-based, healthcare delivery platforms are set to further transform our ability to digitally reach, meet and treat people for a wide range of chronic disease conditions and risk factors.2 In this editorial, we consider how cutting-edge developments in AI, and specifically digital humans, might help address our collective lack of progress against what has been termed the global physical inactivity pandemic.3
From Fitbits to AI chatbots: technological epochs and physical activity promotion
Mass print, radio and TV media aside, the mainstream adoption of technology to physical activity (PA) promotion can be loosely mapped into three chronological epochs. The first of these began with the uptake of pedometers, SMS messaging and static web-based interventions in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Later, the advent of smartphones and a multitude of health and fitness applications in the late 2000s provided the platform for mass uptake of advanced multifunction PA trackers such as the Jawbone, Fitbit and Garmin in the 2010s. We have arguably entered the beginning of a third epoch in the last few years, with research into PA chatbots and digital humans an exciting reality.4
What are chatbots and digital humans?
Basic chatbots follow branching narratives designed to get users (ie, clients/patients in healthcare) …
