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“ People need help with discipline . Wearables assist , but we also need that ‘ health coach ’— AI-driven or human — to keep us on track .”
— Peng T . Ong
Over the years , these papers number in the tens of millions . Concurrently , individuals accumulate their own extensive personal telemetry — ranging from lab tests and wearables to continuous glucose monitoring and genetic analyses . The question becomes :
“ Which 3 or 4 studies out of 30 , 40 , or 50 million actually apply to you ?”
“ For some people , finding those studies might mean life or death .”
No single doctor — or even a large team — can sift through all that data . Hence , Ong believes healthcare must be reframed as a “ computing problem ,” one that systematically connects the right information to each patient at the right moment .
A Computer Science Mindset for Healthcare If no human can keep pace with the exploding volume of research and personal data , then AI working alongside doctors becomes nearly unavoidable . 1 . AI-Powered Knowledge Management By scanning millions of academic papers , AI can tease out associations that would otherwise remain buried , providing targeted insights .
2 . Wearables & Data Integration Continuous input from devices ( like WHOOP or the Oura Ring ) transforms generic “ exercise more , eat less ” guidance into day-by-day , individualised recommendations .
3 . Early Detection Through advanced data analysis , AI can flag subtle biomarkers before they become full-blown issues , aligning with Ong ’ s preference for prevention rather than mere treatment .
From Lifespan to Healthspan Whilst some visionaries talk about “ ending ageing ,” Ong focuses on “ squaring the curve ”— reducing the period of debilitating illness so that we spend more of our added years in good health .
“ Research consistently indicates that adopting balanced eating habits , regular exercise , and adequate sleep can add 5 to 15 years of active life ,” Ong notes .
“ It ’ s not about chasing immortality ; it ’ s about enjoying more vibrant years while we ’ re here .”
Governments worldwide realise that prioritising wellness over late-stage interventions can substantially ease healthcare expenditures related to chronic conditions .
Why Blitzscaling Won ’ t Work for Longevity Recent years in tech witnessed “ blitzscaling ,” where companies rapidly expand at any cost . Ong maintains that healthcare and longevity demand a different approach :
• Trust Over Transaction Blitzscaling often emphasises speed and market share above all else , which can jeopardise longterm rapport . In healthcare , trust is essential — patients must feel safe sharing sensitive information .
“ Building a company that people trust with their well-being isn ’ t about blitzscaling . It ’ s about genuine care — one patient at a time .”
• Complex Regulation and Risk Healthcare initiatives face strict oversight and extended clinical trials . Scaling too aggressively may risk patient safety and compliance .
• Aligned Unit Economics In longevity and health , actual value manifests as better patient outcomes , not high-profile user acquisition fuelled by subsidies .
• Ethical and Social Obligations A mistake in a social media app may cause uproar , but a blunder in healthcare can be fatal . The margins for error and ethical stakes are significantly higher .
Human Behaviour : The Deciding Factor Even the finest AI cannot override human nature . Encouraging people to adopt healthier habits remains the ultimate hurdle :
• Consistent Nudges Daily movement prompts or readiness scores help turn lofty goals into manageable routines .
• Community and Gamification Social accountability , group fitness challenges , and small incentives often thrive in the close-knit cultures of Asia , boosting overall engagement .
Conclusion In the evolving narrative of human longevity , Peng T . Ong applies a tech-driven perspective : turning towering stacks of medical studies and real-time health data into actionable , personalised care . By merging precision medicine with AI — and emphasising trust over blitzscaling — he outlines a future in which healthcare is proactive and sustainable , rather than reactive and financially driven at any cost .
And whilst new technologies promise unprecedented personalisation , success hinges on a simple imperative : helping people adopt healthier habits , one disciplined step at a time . n
52 ISSUE 6 | 2024 GlobalHealthAsiaPacific . com