Hi ,

I hope this email finds you well and that you are looking forward to a great year ahead.

A new study caught my attention because it explores something many of us wonder about: Can an artificial intelligence (AI) coach help people prevent diabetes (or any other health condition) just as well as a human coach?

The answer appears to be yes.

What Is a Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP)?

A DPP is a structured lifestyle program designed to help people with prediabetes reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It typically includes guidance on nutrition, physical activity, stress management, and tracking weight and blood sugar levels. In traditional DPPs, participants meet regularly with a trained health coach—in person or online—to learn strategies and stay accountable.

What This Study Found

Researchers compared a fully automated AI-led DPP (with no human coach) with a standard human-coach-led DPP. Both groups included adults with prediabetes and overweight or obesity.

After one year, about one in three people in both programs achieved the main success goals:

• Maintaining HbA1c below 6.5%
• Losing approximately 5% of body weight
• Increasing physical activity to 150 minutes per week

The difference between the two programs was minimal—the AI-led program worked just as well as the human-led one. Interestingly, more people enrolled in the AI-led program, possibly because it was easier to integrate into daily life.

The human-coach program was delivered remotely but required participants to attend about 16 sessions over 24 weeks—a potential barrier compared to the self-paced AI program.

Why This Matters

As you know, I'm a techno-optimist who practiced medicine in India, a resource-constrained country. Not everyone has easy access to a coach or clinic. Most human-led diabetes prevention programs cost an estimated $600–$1,200 per year, while an AI-led program may cost $99–$200 annually (unconfirmed).

An AI-led program could make diabetes prevention more accessible, particularly for people who prefer self-paced learning or have demanding schedules.

The Empathy Test

I often hear, "AI can never replace humans." I'm not convinced that will remain true in the years ahead, especially as we move toward superintelligence.

When it comes to empathy—at least in text-based responses—chatbots have already outperformed human doctors, scoring about 73% higher in one study. ( And similarly with diagnostics)

There's No Single Best Way

Some people thrive with a human coach, while others prefer the flexibility of digital coaching. The key is finding what works best for you.

So tell me—would you prefer a human coach or an AI coach?

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Dr. Shabnam Das Kar, MD

Functional Medicine Doctor

Tiny Habits Coach

Email: info@drkarmd.com

References:

1. Mathioudakis, Nestoras, et al. "An AI-Powered Lifestyle Intervention vs Human Coaching in the Diabetes Prevention Program: A Randomized Clinical Trial." JAMA (2025).
2. Howcroft, Alastair, et al. "AI chatbots versus human healthcare professionals: a systematic review and meta-analysis of empathy in patient care." British Medical Bulletin 156.1 (2025): ldaf017.