How AI is Revolutionizing Healthcare – And Why Fitness is Part of the Future
© Shutterstock
Bar ohne Namen
Entschlossen verweigert sich Savage, der Bar einen Namen zu geben. Stattdessen sind drei klassische Design-Symbole das Logo der Trinkstätte in Dalston: ein gelbes Quadrat, ein rotes Viereck, ein blauer Kreis. Am meisten wurmt den sympathischen Franzosen dabei, dass es kein Gelbes-Dreieck-Emoji gibt. Das erschwert auf komische Weise die Kommunikation. Der Instagram Account lautet: a_bar_with_shapes-for_a_name und anderenorts tauchen die Begriffe ‘Savage Bar’ oder eben ‚Bauhaus Bar‘ auf.
Für den BCB bringt Savage nun sein Barkonzept mit und mixt für uns mit Unterstützung von Russian Standard Vodka an der perfekten Bar dazu.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is currently transforming a wide range of industries – healthcare included. From digital diagnostics and patient management to automated software development, the applications are growing rapidly. But how disruptive is this change really? And what role does the fitness sector play – a field often viewed separately from traditional healthcare?
AI versus doctor and trainer?
One expert who passionately explores these questions is Prof. Dr. David Matusiewicz. As a health economist, university professor and sought-after keynote speaker – including at FIBO 2025 – his message is clear: "Technology doesn't replace people – but it can save them time and help reduce errors. A doctor or trainer who uses digital tools will make better decisions than someone who works entirely analog."
© Prof. David Matusiewicz
Two Systems – One Mission?
So far, the traditional healthcare system (GPs, hospitals, rehab centers...) and the so-called "second health market" (fitness studios, personal trainers, health apps...) largely operate side by side. There are few shared interfaces. Data rarely flows between these two worlds – even though digital solutions like health tracking, AI-driven analysis, wearable data or personalized coaching systems could be highly beneficial to both fields.
"A more systematic integration of these two markets would be very valuable," says Prof. Matusiewicz. "Fitness is more than lifestyle. It's prevention, recovery – sometimes even therapy – even if the current healthcare system barely recognizes that."
What AI Can Do – And Where Fitness Fits In
AI can already handle many routine tasks in healthcare: suggesting diagnoses, analyzing patient records, enabling voice-controlled documentation, or managing early warning systems in care facilities. In the fitness industry, AI can create personalized training plans, analyze performance data, sync health data with other systems, and boost motivation through gamification. Increasingly, the interface between humans and technology is becoming more intuitive and empathetic.
A particularly important area, according to Prof. Matusiewicz, is Digital Therapeutics (DTx): "A digital therapeutic is software used as a medical product to treat, alleviate, or prevent a disease or disorder. DTx are based on scientific evidence and can be used alone or in combination with other therapies to improve patient care." But here’s the crux: As long as data sovereignty, privacy concerns, and system boundaries remain unresolved, much of the potential will stay untapped. Matusiewicz therefore calls for more courage: regulatory sandboxes to test new solutions, and clear frameworks for cooperation between fitness, medicine, insurance providers – and the emerging technologies.
A Question of Mindset – And Responsibility
Beyond technical conditions, cultural and societal factors also play a role. Matusiewicz emphasizes how crucial lifestyle is for long-term health – and not just in old age. "Elder care begins in kindergarten. We need to develop healthy routines, healthy habits, and a wellness-oriented lifestyle from early childhood." Health becomes a conscious choice – and a matter of personal responsibility. "Diseases are often like loaded guns: it depends on the person whether they pull the trigger." And this is where AI can help. Especially in the field of molecular medicine, it can identify risks and opportunities early enough to prevent diseases from developing.
His conclusion: "Prevention, education, and early health awareness must be the core pillars of any future healthcare strategy – and of any responsible use of AI."
Molecular Medicine as a Key Discipline
From Matusiewicz’s point of view, molecular medicine is another important field of the future, helping build essential bridges. It’s an interdisciplinary area that connects basic research and clinical application – using methods from biology, biochemistry, genetics and pharmacology to understand the molecular causes of diseases and develop targeted treatments.
"Digital processes like AI-based analysis of genetic data will become increasingly important – especially in personalized therapy and risk analysis," he predicts.
Outlook: Longevity as a Bridge to the Future?
This development plays a major role in the growing Longevity trend – the pursuit of a long, healthy life. In this field, the lines between medicine, prevention, lifestyle and technology are particularly fluid. Matusiewicz sees it this way:
"If we understand health and prevention as lifelong tasks, then fitness, nutrition, sleep and mental well-being are just as essential as lab values and medical diagnoses. The future lies in combining all of these – and in systems that connect them."
That’s where AI comes in: not only as a bridge between currently separate systems – but also as a tool that helps people not just live longer, but live better.
More about Prof. Dr. David Matusiewicz
