6.S963 Final Paper 7/19/2024

Emily Cheng
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Abstract

Wearable technology has seamlessly integrated into our daily lives, with tiny light-up screens or sophisticated rings becoming ubiquitous on wrists and fingers. Before these devices became commonplace, health statistics were inaccessible, something that only doctors could acquire through rigorous examination. Now, many metrics are easily collected and understood through intuitive charts and other visualizations. These devices cater to hardcore athletes, data junkies, and the everyday health-conscious individual, and in the US, one in three adults wear a portable device capable of health tracking. By processing the health data, companies provide tailored recommendations to each user, inviting consumers to rethink their fitness and wellness goals, whether to sleep earlier or to run eight miles in preparation for a marathon.

A current evaluation of the complex interplay between data science, machine learning, and human behavior reveals that the health-tech industry has excelled at building an ideal level of trust from its consumers. While today, wearables take the form of rings and wristlets, down the line, they may become more invasive and go beyond devices that monitor exercise, from memory prosthesis to heart implants. By investigating the consequences of the wearable industry today, society sets a precedent for the future, as the current handling of technology will set precedents relevant to future advancements in health monitoring technology.

Full Paper

Disclaimer

This paper was written for Alfred Spector’s MIT Spring 2024 course 6.S963 Beyond Models – Applying Data Science/AI Effectively. It has not been peer-reviewed, and it may contain errors.