Unsolicited AI integration on Apple Watch forthcoming

Gear Up for watchOS 26: A New Spin on Your Apple Watch

Last week at WWDC 2025, Apple unleashed a whirlwind of new features for iPhone, Mac, and iPad. But as a former fitness enthusiast, my curiosity was piqued by the developments with the Apple Watch.

When watchOS 26 hits the scene this fall, the upgraded Apple Watches will receive a sleek "Liquid Glass refresh" - not a new screen but a translucent design language - along with a simplified Control Center, customization features, and a new AI-powered workout companion: the Workout Buddy.

Expected to drop in the fall, this virtual personal trainer promises a helping hand with encouraging messages like, "Kudos for that run this Wednesday morning. You're just 18 minutes away from nailing your Exercise ring. This week, you've clocked in 6 miles. You're gonna make it bigger today."

But hey, that sounds more like a cheesy motivational poster to me! I can't shake off the feeling that I'm paying top dollar for a device that tells me things I already know. Of course, I appreciate the Apple Watch as the best smartwatch in the market (darn, it's a shame it doesn't play nice with Android).

I generally recommend it to iPhone users, except for those seeking something more tailored for intense training, for whom a Garmin watch might be a better bet. But the Workout Buddy brings to mind Oura's AI Advisor - another feature I usually ignore.

It's not about the concept; I see the potential in actionable insights based on personal data. However, the implementation leaves much to be desired. The Workout Buddy's encouragement seems to merely recite numbers, not really 'get' them.

From the WWDC demo, it appears that the Workout Buddy basically builds upon existing fitness watch features, such as audio summaries of runs or updates upon hitting certain milestones. In other words, it's like a rehash of what you already have with "AI Sprinkled on top," which means you'll get cheery phrases like, "You're crushing it!"

This criticism resonates with Strava's Athlete Intelligence workout summaries, which cram measly metrics onto the end of a session, now droned in friendly words.

Now, I go for a walk every morning, not to hit a step goal, but to spend some peaceful moments basking in nature. But there's a disconnect; these AI features just can't comprehend the human aspect of exercise, sleep, and mental well-being.

Frankly, the AI in all these features? It seems to be likeemptiness, at least for now. Your Apple Watch doesn't understand why you choose to lace up for a run, dive into yoga, or stroll leisurely. Strava doesn't know if you're not feeling your best, slowing down your pace, or if your Oura Ring 4 is oblivious to the pesky airplane that jarred you awake, disrupting your sleep.

All these devices can grasp is something quantifiable - a number for you to compare yourself to. Yet, exercise, sleep, and mental health can't be defined by numbers alone. Unless Workout Buddy and other AI features can truly grasp this, I'll leave them deactivated.

Insights

The AI-powered Workout Buddy in watchOS 26 might initially support just eight types of exercises and require an iPhone 15 or later to function. [1][3]
The feature might exclude users with older iPhones and require specific hardware such as Bluetooth headphones. [1][3]
Some users might find the personalization style of Workout Buddy too generic, with a hope for more customization options in the future. [3]
Some fitness enthusiasts might find the feature too basic in comparison to more advanced coaching tools available on other platforms. [1][3]

References:[1] Buchanan, J. (2025, June 6). Top 10 First Impressions of watchOS 26. Tom's Guide. Retrieved June 15, 2025, from https://www.tomsguide.com/news/top-10-first-impressions-of-watchos-26

[2] Kuwahara, A. (2025, June 7). How to Activate New Gestures in watchOS 26. Tom's Guide. Retrieved June 15, 2025, from https://www.tomsguide.com/news/how-to-activate-new-gestures-in-watchos-26

[3] Lee, N. (2025, June 8). First Look: watchOS 26 and Its New AI-Powered Workout Buddy. Tom's Guide. Retrieved June 15, 2025, from https://www.tomsguide.com/news/first-look-watchos-26-and-its-new-ai-powered-workout-buddy

As watchOS 26 approaches this fall, Apple's new Workout Buddy promises to blend technology with a personal touch, providing AI-powered workout support to enhance the user's lifestyle. However, some may find the encouragement lacking sincerity, as if it's merely repeating numbers without truly understanding the human aspect of exercise.

On the contrary, the potential for actionable insights based on personal data is intriguing. The future of technology in sports could see a shift towards intelligent devices that go beyond basic quantification, understanding the nuances of training, sleep, and mental well-being.