AI is changing healthcare in ways that almost feel magical. We can now predict risks, create treatments tailored to each person, and guide people toward healthier habits in ways that just weren’t possible before. But even with all this technology, most health tools struggle with the human side of things. Taking medicine on time, sticking to a treatment plan, completing exercises consistently are the actions that make a difference, and at the same time they’re the hardest for people to maintain.

70-90% of health app users stop engaging within a few months. Fitness and nutrition apps often manage to retain only a small fraction of users after the first month. The problem rarely lies in a lack of information as most people already know what they should be doing. The challenge is turning intention into consistent action, especially when results are slow to appear and motivation rises and falls.

This is where behavior design becomes crucial. Research, such as BJ Fogg’s Tiny Habits method, shows that sustainable change grows from small, consistent actions. In digital health, that means making tasks so manageable that they feel almost effortless, then building on that momentum over time. Gamification can play a role, but it has to feel authentic. Streaks, points, social recognition, and progress milestones work best when they’re meaningful and delivered at the right moment.

In my talk, I share proven ways to design AI-powered health products that adapt to a person’s mindset, daily routine and sources of motivation. I walk through examples of how thoughtful onboarding, progress tracking and timely feedback can build lasting habits, why some nudges succeed while others fail, and how to use behavioral science with AI personalization to keep people engaged.

By the end of this talk, builders/designers of healthcare products will leave with practical strategies for using AI and behavioral science together.

---