Jasmine Mirajkar AI, Wellness, and Longevity: The Human Algorithm in Action
By Jasmine Mirajkar
Journalist | Tech1Media
Director of Partnerships | Innovate Boise
In 2025, artificial intelligence has firmly stepped into the wellness and longevity space. No longer an experimental tool, AI is now part of how people manage their health, track their fitness, optimize nutrition, and even monitor early signs of disease. Menlo Ventures reports that more than half of U.S. adults (61%) have used AI in the past six months, and about one in five use it daily. Globally, that is upwards of 1.7 to 1.8 billion users, with 500 to 600 million engaging every day (menlovc.com).
For wellness and longevity companies, this is a transformational moment in history. Consumers are already integrating AI into personal health routines, from wearable devices that track sleep and recovery to virtual nutritionists that personalize meal plans. Yet Menlo Ventures highlights a striking gap: while AI is widely used, only around 3% of consumers pay for premium access. This leaves significant room for innovators to create value that people in health-conscious markets are willing to invest in.
Bain & Company segments consumers into five archetypes ranging from enthusiastic adopters to outright rejectors. Wellness and longevity products have the unique advantage of appealing across these groups. Enthusiasts seek cutting-edge tools for performance optimization, dabblers want approachable ways to improve lifestyle habits, and skeptics may be won over by transparent, science backed outcomes. In each case, trust and clear communication are as important as the technology itself (bain.com).
Attest’s 2025 Consumer Adoption of AI Report reinforces this point. While openness to AI is increasing, especially in areas like fitness and healthy aging, consumers still weigh ethical concerns, data privacy, and the irreplaceable role of human judgment (askattest.com). This is especially true when AI touches deeply personal decisions about physical and mental health.
That is where the “Human Algorithm” comes in, a central theme of Innovate Boise’s annual summit, Founders of the Mountain West, hosted in Boise, Idaho. Featured is a panel exploring how innovation and empathy can work in unison, ensuring AI serves human needs without losing sight of the human condition. In wellness and longevity, this means designing technology that not only tracks metrics but understands context…why those metrics matter to the person behind the data.
In the Mountain West, this philosophy is already visible. AI-enabled tools are helping rural clinics deliver preventative care, wearable tech is being used to measure stress levels in real time, and personalized wellness apps are integrating local food systems into nutritional recommendations. These solutions honor the values of the region, specifically in agricultural tech, while addressing the global need for healthier, longer lives.
For startup founders, this is an opportunity to differentiate by integrating AI with human-centered design principles. Wellness consumers respond to authenticity, cultural alignment, and trust. When AI solutions reflect the values and lifestyle of their communities, adoption rates rise and engagement deepens. For example:
- AI-powered health coaching that adapts recommendations to an individual’s daily rhythms, emotional state, and environmental conditions.
- Longevity platforms that combine genetic testing with guided, human-led consultations for actionable life extension strategies.
- Mental wellness AI companions that not only track patterns but connect users with human professionals when needed.
By framing AI as a partner in personal health rather than a replacement for human care, companies can appeal to both early adopters and cautious consumers. This approach also builds the trust necessary to convert free users into paying subscribers, addressing the monetization gap Menlo Ventures identifies.
AI adoption is accelerating across every sector, but wellness and longevity stand out as areas where the Human Algorithm can have immediate and profound impact. The Mountain West, through platforms like Founders of the Mountain West, is positioned to lead the conversation. By blending the precision of AI with the empathy of human connection, the region can set the standard for innovation that not only extends lifespan but enhances the quality of every year lived.
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