Google Enhances Search with New AI-Powered Health-Care Features!

At its annual The Check Up event, Google unveiled a series of AI-driven healthcare advancements aimed at improving medical research, patient care, and accessibility to reliable health information.

From enhancing Search capabilities and expanding medical record integration to AI-driven drug discovery and pediatric cancer treatment support, Google’s latest initiatives underscore its growing role in the intersection of AI and healthcare.

AI Overviews and “What People Suggest” in Search

One of the major updates announced at The Check Up focuses on Google Search, which is increasingly becoming a primary source of health-related information for users worldwide.

Google has been using AI Overviews—introduced last year—to generate more relevant and factually accurate search results for health-related queries.

These overviews help users navigate complex medical topics by offering structured, AI-generated summaries.

Notably, Google’s knowledge panels, which previously covered basic ailments like the flu or the common cold, have been expanded to include thousands of additional medical conditions.

This update also introduces support for Spanish, Portuguese, and Japanese on mobile, broadening access to non-English speakers seeking credible medical information.

A new feature called “What People Suggest” further enhances Google’s health-related search experience.

Unlike traditional search results that prioritize expert medical sources, this feature aggregates insights from online discussions and forums to provide real-world experiences from individuals managing similar health conditions.

“While people come to Search to find reliable medical information from experts, they also value hearing from others who have similar experiences.

Using AI, we’re able to organize different perspectives from online discussions into easy-to-understand themes, helping you quickly grasp what people are saying.” — Karen DeSalvo, Chief Health Officer, Google

For example, an arthritis patient looking for exercise recommendations will not only see medically reviewed guidance but also user-shared experiences about what exercises have worked for them.

The inclusion of “What People Suggest” appears to be a strategic move by Google to retain users within its ecosystem rather than directing them to external discussion platforms like Reddit, Quora, or patient forums.

By curating and structuring community-generated insights, Google aims to make Search more engaging and user-centric while ensuring credibility remains intact.

Medical Records API Expansion in Health Connect

Google is expanding its Health Connect platform by launching new Medical Records APIs globally.

These APIs enable apps to read and write medical data, allowing users to synchronize personal health records from different healthcare providers into one unified system.

The most significant aspect of this update is that Google is standardizing medical records using the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) format, a widely recognized industry standard.

“These APIs enable apps to read and write medical record information like allergies, medications, immunizations, and lab results in standard FHIR format.

With these additions, Health Connect supports over 50 data types across activity, sleep, nutrition, vitals, and now medical records — making it easier to connect your everyday health data with data from your doctor’s office.” — Karen DeSalvo, Chief Health Officer, Google

This development represents a step toward greater interoperability in healthcare technology, reducing the fragmentation of medical data and giving patients more control over their health information.

Pixel Watch 3’s FDA-Approved ‘Loss of Pulse Detection’ Feature

Google’s Pixel Watch 3 is introducing a first-of-its-kind health feature: Loss of Pulse Detection, which has received FDA clearance in the U.S.

Using AI-driven heart rate sensors, the watch continuously monitors a user’s pulse.

If it detects a loss of pulse, it initiates a check-in prompt. If the user is unresponsive, the watch automatically calls emergency services, potentially saving lives.

Google had initially announced this feature in 2024 for European markets, and it is currently available in 14 countries.

In the U.S., the rollout is scheduled to begin by the end of March 2025.

By securing FDA clearance, Google is positioning the Pixel Watch as a medical-grade wearable, similar to Apple’s advancements in heart health monitoring.

AI ‘Co-Scientist’ for Biomedical Research

One of the more ambitious AI initiatives revealed at The Check Up is Google’s AI “Co-Scientist”, designed to assist researchers in generating novel hypotheses and research plans.

Built on Gemini 2.0, the AI analyzes vast amounts of scientific literature, helping researchers identify knowledge gaps and propose new experimental approaches.

For example, if scientists are studying how a disease-causing microbe spreads, the AI processes existing research, summarizes relevant findings, and suggests potential study directions.

Google is already collaborating with top institutions, including Imperial College London, Houston Methodist, and Stanford University.

“Though not meant to automate the scientific process, this collaborative tool is designed to help experts uncover new ideas and accelerate their work.”

This AI-driven approach could reduce the time required for scientific discovery, potentially revolutionizing research methodologies across various fields.

AI-Powered Drug Discovery with TxGemma

Google also introduced TxGemma, a collection of Gemma-based open AI models designed for drug discovery.

AI-powered drug discovery has the potential to reduce costs and development timelines.

The pharmaceutical industry currently spends billions of dollars on research and trials, with most drug candidates failing before reaching approval.

AI could streamline this process, identifying promising compounds faster than traditional methods.

Google plans to release TxGemma later this month for researchers to build upon and refine through Health AI Developer Foundations.

AI-Assisted Pediatric Cancer Treatment

One of the most impactful announcements was Google’s work in pediatric oncology.

The Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology in the Netherlands is developing Capricorn, an AI-powered tool that helps physicians personalize cancer treatments for children.

“With AI, physicians have more time to dedicate to what’s most important: patient care.”

By leveraging AI, doctors can spend less time sorting through complex medical literature and more time focusing on patients.

This could improve treatment outcomes for pediatric cancer patients worldwide.

Google’s The Check Up 2025 showcased the company’s deep investment in AI-driven healthcare solutions.

From enhancing health search capabilities and streamlining medical data access to advancing AI-powered drug discovery and improving life-saving wearables, these initiatives position Google as a key player in digital health innovation.

The tech giant’s AI-driven research tools and medical wearables are moving beyond traditional tech applications, with the potential to transform healthcare delivery and accelerate medical discoveries.

As these advancements roll out globally, Google’s AI-driven approach could reshape how we access, manage, and benefit from health-related information.

For more news and insights, visit AI News on our website.