Included Health has launched an AI-powered personal health assistant called Dot, positioning itself to compete directly against tech giants like Alphabet’s Verily and OpenAI in the rapidly growing healthcare AI market. The healthcare startup, which serves approximately 300 employers and health plans, spent 18 months rigorously testing the AI tool before rolling it out to its entire employer base.
The AI assistant leverages patients’ medical claims, benefits information, and comprehensive health data to provide on-demand answers to health-related questions. Unlike general-purpose AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Claude, Included Health’s Dot is designed to deliver precise, personalized guidance based on each patient’s specific medical history and secure health data. CEO Owen Tripp emphasized that “this can’t be ChatGPT level of probability. It has to be precise.”
The competitive landscape is intensifying as major tech players enter the healthcare AI space. Alphabet’s Verily released its own AI-powered health app in October that connects medical records with chatbot functionality. OpenAI is also exploring consumer health tech opportunities, including developing its own personal health assistant, as Business Insider reported in November.
Dot serves as the front door for Included Health’s members, helping with open enrollment benefits questions, preparing patients for doctor visits, and sending clinicians summaries of patients’ past visits. The company maintains a human-in-the-loop approach, employing clinicians and care advocates for members who prefer human interaction. Notably, if a patient mentions “suicide” in conversation with Dot, a human representative calls within a minute.
Tripp expressed skepticism about Big Tech’s staying power in personalized healthcare AI, predicting many will “pull back” due to regulatory complexity and the challenges of medical records aggregation. He believes successful companies will need “well-trained physicians licensed in all 50 states, delivering on a real-time platform.”
Regarding Included Health’s business trajectory, the company was originally planning an IPO in 2022 but withdrew when markets declined. Tripp noted the company is now profitable and doesn’t need to raise capital through a public listing, though an IPO could facilitate strategic acquisitions in the evolving healthcare AI landscape.
Key Quotes
This can’t be ChatGPT level of probability. It has to be precise.
CEO Owen Tripp emphasized the higher accuracy standards required for healthcare AI compared to general-purpose chatbots. This statement underscores Included Health’s focus on precision and reliability in medical contexts, distinguishing their approach from consumer AI tools.
When it gets down to the business of actually taking care of oneself or taking care of somebody else, you’re going to need a lot of very secure, specific data and a whole context to go solve problems, including the exact medical history of that patient.
Tripp explained why personalized health data is essential for effective healthcare AI, highlighting the limitations of general AI models. This quote articulates Included Health’s competitive advantage over Big Tech companies that lack integrated access to comprehensive patient data.
I predict, like many before them, they will pull back. It’s just hard, and the juice is often not worth the squeeze for these high-profile companies.
Tripp expressed skepticism about Big Tech’s commitment to navigating healthcare’s regulatory complexity. This bold prediction suggests he believes specialized healthcare companies have sustainable advantages despite Big Tech’s resources and AI capabilities.
Companies that are going to succeed will be the ones that have well-trained physicians licensed in all 50 states, delivering on a real-time platform, across mind, body, and wallet.
Tripp outlined his vision for what successful healthcare AI companies will look like, emphasizing the importance of licensed medical professionals and comprehensive care delivery. This statement positions Included Health’s human-in-the-loop model as superior to purely AI-driven approaches.
Our Take
Included Health’s launch represents a strategic bet that specialized healthcare infrastructure trumps raw AI capabilities. While OpenAI and Alphabet have superior AI models, they lack the regulatory licenses, provider networks, and integrated health data that Included has built over a decade. This is reminiscent of how specialized fintech companies initially outmaneuvered Big Tech in banking despite inferior technology.
The 18-month testing period signals appropriate caution in a high-stakes domain where AI hallucinations could have serious consequences. However, Tripp’s confidence may be premature—Big Tech has repeatedly demonstrated willingness to play the long game in regulated industries. The real question is whether Included can maintain its lead as foundation models improve and tech giants acquire or partner with healthcare providers. The company’s profitability and potential M&A strategy suggest they’re positioning for consolidation in what will likely become a winner-take-most market.
Why This Matters
This development signals a critical inflection point in healthcare AI, where specialized health tech companies are directly challenging Big Tech’s dominance. The launch demonstrates how AI is transforming patient care delivery, moving beyond general health information to personalized, data-driven guidance that could fundamentally reshape how patients navigate complex healthcare systems.
The competitive dynamics are particularly significant as they highlight the tension between general-purpose AI models and specialized healthcare applications. While companies like OpenAI and Anthropic offer broad AI capabilities, Included Health’s approach emphasizes the importance of precision, regulatory compliance, and integration with existing healthcare infrastructure.
For businesses and employers, this represents a new category of benefits technology that could reduce healthcare costs and improve employee health outcomes. The emphasis on accuracy and human oversight also addresses critical concerns about AI safety in medical contexts, potentially setting standards for the industry. As healthcare AI adoption accelerates, the success or failure of these competing approaches will determine whether specialized healthcare companies or tech giants dominate this multi-billion dollar market.
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Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/included-health-launches-own-ai-personal-health-assistant-2025-12