With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, the healthcare sector is undergoing a radical shift towards preventative medicine. Smart devices are moving beyond watches and rings to include innovative tools capable of monitoring vital signs and detecting serious illnesses, such as depression, Alzheimer's, epilepsy, and colon cancer, before symptoms appear. These technologies, many of which were showcased at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, enable users to perform accurate self-examinations at home, potentially revolutionizing how individuals interact with healthcare.
The Current Challenge of Preventative Medicine and the Role of AI
Ramses Alcaid, CEO of the startup Neurabel, emphasizes that one of the biggest obstacles to preventative medicine today is the reluctance of many to visit a doctor regularly. He poses the question: "What if people knew exactly when they needed to see a doctor?" This is where AI-connected smart devices come in, monitoring subtle changes in the body daily and alerting users to early warning signs that warrant medical attention.
Headphones that Monitor Brain Activity: An Early Look at Neurological Diseases
Neurabel has developed a headset that uses electroencephalography (EEG) to continuously record and analyze brain activity. The current version can detect slowdowns in brain activity and suggest rest periods for the user. The company is currently working on advanced versions to improve the performance of esports players, and others that compare current data with the user's health history to detect abnormalities that may indicate diseases such as depression, Alzheimer's, or Parkinson's before physical symptoms appear.
Alcaid emphasizes that this technology does not provide a definitive medical diagnosis, but rather an early warning that prompts the user to consult a doctor in a timely manner, which can make a significant difference in treatment outcomes.
Devices for Epilepsy and Alzheimer's Patients
For its part, the French startup Naox has developed headphones that also use EEG, connected to a small device designed for epilepsy patients. The device detects abnormal short electrical impulses known as "spikes," which are indicators of epilepsy that are often more difficult to detect than the seizures themselves. The earbuds have received FDA approval and are primarily used during sleep to collect data. The company is currently collaborating with Parisian hospitals to study the relationship between these pulses and Alzheimer's disease.
Iris Scan: A Controversial but Promising Technology
Erihealth is preparing to launch a small smartphone accessory (priced at around $50) that photographs and analyzes the iris using iridology, a technology that is the subject of considerable scientific debate. The company's founders claim the device has up to 81% accuracy in detecting bowel disorders in patients previously diagnosed with colon cancer, with future plans to expand its use to the lungs and liver.
Scientific Concerns and Military Applications
Some experts have reservations about the reliability of consumer EEG devices in detecting complex diseases. Professor Anna Wexler of the University of Pennsylvania says that "sufficient confidence" in diagnosing these diseases is not yet available, even though artificial intelligence has greatly expanded the capabilities of these devices.
On the other hand, Neurabel is collaborating with the Ukrainian military to assess the mental health of soldiers returning from the front lines and to detect post-traumatic stress disorder in prisoners of war, demonstrating the practical applications of these technologies in sensitive contexts.
The Future of Preventive Healthcare
These developments show that artificial intelligence enables the miniaturization and affordability of medical screening devices, potentially leading to wider early disease detection. However, rigorous scientific studies are still needed to verify the effectiveness of these devices and ensure they complement, rather than replace, traditional medical diagnosis as a primary preventive tool.
In conclusion, this new generation of smart devices represents a significant leap towards personalized preventive medicine, empowering individuals to monitor their health daily. However, its success hinges on a balance between innovation and scientific rigor.
