Life insurer Pru Life UK has officially released its mobile app "Pulse" which uses the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) for health management and is available to all users -- policy holders or not. The Pulse app will take advantage of Pru Life UK's large library of AI-backed and real-time updated symptom checker and will have a paid option for online consultation. "Through AI-powered features such as a symptom checker that acts as a digital-first gateway for users when seeking care and a health assessment tool that gives users insight into their long-term disease risks, Pulse enables its users to get a better picture of their health," said Pru Life UK president and CEO Antonio De Rosas. To make the app more responsive, De Rosas said the company plans to link it with wearable devices in future rollout of updates. The app's Symptom Checker and Healthcheck tools are enabled through technology-based health service provider Babylon, known for subscription remote consultations with healthcare professionals through video or text.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has set the wheels in motion for the crafting of the country's artificial intelligence (AI) sector roadmap to position the Philippines as an AI powerhouse in the Asean region. DTI undersecretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba led the formal signing on Thursday, November 7, of an agreement for the AI roadmap with data scientists Dr. Christopher Monterola and Dr. Erika Fille Legara of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM). "The formulation of the AI Roadmap is very important and timely. This effort provides the impetus that will move the country forward to keep up with the rapidly changing times," Aldaba said. Aldaba noted that the Philippines ranked third in the Southeast Asian region in the Government Artificial Intelligence Readiness Index 2019.