AI Solutionism and Digital Self-Tracking with Wearables

Abstract

Self-tracking technologies and wearables automate the process of data collection and insight generation with the support of artificial intelligence systems, with many emerging studies exploring ways to evolve these features further through large-language models (LLMs). This is done with the intent to reduce capture burden and the cognitive stress of health-based decision making, but studies neglect to consider how automation has stymied the agency and independent reflection of users of self-tracking interventions. In this position paper, we explore the consequences of automation in self-tracking by relating it to our experiences with investigating the Oura Ring, a sleep wearable, and navigate potential remedies.