A new randomized clinical trial suggests that artificial intelligence may soon stand shoulder to shoulder with human health coaches in preventing diabetes. Conducted between October 2021 and December 2024 at two US clinical centers in Baltimore, Maryland, and Reading, Pennsylvania, the study included 368 adults with overweight or obesity and prediabetes. Participants were randomly assigned to either an AI-powered Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) delivered via a mobile app and Bluetooth-enabled scale or to a remotely delivered, human-coach-led DPP.
Comparable Results Between AI and Human Coaches
At 12 months, 31.7% of participants referred to the AI-led DPP achieved the primary composite outcome—defined as at least 5% weight loss, at least 4% weight loss plus 150 minutes of weekly physical activity, or an HbA1c reduction of at least 0.2 percentage points while maintaining a level below 6.5%—compared with 31.9% among those in the human-led group. The 0.2% difference (95% CI lower boundary, −8.2%) met the prespecified noninferiority margin of 15%, indicating similar effectiveness between the two approaches.
Engagement levels were also high, with 93.4% of participants initiating the AI-led program compared with 82.7% in the human-led arm. The median participant age was 58 years, and 71% were female.
Implications for Diabetes Prevention
Researchers concluded that a fully automated AI-driven intervention can match the success of traditional human-led coaching in helping individuals adopt healthier habits and lower their risk for diabetes. Because evidence-based lifestyle programs are often underused due to limited access and staffing challenges, AI-guided approaches could expand reach and reduce costs while maintaining clinical impact.
The findings suggest that with thoughtful design and oversight, AI may become a valuable tool for scaling preventive health services and empowering individuals to take control of their metabolic health before diabetes develops.
Reference
Mathioudakis N et al. An AI-powered lifestyle intervention vs human coaching in the diabetes prevention program: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2025; doi: 10.1001/jama.2025.19563.
