Micro-Engagements through AI-Smartwatch Wearables for eHealth: User Experiential Discourses on Social Media

Globally, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) wearables including smartwatches has gained traction. AI-Smartwatches have emerged as powerful communication tools and their increased use for personal eHealth is driven by capabilities to facilitate micro-engagements with users. Micro-engagements e...

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Main Authors: Ireen Mmatlou Manyuha, Elizabeth Lubinga
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Johannesburg 2025-01-01
Series:The Thinker
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Online Access:https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/The_Thinker/article/view/3944
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author Ireen Mmatlou Manyuha
Elizabeth Lubinga
author_facet Ireen Mmatlou Manyuha
Elizabeth Lubinga
author_sort Ireen Mmatlou Manyuha
collection DOAJ
description Globally, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) wearables including smartwatches has gained traction. AI-Smartwatches have emerged as powerful communication tools and their increased use for personal eHealth is driven by capabilities to facilitate micro-engagements with users. Micro-engagements enhance user experience and active interaction by providing real-time feedback that triggers the user to act. While smartwatches have the potential to effectively drive positive user health behaviour through instant communication, it is imperative to examine the strategic use of communication of these devices by smartwatch users. The purpose of this study was to examine AISmartwatch user experiences, specifically micro-engagement perceptions. Theoretically, the study was underpinned by The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. A qualitative approach, using a netnography design provided results from online discourses expressed on X (formerly known as Twitter), in response to a question tweeted about the effectiveness of smartwatches. Results indicate that the use of AI-smartwatches has propelled active personal engagement with health. Users reported tracking various aspects of their health due to instantly available data that is in turn used to seek solutions from health professionals. Conversely, it is unclear whether lay people who are not health professionals are skilled in interpreting the instant data that they are exposed to. This study provides much-needed insight into user experiences of strategic use of communication through AI-powered smartwatch devices using data-driven micro-engagements. It will inform Health Professionals, Health Service Organisations and AI Technology Developers among others regarding practice as well as improvement of technological services for digital public health.
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spelling doaj-art-70844b2049604cc2bd65c20bfdc3dda72025-01-30T09:01:19ZengUniversity of JohannesburgThe Thinker2075-24582616-907X2025-01-01101410.36615/rssqac09Micro-Engagements through AI-Smartwatch Wearables for eHealth: User Experiential Discourses on Social MediaIreen Mmatlou Manyuha0Elizabeth Lubinga1University of JohannesburgUniversity of Johannesburg Globally, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) wearables including smartwatches has gained traction. AI-Smartwatches have emerged as powerful communication tools and their increased use for personal eHealth is driven by capabilities to facilitate micro-engagements with users. Micro-engagements enhance user experience and active interaction by providing real-time feedback that triggers the user to act. While smartwatches have the potential to effectively drive positive user health behaviour through instant communication, it is imperative to examine the strategic use of communication of these devices by smartwatch users. The purpose of this study was to examine AISmartwatch user experiences, specifically micro-engagement perceptions. Theoretically, the study was underpinned by The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. A qualitative approach, using a netnography design provided results from online discourses expressed on X (formerly known as Twitter), in response to a question tweeted about the effectiveness of smartwatches. Results indicate that the use of AI-smartwatches has propelled active personal engagement with health. Users reported tracking various aspects of their health due to instantly available data that is in turn used to seek solutions from health professionals. Conversely, it is unclear whether lay people who are not health professionals are skilled in interpreting the instant data that they are exposed to. This study provides much-needed insight into user experiences of strategic use of communication through AI-powered smartwatch devices using data-driven micro-engagements. It will inform Health Professionals, Health Service Organisations and AI Technology Developers among others regarding practice as well as improvement of technological services for digital public health. https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/The_Thinker/article/view/3944Micro-EngagementsthroAI-Smartwatch WearableseHealthUser Experiential DiscoursesSocial Media
spellingShingle Ireen Mmatlou Manyuha
Elizabeth Lubinga
Micro-Engagements through AI-Smartwatch Wearables for eHealth: User Experiential Discourses on Social Media
The Thinker
Micro-Engagements
throAI-Smartwatch Wearables
eHealth
User Experiential Discourses
Social Media
title Micro-Engagements through AI-Smartwatch Wearables for eHealth: User Experiential Discourses on Social Media
title_full Micro-Engagements through AI-Smartwatch Wearables for eHealth: User Experiential Discourses on Social Media
title_fullStr Micro-Engagements through AI-Smartwatch Wearables for eHealth: User Experiential Discourses on Social Media
title_full_unstemmed Micro-Engagements through AI-Smartwatch Wearables for eHealth: User Experiential Discourses on Social Media
title_short Micro-Engagements through AI-Smartwatch Wearables for eHealth: User Experiential Discourses on Social Media
title_sort micro engagements through ai smartwatch wearables for ehealth user experiential discourses on social media
topic Micro-Engagements
throAI-Smartwatch Wearables
eHealth
User Experiential Discourses
Social Media
url https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/The_Thinker/article/view/3944
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