From The ICAA Journal Of Active Aging in 2018, Colin Milner Interviews Bryan O'Rourke To Understand Emerging Technologies And Their Impact On The Quality Of Life .

1. The Journal on Active Aging/Special technology issue 2018 www.icaa.cc48
Continued on page 50
‘New era’solutions:
Emerging technologies
to improve quality of life
Trends
The market opportunity for
health, fitness and wellness—
including ‘betterment’—prod-
ucts and services encompass-
es technologies in four arenas
by Colin Milner
There is one simple truth about the 1.6
billon adults worldwide who are over
age 501
: They all have challenges that
technology can play a role in improving.
From health and wellness to communi-
cations and transportation, the oppor-
tunity is immense for any organization
that will listen, learn, create, implement
and deliver technological solutions
that can help meet this population’s
diverse—and growing—needs, wants
and expectations, not to mention their
aspirations.
In 2015, the active-aging market rep-
resented a USD$24.4-billion market
opportunity for technology providers,
according to the Consumer Technology
Association’s CTA Market Report: Active
Aging,2
released in March 2016. This op-
portunity is expected to grow to $42.7
billion by 2020, CTA predicts. So, what
are the areas that hold promise for those
delivering wellness programs?
As CEO of the International Coun-
cil on Active Aging®, I recently had
an intriguing interview with Bryan
O’Rourke to explore this question for
the Journal on Active Aging’s technology
issue. O’Rourke, a seasoned executive,
investor, board member and advisor,
has worked with many global brands
and organizations in technology, health
and fitness. He is also president of the
nonprofit Fitness Industry Technology
Council [Ed. Turn to page 57for a brief
biography]. Active-aging organiza-
tions seek to embrace new and existing
technologies while planning for what is
on the horizon, so I asked this industry
leader to share his insights with JAA
readers. Let’s jump right in to the
discussion.
CM: Beyond “wearables,” what do you
consider to be some exciting new areas in
technology in health, wellness and fitness?
BO: There are many exciting emerg-
ing technologies that extend beyond
the wearables trend. For the most part,
these technologies encompass four basic
arenas:

2. ‘Technologies can be used to help
people live healthier, happier lives
while making our organizations
and businesses more effective,’ says
Bryan O’Rourke. Image courtesy of
Bryan K. O’Rourke

3. The Journal on Active Aging/Special technology issue 2018 www.icaa.cc50
‘New era’solutions:Emerging technologies to improve
quality of life Continued from page 48
• artificial intelligence [AI]
• interfaces, like voice and augmented
[AR] or virtual reality [VR]
• sensors
• automated solutions, like robotics
These technologies essentially come
down to data inputs, and the outputs
that humans interact with or benefit
from. Driving the evolution of the
emerging tech—and its backbone—
are 24/7 connectivity to the Internet,
cloud computing, and continued ad-
vancing hardware and software. Com-
bined, these components are leading
to the Internet of Things (or “IoT”), a
global network of intelligent cyber-
physical systems that futurist Kevin
Kelly calls “the Holos.”3,4
[Ed. See page
54 for some resources in which Kelly
describes this concept.]
When we define technology arenas in
this way, it helps clarify our understand-
ing of fitness, health, wellness and, as I
like to term them, “betterment” prod-
ucts and services that will likely emerge.
We see evidence of these arenas in the
new products and services available now
that reflect these trends.
For example, voice interface solu-
tions (like Amazon’s Alexa) now offer
meditation, fitness, nutrition, and other
voice applications for humans. Vi, Life-
BEAM’s AI personal trainer, coaches
people who are exercising with voice.
Expect voice to continue to emerge as
a significant interface platform with all
technologies because of its convenience
and intuitive nature.
The continued evolution of AI will en-
able more productive applications for
users. Noom, which monitors and pro-
vides expert advice and analysis to help
people manage their weight, recently
became the first online platform to be
recognized by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention [CDC] as an
effective program for reducing the risk
of diabetes. This is a turning point for
AI in the health and fitness sphere.
CDC is planning to allow patients to be
reimbursed by Medicare, which could
encourage doctors to recommend AI
solutions.
In the area of mental health, AI applica-
tions like Replika mimic being a human
friend, learning from and about you the
more you interact with them. Woebot
is an online therapist that helps apply
cognitive behavior techniques to improve
users’ moods.
AR and VR technologies like Magic Leap
One and Oculus Go are also bringing new
immersive interfaces to people, resulting
in more impactful experiences. Gamifi-
cation of activity—as we saw with the
Pokemon Go phenomenon—will become
more prevalent, as will the ability for vid-
eo content to become more emotionally
impactful. Motivation, education, deeper
understanding and further exposure to
the world in general can have tremendous
benefits for humanity.
There are many examples of these ex-
citing new technologies, which are so
important because they can do a much
better job of improving the quality of
people’s lives. We are just getting started
and the potential is significant. In the
end, technologies can be used to help
people live healthier, happier lives while
making our organizations and businesses
more effective.
CM: How are these technologies being
implemented, and by whom?
BO: Ultimately, adoption of technolo-
gies comes down to people’s choices—the
telephone replaced the telegraph, for
example, due to cost and convenience.
The adoption of new technologies does
take time, however. And there is always a
learning curve.
First, with respect to implementation,
technologies are being applied to impact
five key areas in the most foreword-
thinking organizations:
• hyperpersonalization—highly per-
sonalized offerings made possible
through the collection and use of
customer data
• uber-convenience—service offerings
that save time and effort at all aspects
of the customer experience

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Continued on page 52
• frictionless transactions—simplified
purchase processes that enable quick
and easy payment decisions
• omnichannel delivery—integrated
on- and offline channels (digital and
physical) used to deliver offerings,
experiences or content
• content—materials created to give
audiences valuable information
rather than simply to sell products
or services, all with the ultimate
goal of motivating customers
to act
The new technologies that I previously
mentioned—AI, new interfaces like
voice and AR, sensors, and automated
solutions—comprise key parts of the
engines that make executing these five
dynamics possible.
People use tools they enjoy and which
are more effective and less costly than
alternatives. Therefore, in order to
help people be healthier and happier,
successful health, wellness and fitness
solutions—including “betterment” solu-
tions—must be designed with these five
criteria in mind.
Second, with respect to who is adopting
these technologies, there are those “im-
plementing” them and others transform-
ing their entire organizations around
them—there is a difference. In a world
where customers’ expectations continue
to heighten, you are either moving to-
ward the future quickly or being crushed
by it. It is inadequate for companies to
try to implement certain technology fea-
tures instead of assessing the potential to
transform user experiences and econom-
ics holistically by using technology.
My research suggests “outlier” organiza-
tions that excel at digital transformation
represent only 4–8% of the existing
competitors in any consumer industry,
with another 15% making meaningful
progress toward reengineering their user
experiences. That leaves around 80%
of competitors as average, mediocre or
poor. It is a great time to be an innovator
or new entrant in “betterment,” because
the opportunities are significant. Many
new technology trends are introduced
by new companies unburdened by legacy
thinking or functions.
CM: Please highlight a few new products
that could significantly impact the well-
being of older adults, and tell us why.
BO: The “healthcare” experience is a
good reference point to juxtapose legacy
operations and new era solutions while
identifying real products in the market-
place. Think of going to see a physician
for basic care as opposed to using the
Doctor On Demand app. In the old
world, you drive somewhere, fill out
paperwork, wait, and see a physician for
maybe 10 minutes to obtain a diagnosis.
This endeavor can take several hours. In
the new era, with Doctor On Demand,
you use an app on your telephone to see
the licensed doctor via video and have
a diagnosis performed in a matter of
minutes without having to go anywhere.
The realm of traditional healthcare will
undergo massive transformations that
extend beyond this example.
Look for voice interface and AI to usher
in an era of intelligent assistants, advis-
ing you of the medications you need
to take and ensuring you get adequate
activity and sleep and eat well. Constant
monitoring of health conditions will be
a given, as will proactive interventions
around unhealthy episodes. The Apple
Watch has already been credited with
notifying many users of cardiac events
and conditions, saving lives; it now also
reminds you to stand up or meditate.
Solutions like this are appearing in the
form of Google’s Assistant and Apple’s
Siri. In fact, Siri can now recognize be-
haviors and prompt certain actions or
reminders to help. Running late? Siri can
text your boss. Son’s birthday? Remind-
ed. This is just the beginning.
As we see in Japan today, personal robots
are entering the mainstream that offer
both physical and emotional support
to older and younger people. Countless
robots are for sale. From the Pepper and
Temi robots available today, with many
more emerging and under development,
expect robots to become an increasingly
common reality in a variety of industries
and in people’s homes in the coming years.
CM: Today, we talk about smart homes,
smart clubs, smartwatches, etc. Where do
you see this area heading?
BO: The term smart in this context
commonly refers to the Internet of
Things. The collection of data via sen-
sors, the storage of that data in the
cloud, and the use of machine learning
and AI can combine to create a litany of
helpful solutions. Massive data collec-
tion is resulting in insights that were not
possible previously.
The industry that has the greatest
chance to be transformed by smart tech-
nologies is traditional healthcare as it
morphs into scientific wellness, a quanti-
tative approach that includes improving
the health of individuals, creating per-
sonalized treatments, reversing disease
transitions and reducing costs. This new
industry will be distinct from more con-
temporary wellness trends. The reams of
data on health and deeper understand-
ing of individual genomes will make a
major impact on treating debilitating
diseases and chronic conditions. Health-
care will shift to improving wellness
for the individual, creating medicine
that is preventive, personalized and
participatory while reversing rising
cost trends.
Alzheimer’s disease, for example, costs
nearly half a trillion dollars a year and
Bryan K. O’Rourke, MBA
Bryan O’Rourke is an executive,
investor, board member and advi-
sor who works with many global
brands and organizations in technol-
ogy, health and fitness. O’Rourke
has contributed to five books with
colleagues in the fitness sector and
written numerous articles and re-
ports. He also has been interviewed
for the Wall Street Journal, New York
Times, Inc. Magazine, Entrepreneur
Magazine and others. In addition, he
has delivered keynotes at industry
conferences and events on four con-
tinents. Learn more about O’Rourke
at https://www.bryankorourke.com
or connect with and follow him
on most social networks
@bryankorourke.

5. The Journal on Active Aging/Special technology issue 2018 www.icaa.cc52
‘New era’solutions:Emerging technologies to improve
quality of life Continued from page 51
is largely managed after later stage di-
agnosis. Data clouds about patients and
computer-aided diagnostics will enable
researchers and clinicians to pinpoint
the earliest sign of cognitive decline,
which can happen anywhere from 4 to
10 years prior to today’s diagnoses. From
there, scientists can divide Alzheimer’s
into subtypes and use individuals with
high genetic risk to track cognitive tran-
sitions. Big data will equip people with
the information and tools to modify
habits—be they diet, exercise or sleep—
or their genes to optimize personal
health.
People’s health is already being impacted
through the use of genomic medicine.
This will be a huge area of change in the
next decade. It is widely believed that
in 10 years, genomes will cost less than
USD$100 a piece and will take 15 min-
utes. Innovative companies like Ama-
zon, which employs a secretive group
called Grand Challenge,5
are working on
a series of bold projects involving cancer
research, medical records and last-mile
delivery of care, which will contribute
even greater transformations using big
data to make healthcare more intelligent
or “smart.”
CM: Do you have examples of implemen-
tation and success?
BO: Numerous examples exist. One is
Express Scripts, which processes phar-
maceutical claims. The company real-
ized that those who most need to take
their medications were also those most
likely to forget to take them. So, Express
Scripts created a new solution by using
data and machines (e.g., beeping medi-
cine caps) as well as automated phone
calls reminding patients when it’s time
to take the next dose.
Earlier this year, Apple introduced a sig-
nificant update to its Health app, debut-
ing a feature for customers to see their
medical records right on their iPhones.
The updated “Health Records” section
within the Health app brings together
13 healthcare systems and the existing
app to make it easy for consumers to see
their available medical data from mul-
tiple providers whenever they choose.
Johns Hopkins Medicine, Cedars-Sinai,
Penn Medicine [University of Pennsyl-
vania Health System] and other partici-
pating hospitals and clinics are among
the first to make this beta feature avail-
able to their patients.
CM: What are the challenges and oppor-
tunities with smart technology?
BO: As with all new technologies, there
will be gaps between their promise
and what happens in their initial intro-
ductions. From the advent of commer-
cial jet aircraft wherein several initial
crashes stymied progress, to the recent
and unfortunate mishaps with automat-
ed vehicles resulting in loss of life, these
near-term challenges will result in many
who will bemoan the “success” of these
solutions.
With respect to older adults, there will
likely be medical misdiagnosis from AI
and data solutions that, in theory, a hu-
man would not have missed. Adoption
of technologies tends to take longer for
older adults, as recent Pew Research has
indicated. However, this lag of adop-
tion from younger to older is starting to
fade. I believe that as interfaces become
easier and more intuitive to use, and
technology become more like the air we
breathe, the new paradigm will increas-
ingly be the ability to benefit from these
technologies without realizing they are
there.
Colin Milner is founder and CEO of the
International Council on Active Aging®.
A leading authority on the health and
well-being of the older adult, Milner has
been recognized by the World Economic
Forum as one of “the most innovative and
influential minds” in the world on aging-
Continued on page 54
Among his roles, Bryan O’Rourke is chief strategic officer for Gold’s Gym Houston, a chain
of six fitness clubs in Texas that, (l to r), O’Rourke owns with partners Bryan and Kristi
Murphy. Image courtesy of Bryan K. O’Rourke

6. The Journal on Active Aging/Special technology issue 2018 www.icaa.cc54
related topics. The award-winning writer
has more than 300 articles to his credit; he
has also shared his perspectives with me-
dia outlets such as CNN, BBC, Newsweek
and Wall Street Journal. Milner’s inspir-
ing and insightful speeches have stimulat-
ed thousands of business and government
leaders, industry professionals and older
adults worldwide.
References
1. Oxford Economics. (2016, September).
The Longevity Economy: How People
Over 50 Are Driving Economic and Social
Value in the US. Washington, DC: AARP
Research. https://www.aarp.org/content/
dam/aarp/research/surveys_statistics/
econ/2017/2016-natl-longevity-economy.
doi.10.26419%252Fres.00172.001.pdf
2. Consumer Technology Association. (2016,
March). CTA Market Report: Active Aging.
https://www.cta.tech/News/Press-Releases/
2016/March/Active-Aging-Tech-Can-Help-
85-Million-Americans,-S.aspx
3. Matcher, E. (2016, July 7). Wired founder Kevin
Kelly on the technologies that will dominate
the future. Smithsonian Magazine. https://
www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/wired-
founder-kevin-kelly-on-technologies-that-will-
dominate-our-future-180959708
4. Ogilvy, J. (2017, March 30). The future ac-
cording to ‘Wired’ editor Kevin Kelly. Global
Affairs. Forbes.com [originally published at
Stratfor.com]. https://www.forbes.com/sites/
stratfor/2017/03/30/the-future-according-to-
kevin-kelly/#37fc58b476bf
5. Kim, E. (2018, June 5). Inside Amazon’s Grand
Challenge—a secretive lab working on cancer
research and other ventures. CNBC. https://
www.cnbc.com/2018/06/05/amazon-grand-
challenge-moonshot-lab-google-glass-creator-
babak-parviz.html
Reso u rces
Internet
Bryan K. O’Rourke, MBA
https://www.bryankorourke.com
Fitness Industry Technology
Council
http://www.fittechcouncil.org
Internet–tech products and services
Amazon Alexa
https://developer.amazon.com/alexa
Apple Health
https://www.apple.com/ios/health
Apple Siri
https://www.apple.com/ios/siri
Apple Watch
https://www.apple.com/ca/watch
Doctor On Demand
https://www.doctorondemand.com
Express Scripts
https://www.express-scripts.com
Google Assistant
https://assistant.google.com
LifeBEAM’s Vi Sense AI
personal trainer
https://vitrainer.com
MagicLeap One
https://www.magicleap.com
Noom
https://www.noom.com
Oculus Go
https://www.oculus.com/go
Pepper
https://www.softbankrobotics.com/
emea/en/robots/pepper
Pokemon Go
https://www.pokemongo.com
Replika
https://replika.ai
Temi
https://www.robotemi.com
Woebot
https://woebot.io
Multimedia
Bidwell, M. (2016, June 14). “Kevin
Kelly–The Formula for the Next
10,000 Startups, Failing Forward,
And Becoming A Teaching
Organisation.” In: How AI Will
Shape the Future of Organisations,
Season 1, Episode 18. The Innovation
Ecosystem Podcast. Available at
http://innovationecosystem.com/
how-ai-technology-will-shape-
future-organizations
Print
Kelly, K. (2016). The Inevitable.
Understanding the 12 Technological
Forces that Will Shape Our Future.
New York, NY: Viking, an imprint
of Penguin Random House, LLC
Ogilvy, J. (2017, March 30).
The future according to ‘Wired’
editor Kevin Kelly. Global
Affairs. Forbes.com [originally
published at Stratfor.com].
Available at https://www.forbes.
com/sites/stratfor/2017/03/30/
the-future-according-to-kevin-
kelly/#37fc58b476bf
‘New era’solutions:Emerging technologies to improve
quality of life Continued from page 52