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Dexcom Introduces AI-Powered Reports for Stelo Glucose Monitor, Offering Personalized Insights

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Dexcom has launched a new artificial intelligence feature for its Stelo continuous glucose monitor (CGM), giving users a more personalized view of how their meals, sleep, and activities affect their glucose levels. This AI-driven addition, which debuted on Tuesday, is part of Dexcom’s broader efforts to enhance user engagement and provide deeper insights into glucose management.

Stelo, an over-the-counter CGM that monitors real-time blood sugar levels by inserting a small sensor under the skin, was first introduced in August. Unlike traditional CGMs, Stelo is designed for adults who do not take insulin, opening up a new consumer market for the company. This latest feature aims to make Stelo more valuable and personalized for everyday users, with Dexcom focusing on enhancing its capabilities for a broader audience.

Jake Leach, Dexcom’s chief operating officer, emphasized that user feedback had driven the company’s decision to integrate more advanced AI features. “The No. 1 feedback we get is users want to see more,” Leach explained in an interview with CNBC. “They’re making an investment and wearing the product, and they want to be able to take the most advantage of all the data that they’re generating.” The new AI-generated reports reflect this need for deeper, actionable insights.

Dexcom is leveraging Google Cloud’s Vertex AI platform and its Gemini models to build the new AI features. These tools enable developers to synthesize diverse data types, a complex task in healthcare. The company is proceeding cautiously, ensuring the AI platform adds value without compromising the reliability of its core CGM products, which are essential for managing serious health conditions.

While Stelo users have always had access to weekly insights reports, these reports were traditionally formatted in a standard template. The new AI-powered version promises to offer a more personalized experience, drawing on individual user data to provide tailored feedback. For example, if a user’s activity level is low after meals, the report will include specific recommendations to help improve glucose management.

It is important to note that while the AI feature offers personalized insights, it does not provide medical advice. Dexcom has developed the feature with guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) AI framework. The FDA approved Stelo for use in March, and the company is now looking at expanding the use of generative AI across its other CGM products.

Looking forward, Dexcom plans to evolve its AI capabilities to provide real-time feedback rather than just weekly summaries. The company also envisions using the AI platform to predict potential issues before they arise, much like a “check engine light” in a car, providing early warnings and suggestions for further consultation with healthcare providers.

Chris Sakalosky, vice president of strategic industries at Google Cloud, noted the potential for the technology to offer predictive insights. “It gives you a sense for what could be going on, and recommendations of where you might want to go to seek more advice,” Sakalosky said.

The updated AI-powered reports are already rolling out to Stelo users this week, marking an important step in Dexcom’s mission to make glucose monitoring more intuitive and informative for consumers.

 

Oura Plans International Expansion and New Features as Smart Ring Market Heats Up

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Oura, a pioneer in the smart ring market, is accelerating its international expansion and enhancing its features, positioning itself as a leader in health-focused wearable technology. CEO Tom Hale believes the company’s focus on health and scientific rigor distinguishes it in an increasingly competitive field, where even tech giants like Samsung are now entering the market with products like the Galaxy Ring.

Oura’s flagship product, the Oura Ring 4, is packed with health-tracking sensors, providing insights into users’ sleep quality, daily readiness, and physical activity levels. Founded in Finland in 2013, Oura has established itself as a key player in the smart ring market, selling over 2.5 million units and currently holding an estimated 49% market share, according to CCS Insight.

Hale sees the entry of major tech brands as an endorsement of the smart ring’s potential. He notes that rather than negatively impacting Oura, the increased awareness has actually strengthened its business. In an interview at the Web Summit in Lisbon, Hale detailed Oura’s plans to extend its international presence, particularly in Western Europe. Countries like the U.K., Germany, France, and Italy are high on Oura’s list for expansion, driven by growing interest in the unique benefits of smart rings.

Oura’s dedication to health-focused innovation is evident in its ongoing effort to receive U.S. FDA approval for diagnostic use of its ring, though Hale refrains from providing specific details. The company emphasizes user privacy as central to its mission, distinguishing itself from traditional tech companies that treat data as a business asset. “Our approach to data privacy is unique because we see ourselves as a healthcare company,” Hale explains.

Oura’s subscription model supports its service-based approach, with nearly 2 million users paying $5.99 monthly for insights provided through the Oura app. According to Hale, this model gives Oura the profile of a software company despite its core hardware product, proving effective as subscribers continue to see value in the insights provided.

The company’s next frontier is nutrition tracking, an addition Hale says will form a new pillar of user health insights. Recently, Oura acquired Veri, a metabolic health startup that uses continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to analyze blood sugar levels. Together with Oura’s meal-tracking feature, this integration can show users how specific meals impact glucose levels, helping them make informed dietary choices.

However, Hale is cautious about predicting the development of non-invasive glucose monitoring technology, often considered a “holy grail” in wearable tech. He acknowledges it as a complex challenge that may remain unsolved for the foreseeable future, though he remains open to future advances.

Oura is also exploring artificial intelligence to deliver more personalized insights to users. The company is testing “Oura Advisor,” an AI-powered virtual assistant designed to act as a “doctor in your pocket,” delivering tailored health recommendations based on users’ data.

Looking to the future, Hale hints at Oura’s plans to introduce new hardware products, expanding beyond rings. Although he did not reveal specific details, this move aligns with Oura’s strategy to cement itself as a holistic health brand. Additionally, Hale hints that Oura may consider partnerships with other devices, even those not directly under its brand, to expand its health ecosystem.

While an initial public offering (IPO) could be on the distant horizon, Hale emphasizes that remaining private currently offers Oura greater operational freedom. This flexibility allows the company to prioritize long-term goals, even if it means taking on risks that may not immediately generate profit.

As Oura continues to push the boundaries of wearable health technology, its health-centric approach and international expansion strategy underscore its commitment to establishing smart rings as essential health-tracking tools in global markets.