What we covered in our chat
In this episode of the Well Workplaces podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Ariella Heffernan-Marks about a topic that is both timely and transformative - the future of women’s health and AI. During this conversation, Ariella shared how artificial intelligence is reshaping healthcare, particularly for women, by closing long-standing data gaps, enhancing personalised care, and offering new possibilities for workplace wellbeing. We also explored the ethical considerations of AI and what businesses can do to support more inclusive health strategies for their teams.
Bridging the data gap in Women’s Health
We started by discussing a critical issue: the long-standing data gap in women’s health. Ariella explained how medical research has historically focused on male bodies, often overlooking the unique biological and hormonal factors affecting women. This has led to misdiagnoses, delayed treatments, and a general lack of understanding of conditions like endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and menopause. AI, however, offers a way forward. By processing vast amounts of data quickly and spotting patterns that humans might miss, AI has the potential to close this gender health gap — but only if the data sets used are inclusive and diverse.
How AI is enhancing diagnosis and personalised care
Ariella highlighted some of the most exciting AI innovations already making an impact. From apps that track menstrual cycles and predict fertility windows to AI tools assisting doctors in diagnosing breast cancer earlier and more accurately, technology is helping shift women’s healthcare from reactive to proactive. One key takeaway was the idea of personalised medicine — using AI to tailor treatments to an individual’s genetic makeup, lifestyle, and health history. This means women could receive more precise care for complex conditions like autoimmune diseases or mental health disorders, which often present differently in women than in men.
The ethical considerations of AI in healthcare
Of course, we couldn’t talk about AI without addressing the ethical concerns. Ariella pointed out the risks of bias in AI algorithms — if the data used to train these systems isn’t representative, AI can end up reinforcing existing inequalities. Transparency, rigorous testing, and involving women in tech development are all essential to ensuring AI works for everyone.
What this means for workplaces
Finally, we brought it back to the workplace. With AI-driven health tools becoming more accessible, businesses have an opportunity to support their teams — especially women — by offering personalised health programs and leveraging AI insights for more inclusive wellbeing strategies. It was a fascinating discussion about the intersection of technology, healthcare, and workplace wellbeing.
If you’re curious about how AI is reshaping women’s health — and what this means for the future of workplace support — this episode is well worth a listen.
Written by Tom Bosna
March 2025