AI in Healthcare: Can Technology Help Us Live Better? | Emily Paulsen & Dr. Koen Kas
We’re so used to thinking about health in terms of problems, symptoms, appointments, test results, that we rarely stop to ask a more powerful question: What if being well could actually feel good? In this week’s episode of Curious Life of a Childfree Woman, I spoke with Dr. Koen Kas, a healthcare futurist, molecular oncologist, and author of EPIC, about how AI and wearable technology could radically reshape the way we experience care, not just when we’re sick, but every single day.
Dr. Kas doesn’t just imagine a different kind of healthcare system, he’s actively helping build one. And it doesn’t start with diagnosis or pills. It starts with curiosity, joy, purpose, and the belief that feeling well should be the default, not the exception. From AI tools that detect Parkinson’s years before symptoms appear, to smart rings and apps that track emotional well-being, Dr. Kas explains how we’re entering a new era of “delight thinking”, one where your health isn’t measured only in numbers, but in the quality of your life.
Health Isn’t Just Physical, It’s Personal
One of the most surprising things about our conversation was how emotional the future of healthcare might be. Dr. Kas shares how he helped his father take medication by using a speaker programmed with his own voice. That moment stayed with me, not because it was cutting-edge tech, but because it was so deeply human. This is the kind of care we’re talking about: tools that don’t replace people, but help us show up as people, with more empathy, energy, and ease.
We also talked about why “healthspan” matters more than lifespan. It’s not just about living longer, it’s about feeling clear, connected, and capable for as much of our life as possible. Dr. Kas believes that when we center things like purpose, creativity, and even delight in how we care for ourselves, we don’t just avoid disease, we unlock potential. And that shift could help each of us live not just longer, but fuller.
Curious About the Future of Health? Start Here.
If this episode stirred something in you, a desire to connect, contribute, or feel more grounded in your values, try one of these steps this week:
If this episode sparked something in you, whether it's a frustration with traditional healthcare or a hunger to feel more in tune with your body, here are a few ways to take that curiosity further this week:
Ask yourself what feeling well really looks like for you: Is it better sleep? More energy? Less brain fog? Naming it is the first step to claiming it.
Explore one health tech tool that intrigues you: A wearable ring, a mindfulness app, a food tracker, just try it with curiosity, not pressure.
Pay attention to what delights you: Dr. Kas believes delight is measurable, and meaningful. Notice what lifts your energy and makes you feel more alive.
Rethink what care could mean: Instead of waiting for something to go wrong, what would it look like to support your well-being today?
Find your version of purpose: Whether it’s a passion project, a creative pursuit, or a sense of contribution, purpose adds years to our lives and life to our years.
Let’s Stay Curious Together
This episode reminded me that health isn’t just a system, it’s a relationship. With our bodies. With our minds. With the tools we use and the people we trust. And that relationship can be reimagined into something more empowering, more intuitive, and more aligned with how we actually want to live.
You can listen to the full conversation with Dr. Koen Kas on Curious Life of a Childfree Woman wherever you get your podcasts.
And I’d love to hear your thoughts, what’s one part of your health or wellness you’re ready to explore more deeply?
Come share with me on Instagram @curiouslifeofachildfreewoman Let’s stay curious together.
