MAM
Scoping review of traditional exercise in AI age
Mumbai: The integration of traditional exercise practices with advancements in artificial intelligence presents both challenges and opportunities. The dawn of the artificial intelligence age has undeniably reshaped numerous aspects of human life. While our reliance on technology has brought forth undeniable benefits, concerns regarding a decline in physical activity levels are rising. AI technologies offer innovative ways to enhance fitness routines, and traditional forms of exercise remain foundational for physical well-being.
The proliferation of AI-driven fitness apps, wearable devices, and virtual trainers has revolutionized the way individuals engage with exercise. These technologies offer personalized workout plans, real-time feedback, and data-driven insights, enticing users with promises of efficiency and effectiveness.
Values of traditional exercise
Traditional exercise, encompassing activities like running, swimming, and weightlifting, remains a cornerstone of physical and mental well-being. Traditional sports have been an integral part of human culture for centuries. It demonstrably improves cardiovascular health, reduces the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity, and enhances cognitive function. There are beneficial effects for mental health as well as physical health when it comes to exercise. It improves sleep, and stress relief, improves mood, increases energy and stamina, reduces tiredness, and can increase mental alertness.
AI as a role of potential enabler
Personalised training: AI-powered applications can analyze individual fitness data, movement patterns, and goals to create customized workout plans.
Virtual coaching and feedback: AI-powered virtual coaches can provide real-time feedback on form and technique, similar to a personal trainer, but at a lower cost and with greater accessibility.
Gamification and motivation: AI can integrate gamification elements into exercise routines, using rewards, badges, and leaderboards to increase motivation and adherence.
Wearable tech integration: Advancements in wearable technology, coupled with AI, can provide deeper insights into exercise performance.
Data privacy concerns: The use of AI in exercise requires careful data collection and management practices. Users should be informed about how their data is used and have control over its dissemination.
Challenges and opportunities
Overdependence on technology: Overreliance on AI-driven exercise programs could lead to a decline in intrinsic motivation and a disconnect from the natural joy of movement.
Accessibility and equity: Not everyone has access to sophisticated AI-powered equipment or high-speed internet required for some applications.
Data privacy concerns: The use of AI in exercise requires careful data collection and management practices.
AI-enhanced exercise solutions provide convenience and customization, they also raise concerns regarding privacy, data security, and overreliance on technology. The accessibility of AI-powered fitness tools may exacerbate existing health disparities, as not everyone has equal access to such resources. Virtual reality platforms can simulate outdoor environments for activities like running or cycling, enhancing the immersive experience of traditional exercise.
Future research
The effectiveness of AI in promoting long-term adherence, managing chronic conditions, and improving mental health. Even in the AI age, traditional exercise remains fundamental for physical and mental well-being.
The coexistence of traditional exercise and AI in the realm of fitness presents a dynamic landscape filled with both challenges and opportunities. While AI technologies offer innovative solutions for optimizing workouts, traditional exercise forms remain essential for promoting physical, mental, and emotional well-being. By utilizing AI’s potential as a tool for personalization, feedback, and motivation, we can usher in a future where exercise is more engaging, accessible, and effective for all.
The article has been authored by Gravolite director Paras Maheshwari.
Digital
Content India 2026 opens with a copro pitch, a spice evangelist and a £10,000 prize for Indian storytelling
Dish TV and C21Media’s three-day summit puts seven ambitious projects before an international jury, and two walk away with serious development money
MUMBAI: India’s content industry gathered in Mumbai this March for Content India 2026, a three-day summit organised by Dish TV in partnership with C21Media, and it wasted no time making a statement. The event opened with a Copro Pitch that put seven scripted and unscripted television concepts before an international panel of judges, and by the end of it, two projects had walked away with £10,000 each in marketing prize money from C21Media to support development and international promotion.
The jury, comprising Frank Spotnitz, Fiona Campbell, Rashmi Bajpai, Bal Samra and Rachel Glaister, evaluated a shortlist that ranged from a dark Mumbai comedy-drama about mental health (Dirty Minds, created by Sundar Aaron) to a Delhi coming-of-age mystery (Djinn Patrol, by Neha Sharma and Kilian Irwin), a techno-thriller about a teenage gaming prodigy (Kanpur X Satori, by Suchita Bhatia), an investigative crime drama blending mythology and modern thriller (The Age of Kali, by Shivani Bhatija), a documentary on India’s spice heritage (The Masala Quest, hosted by Sarina Kamini), a documentary on competitive gaming (Respawn: India’s Esports Revolution, by George Mangala Thomas and Sangram Mawari), and a reality-horror competition merging gaming and immersive fear (Scary Goose, by Samar Iqbal).
The session was hosted by Mayank Shekhar.
The two winners were Djinn Patrol, backed by Miura Kite, formerly of Participant Media and known for Chinatown and Keep Sweet: Pray & Obey, with Jaya Entertainment, producers of Real Kashmir Football Club, also attached; and The Masala Quest, created and hosted by Sarina Kamini, an Indian-Australian cook, author and self-described “spice evangelist.”
The summit also unveiled the Content India Trends Report, whose findings made for bracing reading. Daoud Jackson, senior analyst at OMDIA, set the tone: “By 2030, online video in India will nearly double the revenue of traditional TV, becoming the main driver of growth.” He noted that in 2025, India produced a quarter of all YouTube videos globally, overtaking the United States, while Indians collectively spend 117 years daily on YouTube and 72 years on Instagram. Traditional subscription TV is declining as free TV and connected TV gain ground, forcing broadcasters to innovate. “AI-generated content is just 2 per cent of engagement,” Jackson added, “highlighting the dominance of high-quality human content. The key for Indian media companies is scaling while monetising effectively from day one.”
Hannah Walsh, principal analyst at Ampere Analysis, added hard numbers to the picture. India produced over 24,000 titles in January 2026 alone, with 19,000 available internationally. The country now accounts for 12 per cent of Asia-Pacific content spend, up from 8 per cent in 2021, outpacing both Japan and China. Key exporters include JioStar, Zee Entertainment, Sony India, Amazon and Netflix, delivering over 7,500 Indian-produced titles abroad each year. The top importing markets are Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, the United States and the Philippines. Scripted content dominates globally at 88 per cent, with crime dramas and children’s and family titles performing particularly strongly.
Manoj Dobhal, chief executive and executive director of Dish TV India, framed the summit’s ambition squarely. “Stories don’t need translation. They need a platform, discovery, and reach, local or global,” he said. “India produces more movies than any country, our streaming platforms compete globally, and our tech and creators win international awards. Yet fragmentation slows growth. Producers, platforms, and tech move in different lanes. We need shared spaces, collaboration, and an ecosystem where ideas, technology, and people meet. That is why we built Content India.”
The data, the pitches and the prize money all pointed to the same conclusion: India is not waiting for the world to discover its stories. It is building the infrastructure to sell them.
