Can AI Help Us Sleep Better? New Research Suggests It Can

Years of research into the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in sleep medicine have begun to yield genuinely useful applications for patients with insomnia, sleep-related breathing disorders, hypersomnolence (excessive daytime sleepiness), and parasomnias (undesirable behaviors during sleep, such as sleepwalking).

Published in Respiratory Medicine, these findings demonstrate the potential of AI to address one of the most common yet often overlooked health concerns.

How AI can improve sleep care

One of the most promising applications involves the analysis of polysomnography and electroencephalography data. Because AI systems are designed to process large amounts of information, electrocardiogram and photoplethysmography data may also provide valuable insights. Even relatively simple tools, such as pulse oximetry, can generate clinically meaningful information about sleep quality.

AI also supports personalized medicine by integrating and analyzing large volumes of patient data to generate individualized recommendations. Beyond physiologic measurements, relevant factors may include smoking history, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), body mass index (BMI), and the use of hypnotic medications.

AI is also likely to influence sleep medicine through its ability to assess the severity and nature of sleep disorders. For example, AI systems may help determine the severity of insomnia based on available clinical evidence, helping ensure that treatment strategies are tailored to each patient's circumstances. AI may also detect subtle patterns that clinicians could overlook, pointing toward interventions such as digital behavioral therapies.

AI may further assist with dose calculations and therapeutic drug monitoring. If successfully integrated into clinical workflows, it could help physicians make more informed decisions, reduce administrative burdens, and improve patient monitoring.

“AI applications in sleep medicine present both great potential and challenges,” the study concluded. “The role of AI in sleep medicine should be to support, rather than replace, the clinical decision-making and care provided by the sleep medicine team.”

The significance of these findings lies in their demonstration that AI is moving beyond its early, rudimentary applications and beginning to provide measurable clinical value. Even sleep medicine, an area that is often overlooked, may substantially benefit from the thoughtful integration of AI into clinical practice.

Reference

Kouri I, Konstantinopoulou S. Artificial intelligence and sleep medicine. Respir Med. 2026;254:108652. doi:10.1016/j.rmed.2026.108652