Researchers are exploring smarter insulin systems, ketone monitoring and digital twins to reduce the mental burden of type 1 diabetes, but uneven access could limit their impact.
Breakthrough T1D says new diabetes technologies and artificial intelligence could ease the daily strain of type 1 diabetes by making care more personalised and reducing the number of decisions people must make each day.
At the 2026 Breakthrough T1D Clinical & Research Congress, researchers, clinicians, healthcare professionals, industry leaders and people living with type 1 diabetes discussed how better monitoring tools, more connected devices and responsible use of AI could make management less demanding. The organisation said people with type 1 diabetes make an estimated 180 extra decisions a day compared with those without the condition, underlining why many experts are focused not only on better glucose control but also on reducing mental load and stress.
One area drawing attention is automated insulin delivery. Breakthrough T1D said researchers are working on systems that could go beyond today’s technology by handling more situations with less user input, using additional signals when appropriate and aiming for broader health outcomes rather than glucose readings alone. The organisation also highlighted the need for better ketone monitoring, particularly when glucose is high, during illness or if insulin delivery is interrupted, because rising ketones can be an early warning sign of diabetic ketoacidosis, a potentially serious complication.
Artificial intelligence was presented as a support tool rather than a replacement for human judgement. Breakthrough T1D said it could help identify patterns, assess risk and support more tailored care, while researchers are also looking at digital twins, computer models that simulate how a person might respond to different treatments. A systematic review indexed in PubMed says digital twin technology in type 1 diabetes remains limited in practice, but could help model disease more accurately and support personalised therapy. A separate study on the ReplayBG approach described how such models may be used to test treatment options in silico before they are tried in people.
Access, however, remains the central issue. Breakthrough T1D Canada said technology can only reduce the burden of type 1 diabetes if people can obtain it, afford it and receive the training and clinical support needed to use it well. The organisation pointed to uneven access across Canada, shaped by geography, differences in provincial coverage and varying availability of specialist diabetes care, and said it will continue to press for tools that are practical, effective and available to more people.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
