Tech Giants and Medical Research: Navigating the Power of Apple's ResearchKit

In recent years, massive tech corporations have been sparking innovation in the world of medical research with new initiatives. One standout example is Apple's ResearchKit, launched in 2015. This tool lets medical researchers build apps on the iPhone that gather various types of data for research. But this isn't without risks, as seen through the "sphere transgressions" theory (Sharon, 2021a; 2021b). This theory highlights the possibility that these tech giants could shape medical research to fit their own agendas. However, viewing this as just a one-way street where big tech takes over might be too simplistic.

Instead of being passive, medical researchers interact with these initiatives in many ways. Interviews with researchers in the Netherlands and the US using Apple's ResearchKit show that they don't just accept or resist the changes. They adapt and use a variety of strategies, dubbed "tactics" (de Certeau, 1984), to make the most of what's offered. This paper argues that recognizing these tactics can better identify the needs and interests crucial for researchers and the field of medical research overall. By doing so, we can bolster the sector and foster responsible innovation.

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