Google (NASDAQ: GOOGL) announced that it started a partnership with the healthcare giant Ascension.
Ascension
Ascension is the second largest healthcare provider in the United States.
Google gets access to the healthcare information of millions of people through its partnership with Ascension.
Furthermore, Ascension allows Google to access its data including patient names, patient ages, doctor diagnoses, hospitalisation records and lab results.
Moreover, Google receives the complete health history of Ascension customers.
Healthcare & Technology
Google’s decision to partner with a healthcare provider reflects a new trend.
More and more technology companies expand their reach to the healthcare industry.
Accessing healthcare data allows technology companies to manipulate data in order to increase profits by targeting customers.
Privacy Concerns
Google’s partnership with Ascension raises concerns regarding data privacy.
Most patients consider information regarding their health private.
Consequently, users indicate that they fear for their privacy.
Increasing fear of data privacy impact consumer behavior. Users raised concerns that they might stop using certain Google product and services.
Alphabet officially announced the partnership between Google and Ascension on Monday.
As a result, Ascension is now Google’s biggest customer in healthcare.
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Technology giants increasingly invest in developing artificial intelligence and machine learning systems that maximize efficiency and profit.
Companies such as Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Snapchat (NYSE: SNAP) and Twitter (NYSE: TWTR).
Following the trend, Google is highly invested in the development of artificial intelligence technology.
Subsequently, Google is constantly looking for new ways to improve its artificial intelligence and machine learning systems.
For instance, Google’s partnership with Ascension creates new opportunities for artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Ascension hopes to explore whether artificial intelligence and machine learning can improve the effectiveness of medical systems as well as customer service.
Fitbit
Google has been increasing its involvement in the healthcare sector. Earlier this month, Google bought Fitbit (NYSE: FIT).
Fitbit is a fitness tracker that evaluates the health and wellbeing of its users.
Google has the opportunity to use data it accesses through Ascension to improve its Fitbit technology.
On the other hand, users of Fitbit raised concerns regarding Apple’s partnership with Ascension.
Through its partnership with Ascension, Google can access healthcare data of Fitbit users without their permission.
Google’s decision to partner with Ascension is a part of Google’s general strategy to get more involved in the healthcare sector.