Academic Journal
At the Crossroads of Data Justice and Data Capitalism: How Generative AI in Healthcare Mobilises Its Assemblages.
| Title: | At the Crossroads of Data Justice and Data Capitalism: How Generative AI in Healthcare Mobilises Its Assemblages. |
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| Authors: | Gross N; National College of Ireland, School of Business and Social Sciences, Dublin, Ireland., Geiger S; College of Business, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. |
| Source: | Sociology of health & illness [Sociol Health Illn] 2026 Feb; Vol. 48 (2), pp. e70150. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Blackwell Publishing Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 8205036 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1467-9566 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 01419889 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Sociol Health Illn Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: <2003->: Oxford ; Malden, MA : Blackwell Publishing Original Publication: Henley-on-Thames ; Boston, Mass. : Routledge & Kegan Paul |
| MeSH Terms: | Delivery of Health Care*/organization & administration , Generative Artificial Intelligence* , Social Justice* , Capitalism* , Artificial Intelligence*, Humans |
| Abstract: | Algorithmic technologies such as machine learning, generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and automated decision-making have become one of the frontiers of contemporary technoscientific innovation in healthcare. However, algorithmic technologies can never be seen in isolation from the networks in which they are embedded. Not only are they woven into situated sociotechnical assemblages of human and nonhuman entities-tools, objects and other technologies-but their entanglements also reach into regulatory institutions and markets. This paper conceptualises GenAI in healthcare 'in the making' at the rapidly changing intersection of three spheres: regulatory, market and healthcare delivery. Our study, conducted in conjunction with two nongovernmental social justice organisations, explores how this intersection is currently 'motored' by data justice concerns on the one hand and data capitalist objectives on the other. We draw health sociologists' attention to the technopolitics and market interests that lie behind AI promissories and implementations in healthcare. More importantly, we contribute to collective thinking around how we may steer this dynamic towards the empowerment of civic society, dynamic regulation and a push for public value-rather than enrichment of the few. (© 2026 The Author(s). Sociology of Health & Illness published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Foundation for the Sociology of Health & Illness.) |
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| Grant Information: | NF/2023/1782 Irish Research Council |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: data capitalism; data justice; generative AI; healthcare; markets; sociotechnical assemblages |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260130 Date Completed: 20260701 Latest Revision: 20260701 |
| Update Code: | 20260701 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC12856386 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/1467-9566.70150 |
| PMID: | 41612854 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1467-9566 |
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| DOI: | 10.1111/1467-9566.70150 |