IBM Watson said it will provide free storage to nonprofit organizations and academic medical center researchers using Apple’s ResearchKit. But developers looking to tap into the supercomputer's analytics will have to pay.

The idea is to enable study participants to upload data via Apple iOS apps such that research teams can essentially store, crowdsource and aggregate that information in what IBM described as a HIPAA-compliant cloud platform that safeguards protected health information.

So long as the project is IRB-approved, in fact, IBM will host up to one terabyte of data for as long as three years. 

[Also: AI, cognitive computing, machine learning coming to healthcare: Time to invest?]

Also part of IBM's pitch is that the uploaded data, written to IBM Watson Health Core, will be "validated for pattern integrity when written, stored, and read," according to the company’s website.

And that is IBM's segue into Watson's analytics that researchers can use to spot trends in the data and glean insights — at an additional price, of course.

IBM did not state how much the analytics will cost; instead Big Blue said they are available on a custom-tailored basis so interested developers will have to contact the vendor directly to find out pricing details.  

Twitter: SullyHIT
Email the writer: tom.sullivan@himssmedia.com

Like Healthcare IT News on Facebook and LinkedIn