Abstract

The integration of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools into healthcare poses significant challenges concerning data privacy and governance. Drawing on the historical vignette of Henrietta Lacks, this perspective examines the implications of using generative AI in clinical settings. We discuss current health data governance practices and their potential limitations in the generative AI era. We propose a framework of proactive transparency to preserve patient autonomy without limiting technologic progress.

 

Citation: 

Azad, T.D., Warman, A., McGraw, D. et al. Lessons from Henrietta Lacks inform a transparency framework to catalyze generative artificial intelligence in medicine. npj Digit. Med. 8, 280 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-025-01656-5