Beyond the algorithm: citizens professionals dialogue on the use of generative AI in healthcare.

ABSTRACT: 

Generative artificial intelligence (GAI) offers new opportunities to improve healthcare efficiency and quality, yet its adoption raises ethical and societal questions. Questions about transparency, equitability, accountability, data privacy, and the impact on professionalpatient relationships from both healthcare professionals as well as citizens and patients need to be addressed and discussed. 

This study aims to facilitate dialogue between Dutch citizens and various healthcare professionals on the desirability and responsible use of GAI in healthcare. Using a structured qualitative dialogue session which will take place on November 7th 2025, the study explores how both groups perceive the benefits, risks, and conditions for the responsible implementation of GAI. A total of approximately 20 participants will be included-10 citizens and 10 healthcare professionals and the dialogue meeting will last for approximately four hours. The program will combine short expert presentations, small-group and individual reflection exercises and discussions. Presentations will introduce participants to the concept of GAI, ethical and legal implications, and examples of its application in healthcare. Experts include a representative from the Dutch Ministry of Health, GAI developers and researchers. The dialogue session is expected to yield a nuanced understanding of how citizens and healthcare professionals perceive the role of GAI in healthcare. Rather than seeking a unified view, the study aims to capture the diversity of opinions and underlying reasoning. 

Anticipated outcomes include: identification of key themes regarding benefits, risks, and ethical boundaries of using GAI in healthcare; insights into areas of convergence and divergence between citizens and professionals; practical recommendations for policymakers on facilitating responsible adoption of GAI and enhanced public and professional awareness of societal implications of AI technologies. Ultimately, fostering open dialogue about GAI can strengthen trust and accountability in the digital transformation of healthcare. It provides an opportunity to talk, share and learn from each other in a constructive way. Understanding what citizens and professionals find desirable-or unacceptable-will be essential to ensure that generative AI serves human well-being rather than merely technological progress.