Toward the Clinic: Understanding Patient Perspectives on AI and Data-Sharing for AI-Driven Oncology Drug Development

The increasing application of AI-led systems for oncology drug development and patient care holds the potential to usher pronounced impacts for patients’ well-being. Beyond technical innovations and infrastructural adjustments, research suggests that realizing this potential also hinges upon patients’ trust and understanding. With the promise of precision oncology predicated on a data-driven approach, public and private survey studies indicate patients view the lack of clarity surrounding data privacy, security, and ownership as a growing concern. Assuming an in-depth, semi-structured interview protocol, this qualitative study examines cancer patients’ perceptions of the burgeoning development of AI-led systems for oncology as well as their perspectives on sharing health data (including genetic data) for drug development. This article seeks to provide greater insight into the legal and ethical challenges that surround the application of these tools and to explore patient-centered approaches to building the frameworks of trust and accountability crucial to transferring these advances to the clinic.