The synthetic Turn in healthcare AI: Promise and Peril

Artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly improved diagnostics and clinical care, enhancing operational efficiencies within the healthcare sector. However, the sector is facing a growing concern over the depletion of high-quality human-generated data for model training. This is prompting a shift toward the use of synthetic data. This article explores the implications of this transition in healthcare, discussing both its challenges and opportunities. The relationship between human-generated and synthetic data is complementary, with each providing unique affordances to address gaps in representation, generalizability, and scalability. Further research and open dialogue are crucial for navigating this complex landscape and ensuring that AI serves the best interests of patients and society.