The Silent Partner: A Narrative Review of AI's Impact on Informed Consent.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into health care presents significant challenges for traditional informed consent practices. This review examines the legal and ethical implications of using AI in clinical decision-making, with a focus on maintaining transparency and respecting patient autonomy. While the legal framework for informed consent remains clear - requiring clinicians to provide sufficient information on material risks and likely outcomes - the complexity of AI introduces nuances that demand adaptation. Unlike surgical consent, where decisions are directly tied to human judgment, AI systems analyse vast datasets and identify patterns beyond human comprehension, complicating clinicians' ability to provide clear explanations. However, this does not necessitate a complete overhaul of informed consent but, rather, careful reassessment. Practical approaches include tiered consent protocols tailored to AI complexity and enhanced clinician education to bridge the communication gap. By addressing these challenges, informed consent can evolve to support ethical AI integration while preserving patient trust and decision-making.