Ministers mull allowing private firms to make profit from NHS data in AI push

Anonymised data could help develop treatments, drugs and diagnostic tools but potential misuse worries experts

• What does AI plan mean for NHS patient data and is there cause for concern?

Ministers are considering allowing private companies to make profits from NHS data as part of a push to revolutionise the health service using artificial intelligence, government officials have indicated.

Keir Starmer on Monday announced a push to open up the government to AI innovation, including allowing companies to use anonymised patient data to develop new treatments, drugs and diagnostic tools.