Great stories often have intricate endings. However, they can still offer straightforward and instructive lessons. Christopher Nolan's masterpiece, "Oppenheimer, " showcases the tragic tale of the "father of the atomic bomb. " Yet, it also sheds light on how the United States missed an opportunity to be a global leader in a groundbreaking innovation that shaped the 20th century. As we enter a century defined by transformative technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), J. Robert Oppenheimer's story imparts valuable insights for healthcare leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers. Oppenheimer's era was dominated by the race for nuclear power, while ours is characterized by the competition in AI technology. Both these technologies possess immense power to alter humanity's path. Sadly, similar to Oppenheimer's time, political players today seem disconnected from the nuances of science, either ignorant or politicizing it while shaping national policies around innovation. This type of politicking makes it increasingly challenging to engage in constructive conversations about the future of healthcare innovation. We already witness this phenomenon unfolding with the spread of misinformation about mRNA technology and the unwarranted harassment faced by scientists. Meanwhile, several healthcare companies have already incorporated ChatGPT, an AI-powered chatbot developed by OpenAI, into their operations. However, we are yet to fully comprehend the consequences of integrating these massive language models into healthcare functions. Surprisingly, ongoing conversations regarding AI policymaking and regulation primarily involve technology industry leaders, neglecting the valuable expertise of healthcare industry leaders who possess unique insights into applying AI in health and medicine. This situation reminded me of a powerful scene in the movie "Oppenheimer, " in which the titular scientist tries to warn President Truman about the dangers of nuclear power, only to have his concerns dismissed. The increasing media attention on rapid technological advancements and concerns about consumer data usage puts pressure on legislators to take action. Senators Lindsey Graham and Elizabeth Warren recently acknowledged that Congress lacks tech expertise and highlighted the importance of establishing a bipartisan regulatory agency through the Digital Consumer Protection Commission Act. However, this proposed idea primarily focuses on large-scale tech companies, missing the point of why these protections are necessary for AI applications and initiatives in healthcare. Research studies continually emphasize how machine learning-based tools can lead to inappropriate healthcare decisions. It is crucial to address these issues and avoid negative consequences for underserved patients. Oppenheimer's story also illustrates the disconnect between the goals of science, such as transparency, collaboration, and truth-seeking, and political goals that constantly change.

Understanding this is particularly urgent as the public is continuously learning about how AI will reshape various industries, including healthcare. Lack of clarity on the impact of these changes on patient care can foster fear and mistrust, hindering innovation. Healthcare leaders utilizing these technologies in digital applications can act as science communicators by providing dedicated sections in their communication materials outlining what patients can expect from the technology. Moreover, our digital innovation efforts must prioritize closing gaps in healthcare disparities and take measures to prevent further marginalization of vulnerable populations. Oppenheimer's story is a reminder of the suffering experienced by Hispanic and Native American communities in New Mexico during the time of the Trinity Test. Recent studies already demonstrate how digital algorithms used in healthcare decision-making can exacerbate inequities. Healthcare technology entrepreneurs and policymakers must ensure the implementation of necessary bias mitigation strategies, including employing representative datasets for building digital applications, to prevent adverse outcomes for underserved patients. This approach is also instrumental in building trust within the digital health sector. We find ourselves at a crucial turning point in the application of these technologies in healthcare, not unlike Oppenheimer's time with atomic power. Political and scientific leaders back then did not fully grasp the far-reaching implications of nuclear innovations. Similarly, we are now engaged in a conversation riddled with uncertainty. Some leaders in the tech industry advocate for pausing further research and development of generative AI. However, this approach puts the United States at a global competitive disadvantage and fails to address the fundamental issues arising from integrating this technology into various applications. A more effective preventative strategy to mitigate potential harm would involve assembling the right stakeholders, developing frameworks to guide the direction of this incredible technology, and creating global data partnerships that establish standards for future tool utilization. By learning from historical misjudgments, we can garner the necessary wisdom for designing the future. Anyone seeking to innovate in AI for healthcare should watch "Oppenheimer" and take notes. Junaid Nabi, a physician and healthcare strategist, serves on the Working Group on Regulatory Considerations for Digital Health and Innovation at the World Health Organization. He is also a New Voices Senior Fellow at the Aspen Institute and a Millennium Fellow at the Atlantic Council.