Prof. Dr. Ellen Clayton is a leading expert in bioethics, law, and genomics, a professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) and holding multiple roles, including co-founder of the Center for Biomedical Ethics and Society. Her research focuses on the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of genomics, particularly in the areas of genetic privacy, identity, and the return of genomic results in clinical settings. She is a co-principal investigator for a Center of Excellence in ELSI Research on Genetic Privacy and Identity, and her work extends to the development of legal frameworks for genomics and the ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence and machine learning in healthcare. Prof. Dr. Clayton is also a member of the National Academy of Medicine and its Standing Committee on Reproductive Health, Equity, and Society.

In her presentation, From Genomics to AI, Prof. Clayton explored the transition from individual data control to inclusive governance in the U.S. healthcare system, addressing challenges with data privacy and consent within genomics and AI. She critiqued the limitations of current regulations, highlighting how consent requirements and regulatory loopholes can hinder inclusivity, especially for marginalized groups. Using lessons from genomics, it underscores the ethical complexity of AI, where biases in medical and demographic data can lead to inequities. In her presentation and research, she advocates for governance structures that balance individual and societal interests, stressing the need for patient-centered approaches in data governance to promote fairness, equity, and representation.