Co-intelligence: a proposal for human–artificial intelligence collaboration for large language models in medical research

Summary The emergence of large language models (LLMs) offers transformative potential for medical research. Current approaches often focus on LLMs as a replacement for researchers or as a supporting tool. In this Viewpoint, we discuss the concept of co-intelligence, leveraging the strengths of both humans and LLMs for complementary and synergistic collaboration to accelerate scientific advancement while mitigating limitations. We discuss the theoretical underpinnings of co-intelligence and advocate for its role in medical research. Through this Viewpoint, we also aim to highlight key considerations, discuss potential unintended consequences, and provide actionable insights for researchers and clinicians seeking to maximise the use of LLMs while maintaining the rigour and integrity of their work.