The BBC has been told by the head of a US technology company that any sale of NHS data collected under a £500m contract would be left to the discretion of the government.
Alex Karp declared that, as a consequence of the configuration of Palantir's product, his firm would not have any access to the data.
Palantir is aiming to obtain a deal to supply AI software which will integrate NHS data to enhance services.
Science Secretary, Michelle Donelan, has made it clear to the BBC that without people's permission, their private data will not be sold.
In an interview with Laura Kuenssberg on the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme, Mr Karp claimed that patients' data would remain secure should Palantir bag the contract for the designed federated data platform.
He stated that they are the exclusive business of their capacity and range that does not purchase their customers' data, market it, or transfer it to any other entity.
The United Kingdom's government owns that data.
Mr Karp declared: "Because of the construction of our product, I am unable to access your data. Our product isn't built to permit that type of action."
Mr Karp was questioned if the information could be sold at a later time. He answered, "Not by me. The UK government would be the ones to handle that; I don't have the authority to."
Ms Donelan stated to the same programme in reply to Mr Karp's remarks: "We don't intend to infringe upon anyone's privacy or rights."
"We will not commence selling individuals' private information, naturally, not without their authorization," she articulated.
We are discussing here how we can use the data regarding the NHS to combat some of the worst diseases that people experience, so that they can have a healthier, longer, and more content life. We will make sure that patient's data is absolutely secure and absolutely safe."
Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting stated that Labour has no intention of selling off the data of NHS patients. Assuring patients that their data would be secure and protected, he added that Labour is unequivocal on this issue.
Rishi Sunak must today make a definite declaration that NHS patient information will not be offered to private enterprises.
Some have criticised Palantir for the way it has established a position in the UK health system, charging the National Health Service only £1 in 2020 to construct its Covid data storage.
However, Karp insisted that the company's actions were undertaken because he was of the opinion that the majority of software products are ineffective.
He commented that it gave them an advantage as people who did not appreciate it generally thought their product was ineffective and would have done the same if it was effective.
Mr Karp asserted that the Covid software has been instrumental in preserving "thousands upon thousands of lives" during the pandemic.
The remarks were made prior to an important conference concerning artificial intelligence in the UK taking place next week.
The government has set up the event, targeting tech experts, scholars and political representatives, to take place at Bletchley Park, the Buckinghamshire estate that had formerly been the highly confidential base of the WWII codebreakers.
The agenda will deal with the dangers that may arise from the quickly-progressing technology.
The UK has proposed the establishment of an international AI watchdog to keep track of progress.
Mr Karp declared that the summit was setting the UK up to be at the forefront of Europe.
Rishi Sunak has extended an invitation to China to attend the summit, but this decision has been met with disapproval due to the present strained relationship with the nation.
Mr Karp declared that he thinks the current state of the world is that of an arms race, where it is dividing, and that if the choice were his, he would not extend invitations to countries that are not in agreement.
Some people have raised worries about the extent to which AI could replace existing jobs.
Mr Karp suggested that if AI is used correctly, the average worker would gain from it, stating that "you'll have more jobs."
Ms Donelan declared that AI would unavoidably alter the labor landscape, just as every technology before it had.
However, she remarked that it could also revolutionize the way we work by lowering the amount of paperwork and bureaucracy.
This aims to empower and support people in their work, not eliminate their jobs.
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