In this high-stakes scenario, negotiating with the protesters via the intercom offers a chance to de-escalate the situation peacefully, potentially allowing Dr. Thorne to access the controls without bypassing security protocols, thus balancing the ethical principles of beneficence (saving the patient's life) and respect for established rules. This approach minimizes risks to stakeholders like the hospital's reputation and public trust in AI systems, while addressing the protesters' concerns directly, which could lead to a quicker resolution than forcing the surgery or waiting indefinitely. Although there is uncertainty about the negotiation's success, it avoids the severe consequences of the patient's certain death from waiting or the ethical breach of proceeding without consent, making it a prudent first step with the option to reassess if it fails.