In this high-stakes scenario, negotiating with the protesters via the intercom represents a balanced approach that attempts to de-escalate the situation without immediately violating security protocols or risking the patient's life through inaction, potentially allowing human surgeons access quickly. This choice prioritizes ethical principles like non-maleficence by avoiding harm from delay or unauthorized AI action, while involving stakeholders such as the protesters and medical staff in a dialogue that could resolve uncertainties about their concerns. The trade-off is the time negotiation might take, but it avoids the severe consequences of either guaranteeing the patient's death or bypassing consent entirely, making it the most prudent initial step.