Pharma and AI? Let's try augmented intelligence first

Like smartphones upended everyday tasks from communication to shopping, artificial intelligence promises to change how the pharmaceutical industry discovers drugs, carries out R&D and even commercializes products. Before that happens, though, the industry needs to figure out precisely what AI means and how much investment will be required. Further challenges include trepidation about how best to prove it works and confusion over its power. According to a survey of over 12,000 participants conducted by consultancy PwC in 2016, lack of trust and a need for the human element were the biggest hurdles to using AI in healthcare. "I don't think artificial intelligence is really here; it's more augmented intelligence. Some high tech people might argue otherwise, but certainly for the pharma industry AI is using technology and algorithms to interrogate data and suggest decisions," said Pamela Spence, EY's global sector leader for life sciences.