Machine Learning In Clinical Trials: What Will The Future Hold (And What's Holding Us Back)?

Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb stressed the need for modernizing the clinical trials process in a speech to the Bipartisan Policy Center in January of this year.1 He is quoted as saying, "digital technologies are one of our most promising tools for making healthcare more efficient." Improving efficiency in clinical trial development is only one potential enhancement that can result from the use of machine learning. Machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) are often used interchangeably, but that assumption is incorrect. Machine learning is the subset of AI that is related to the development of algorithms that can make accurate predictions of future outcomes via pattern recognition and rules-based logic. Such use of logic and algorithms can improve patient selection, provide predictive long-term outcomes, and reduce the time and cost in the execution of clinical trials.