In 2020, OpenText surveyed 125 pharmaceutical executives to determine how familiar each respondent is with AI technologies within their industry. The survey results revealed that an interest in AI increased to 85% in 2020, up from 47% in 2018, when a previous similar survey was conducted. Approximately 75% of respondents indicated they intend to or plan on using data scientists' analytics centers of excellence. Unlike with previous OpenText surveys, respondents indicated that issues with regulation and promotional content shy rocked to the top of the least organized areas, as opposed to document management and processing of regulatory submissions, which were well-defined areas. The incorporation of AI into the pharma industry provides a number of tangible advantages. Further findings from the recent OpenText survey revealed, the percentage of companies looking at next-generation technologies dropped from 23% in 2018 to 19% in 2020.

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.