The Year of AI

As we near the end of 2024 and reflect on the year that was for clinical research, it would be remiss for us to not acknowledge where we currently stand with artificial intelligence (AI). Its promises are well known by now, from automating patient recruitment to streamlining data operations, and much more. I’m sure 2025 will see AI take an even stronger hold on the industry, but we must be vigilant in maintaining ethical research practices that prioritize our most important stakeholder—patients.

In a video interview with Applied Clinical Trials earlier in 2024, Stephen Pyke, chief clinical data and digital officer, Parexel, said, “…Of course the patients are the most important stakeholder in this whole process. AI is a new technology in its current format. It's building on strong foundations, but there’s a lot that is still new and unknown and we want to make sure that we use it wisely, carefully, responsibly, ethically, and so on.”

Our December issue spotlighting the latest AI-driven approaches in clinical development begins with a feature on synthetic clinical trial data. It highlights a use case on incorporating simulated data, which can potentially change the way trials are designed and executed, and offer a lower level of risk with enhanced efficacy. Next is a piece on the benefits of generative AI (GenAI) in the contract research organization (CRO) space. The article presents concrete examples of how GenAI can help CROs streamline processes involving analytics, databases, and more.

Another feature this month places an emphasis on the use of AI for protocol design and site support. Sponsors can leverage AI by organizing data that provides critical insights into patient and site burden. Rounding out our quartet of December features is a piece, originally published in sister brand Pharmaceutical Executive, that focuses on breaking down traditional siloes in clinical research with the help of AI. Enabling the use of technology allows for more flexibility in trial design elements, which greatly benefits the patient journey. Check out our "In Focus," Q&A, and Closing Thought installments this month as well for AI-related insights.

As we conclude our coverage for 2024, I am excited at what awaits us as an industry in 2025. Thank you for reading.

Mike Hennessy Jr is president and CEO of MJH Life Sciences®