Commentary|Articles|August 21, 2026

When the Slack Runs Out: AI and the CRO Operating Model

Agentic AI will put the CRO operating model to the test—and force the efficiency and accountability questions the industry can no longer avoid.

The clinical research industry is entering another technology cycle, this time driven by agentic artificial intelligence (AI). Vendors, consultants and analysts are rushing to map out what these systems will automate, speed up, or eliminate. The discussion is dominated by capabilities: autonomous workflows, digital teammates, predictive analytics.