Harnessing AI in medical affairs: key takeaways from a MAPS LinkedIn Live panel discussion

Here are some of my key takeaways from the conversation:

One of the most exciting areas we explored was how AI can help enhance efficiency across various functions in medical affairs. A great example is leveraging AI in literature reviews is the use of AI to not only streamline the output of these reviews but also to enrich the insights they generate. This involves tagging evidence quality, assessing journal impact factors, and even overlaying recommendations based on clinical guidelines. The result will be rich, tailored analyses that align with the way healthcare professionals consume data. While still in the early phase, this example shows AI’s ability to tackle time-heavy tasks, freeing teams for more strategic work.

Similarly, our discussion touched on the value of AI in improving medical communications. The ability of generative AI to assist with content personalization stands out as a quick win, providing physicians with relevant and focused data – precisely when and where they need it.

It became evident during the session that the adoption of AI isn’t solely about technology – it’s about people. Medical affairs professionals will need to develop new skills to effectively interact with AI tools particularly when it comes to prompting or interpreting AI outputs. Upskilling teams will be key to breaking down the barriers between medical and technical departments, enabling close-knit collaboration. Partnering across departments ensures that the tools seamlessly integrate into medical affairs workflows and address real-world challenges.

For any organization to fully benefit from AI, internal champions are essential. We’ve seen this firsthand. Success hinges on having individuals who not only understand AI’s potential but also act as advocates for its responsible implementation. These leaders can bridge the gap between technological innovation and medical expertise, ensuring that AI solutions meet regulatory and organizational needs.

Like any emerging tool, integrating AI comes with challenges. One of the largest hurdles is data quality and availability. Differences in data standards and regulatory constraints across geographies pose significant barriers. Additionally, presenting a clear return on investment (ROI) for AI adoption remains complex, especially when much of the benefit is centered on efficiency or process transformation rather than immediate cost savings.

Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, it’s clear that the role of AI in medical affairs will continue to expand. While some targeted solutions like internal training on AI tools and literature reviews are available today, the potential for AI to redesign entire workflows – from content creation to real-time insights for healthcare professionals – is on the horizon. I foresee AI helping us not only do our work faster but also make it more personalized and impactful. It’s an exciting time to be in medical affairs, where the intersection of human expertise and AI-driven innovation promises a future full of possibilities.

By combining thoughtful integration with ongoing upskilling, we can ensure that AI supports – not replaces – our roles as medical professionals, ultimately advancing care and outcomes.

You can find the recording of the event and discussion here.