Why AI in pharma matters today
Artificial intelligence has moved from experimentation to a central driver of transformation in the life sciences industry. Across pharmaceutical companies, AI technologies ranging from advanced analytics to generative and agentic AI are beginning to influence how organizations discover new molecules, design clinical trials, manage supply chains, and streamline internal operations. What once felt exploratory has now become a strategic imperative: Companies recognize that AI has the potential to significantly shorten development timelines, increase efficiency, and improve decision‑making across the value chain.
At the same time, the broader technology ecosystem is evolving at unprecedented speed. Hyperscalers, model providers, and AI‑native biotech firms are introducing new capabilities at a rapid pace, while regulatory frameworks and geopolitical considerations are reshaping how different regions adopt and scale these technologies. This accelerating dynamic combined with rising expectations from investors, healthcare systems, and patients creates both opportunities and pressure for pharma leaders. Many organizations are now shifting from isolated pilot projects to enterprise‑scale AI programs, asking not only how AI can support innovation but how it will redefine their operating models in the years ahead.
Against this backdrop, understanding the state of AI adoption, the regional differences driving its evolution, and the next wave of innovation have become more relevant than ever.
New Deloitte Future Talk episode explores the industry’s progress so far and describes how to win the future
To shed light on these developments, the Deloitte Future Talk podcast features a special edition on the future of AI in life sciences, in which guest host Susanne Uhlmann, Sector Lead Life Sciences at Deloitte Germany, speaks with Aditya Kudumala, Deloitte’s Global Life Sciences & Healthcare AI Leader. The episode unpacks the forces reshaping the industry, highlights the shifts that will define the next era of value creation and how companies need to adopt.
The conversation is guided by four central questions:
- What is really happening in the industry today and which companies are already applying AI successfully?
- How does Europe differ from the US and Asia when it comes to adopting AI in pharma?
- Why is Agentic AI gaining momentum?
- And what might be the next big shift after agentic AI?
These questions set the stage for a compelling discussion on how AI could reshape drug discovery, development, and the broader life sciences ecosystem.
Listen to the full conversation
Access the new episode via the Deloitte Future Talk podcast page or listen directly on Spotify. For continuous insights, thought leadership, and publications on AI, pharma, and the broader life sciences sector, visit the Deloitte Life Sciences website.