Artificial intelligence (AI) is solidifying its role as a strategic ally for the pharmaceutical industry, according to the Ascendant Report by Minsait, a company of Indra Group. The study reveals that 55% of pharmaceutical companies employ AI in the design of products and services, while 45% use it for risk management and cybersecurityCybersecurity solutions are essential in the digital age…, and 36% in marketing and sales. These figures reflect a growing adoption of AI across various domains, especially in specific operations such as disease analysis and drug manufacturing.
Innovation in Product and Service Design
The use of AI in the pharmaceutical industry allows for optimizing the creation of new drugs and medical services. More than half of the companies in the sector use this technology to enhance accuracy and speed in identifying compounds, as well as to predict outcomes in clinical trials and optimize the supply chain. With these tools, AI becomes a sort of “advanced calculator” for healthcare professionals, helping to predict disease progression in patients with chronic conditions or to ensure the quality of medications through artificial vision cameras during the manufacturing process.
Goals of AI Adoption in the Pharmaceutical Sector
The report identifies four main dimensions to assess the level of maturity in AI adoption: motivation, adoption, barriers, and next steps. Regarding motivation, 70% of companies cite operational efficiency as the primary reason, followed by improvements in decision-making (34%) and customer experience (31%). In terms of adoption, efforts are focused on internal operations within the sector and risk management and cybersecurity.
Arancha Pérez-Navarro, director of Consumption, Retail and Pharma at Minsait, states: “Artificial intelligence offers pharmaceutical companies a unique opportunity to enhance their competitiveness. It not only transforms products and services but also optimizes processes and improves strategic decision-making, revolutionizing the functioning of the sector.”
Barriers to the Expansion of Artificial Intelligence
Despite its potential, the path to full AI adoption in the pharmaceutical sector presents challenges. Companies identify a shortage of specialized talent (36%), a lack of strategic vision from senior management (35%), and regulatory uncertainty (31%) as the main obstacles. This last barrier is particularly significant, as regulatory frameworks vary considerably between regions and are still in development stages.
The Future of AI in the Pharmaceutical Industry
AI promises to revolutionize the pharmaceutical sector, an industry that generates €300 billion in Europe and leads innovation with an annual investment of €41.5 billion. In Spain, pharmaceutical exports grew by 53% in 2023, establishing the country as a benchmark in clinical research. Minsait estimates that the industry plans to invest €8 billion in the next three years to accelerate research, improve production processes and digitization, and enhance sustainability.
“AI not only drives business; it also addresses the social and environmental challenges faced by the sector,” concludes Pérez-Navarro.
About Minsait and Indra Group
Minsait is the Indra Group subsidiary specializing in digital transformation and Information Technologies, excelling in artificial intelligence, cloud, and cybersecurity. Indra Group, with revenues of €4.343 billion in 2023 and over 57,000 employees, is a global leader in technology and defense, with operations in more than 140 countries.
via: Minsait