From J&J Team meeting
Here’s a story from NotebookLM: The pace of technological change is intense, and you’re tasked with leveraging it to drive innovation and improve patient outcomes. Let’s think about some of the key areas to focus on.
First off, AI is not just a buzzword; it’s a fundamental shift1… The 2025 Gartner CIO and Technology Executive Survey indicates that life science CIOs are planning big increases in their AI budgets. Specifically, you’re going to see a lot of investment in Generative AI (GenAI). But here’s a crucial point: many GenAI projects will likely fail after the proof of concept stage by the end of 2025. Why? Because the focus is often too much on the tech, and not enough on the practicalities3…
What are the non-technical reasons for GenAI failures? Things like high costs, poor cultural integration, lack of proper governance and misaligned processes4… So, as a CIO, you need to actively monitor for these ‘failure signals’ in your AI projects and be ready to tackle them head-on7… This also means partnering with HR and business leaders to manage the cultural changes needed for AI adoption2. It’s not just about data scientists; it’s about enabling everyone in the organization to work effectively with AI2… You will need to really focus on change management and training and building the skills to effectively use AI tools10…
Now, let’s talk about data. It’s the lifeblood of AI, and you need to make sure you’re using it wisely9. One area where life sciences organizations should be investing is in synthetic data13… This isn’t just about filling gaps in your datasets. It can also be used to build out digital twins, which are virtual models of anything from a drug compound to an entire patient. By 2027, Gartner predicts that 30% of top life science organizations will use GenAI-generated synthetic data to advance their digital twin initiatives6. These digital twins are super useful in R&D, clinical development, and even commercial operations. For example, digital twins can help you do trial outcome simulations, optimize trial protocols and even predict customer behavior15…
There’s a lot of hype around digital transformation, but it’s not always easy. For instance, modular content has been a focus for content creation, but the benefits are often incremental, and organizations report that it’s not delivering significant cost reductions or efficiency gains18… Instead, look toward AI assistants which are on track to reach the top of the hype cycle in 2025 and will help accelerate content creation and streamline content workflows14… By 2028, Gartner predicts that 30% of top life science organizations will be using AI assistants for content creation and review21. You should be experimenting with GenAI tools for content development now22. This kind of technology can really speed things up while also making sure your content is tailored to your specific audiences23.
When it comes to which new technologies to prioritize, don’t try to boil the ocean at once, but be ready to experiment and pilot. Gartner suggests using a framework to evaluate emerging technologies based on their suitability and complexity24… Some technologies, like knowledge graphs and responsible AI, can be adopted without significant modification26… Others, like quantum processing and hyperscale edge computing, have high potential but need significant adaptation28. Prioritize those that fit your strategic goals, but also consider technologies like private 5G for improving communication in research and clinical trials, or AI avatars for enhancing patient and clinician engagement29… Ultimately, what you need is a systematic way to scan the horizon and make informed decisions29…
Key takeaway: You need a flexible and adaptable digital strategy. CIOs are the custodians of data and tech, so you need to monitor new tech in AI, automation, cloud, and analytics33. By building bridges across IT and the business you foster a collaborative culture of digital transformation33… The goal is to use technology not just to improve efficiency, but also to unlock new business models and create real value for the organization and patients alike33…
In short, focus on AI adoption with strong change management practices, prioritize data and synthetic data for model building, embrace AI-driven content workflows, use an evaluation framework for emerging technologies, and most importantly, build a digital strategy that is both adaptable and business focused. And don’t forget to proactively address potential risks and governance issues.
You can reference the following Gartner research in your plan1…:
•“2025 CIO Agenda: Top Priorities and Technology Plans for Life Sciences”36
•“Assess the Potential of Emerging Technologies for Life Sciences”24
•“Life Sciences Industry Technology Insights Primer for 2024”37
•“Predicts 2025: CIOs Prepare for AI to Reshape Life Sciences”1 ”