Key takeaways from MedAffairs Transformation: creating a high-value medical affairs organization in the age of AI

What does a high-value medical affairs organization look like in a world of constrained resources, increasingly capable artificial intelligence (AI) and easier access to scientific information?

For medical affairs leaders navigating these changes, one clear theme emerged at the MedAffairs Transformation event in Zurich: value will increasingly depend on how effectively Medical Affairs teams turn information into insight, connect teams around shared outcomes and use AI to support better decisions.

Thanks to Evidence Life Sciences for the opportunity to participate and present our session, ‘Beyond the pilot: making AI adoption stick in medical affairs’, and to everyone who contributed.

Here are some of the ideas from the day that were particularly meaningful to us.

How can Medical Affairs teams focus more closely on impact?

Start with the change, not the deliverable. Define the impact you want to create before determining the intervention or how success should be measured. This shifts the focus away from individual activities and towards the difference you are trying to make.

Where does human expertise add value as AI capabilities grow?

Turn information into insight. As AI takes on more of the work involved in retrieving and synthesizing information, human expertise becomes increasingly important in applying judgement, interpretation and context. The opportunity is in spending less time finding information and more time understanding what it means and how it can be applied.

How can evidence have greater impact?

Design for the whole ecosystem. Evidence can have greater impact when it reaches beyond established channels and audiences and informs the conversations and decisions that shape clinical practice. For Medical Affairs teams, this means thinking about where evidence needs to travel and who needs to engage with it from the outset.

What will help AI adoption move beyond the pilot stage?

Make AI part of the workflow. Long-term adoption is more likely when technology addresses a genuine need, works within appropriate guardrails and makes people’s jobs easier. This means identifying the need first, then considering where AI can provide meaningful support.

Could shared missions help connect Medical Affairs teams?

Organize around missions rather than activities. Shared outcomes can help connect evidence generation, scientific communications, field teams and local implementation, rather than approaching each through separate tactical plans. A clearer view of the outcome can also help teams decide where their time and resources are best focused.

What was our biggest takeaway?

AI will change how Medical Affairs teams work. Used well, it could give teams more time to interpret evidence, apply their expertise and focus on tasks that require human judgement.

For those of us working alongside Medical Affairs teams, the message is equally important. We need to listen carefully, question our assumptions (and existing workflows) and stay focused on where we can genuinely add value.

At Amiculum, we combine carefully selected AI and digital tools with human intelligence and creativity. We are continuing to explore how these tools can support our work while maintaining appropriate safeguards and a strong focus on compliance.

If you’re considering how AI could support your Medical Affairs teams, get in touch to continue the conversation here.