The pharmaceutical sector, renowned for its pioneering strides in research and development, has occasionally faced criticism for its hesitance to adopt transformative technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI). Concerns about potential risks and uncertainties associated with AI adoption have given rise to debates within the industry. However, it is essential not to be deterred by these challenges but to recognize AI’s profound potential to revolutionize our operations.
AI holds the promise of reshaping the way we conduct business in the pharmaceutical sector. It facilitates real-time data exchange across diverse business units and functions, bridging the gaps that may have previously hindered seamless collaboration. This real-time exchange of information stands to greatly enhance the speed and efficiency of our operations.
Nonetheless, our approach to AI integration must be well-considered. While some perceive AI as a tool primarily for streamlining operations and automating repetitive tasks, its true value lies in the generation of invaluable insights. These insights have the potential to expedite the development of superior medicines, ensure timely access for the right patients, and ultimately improve overall patient outcomes.
As the pursuit of innovative medicines becomes increasingly challenging, with ever-rising standards for safety and efficacy, the concept of ethical AI emerges as a formidable solution. This form of AI empowers scientists with the capabilities to harness substantial computing power, leverage machine learning, and deploy advanced algorithms. These tools enable the expansion of the scope of potential therapeutic solutions. AI-driven screening processes have the capacity to rapidly identify disease drivers and promising drug candidates, thereby offering a more expansive approach to addressing various medical conditions at a reasonable cost.
It is noteworthy, however, that the domain of ethical AI is specialized and primarily caters to professionals possessing a unique blend of expertise in biology, chemistry, data science, and collaborations with technology and startup enterprises.
Yet, the benefits of AI extend beyond the confines of specialized teams. The potential of AI permeates every aspect of the pharmaceutical industry’s value chain, promising insights and improved outcomes across the enterprise. This underscores the importance of fostering the utilization of AI-for-All within our organizations.
AI-for-All signifies the deployment of applications that can be readily utilized by every member of an organization on a daily basis. These applications aggregate a comprehensive overview of the company, encompassing various functions such as finance, procurement, and supply management. These AI-driven tools provide real-time feedback and recommendations, empowering individuals across the organization to address emerging challenges effectively. The democratization of information fosters a more inclusive decision-making process, diminishing the reliance on hierarchical structures for insights.
Embracing AI necessitates not just technological adaptation but also a cultural shift. This transformation must originate from the upper echelons of leadership, acknowledging that many leaders within large organizations began their careers in a pre-digital era. To foster widespread adoption of AI-for-All, leaders must illustrate how this technology can empower teams to focus on informed, data-driven decision-making, reducing reliance on subjective assessments.
In this rapidly evolving AI landscape, the competitive edge will favor those who swiftly operationalize AI within their organizations. The true power of AI extends beyond its technological prowess; it hinges on its ability to drive behavioral change within organizations. By embracing AI boldly and decisively, companies can harness its potential to foster progress and enhance decision-making intelligence. The journey toward AI integration transcends technology; it represents a cultural and organizational shift, beginning with resolute leadership and an unwavering commitment to continuous innovation.
One example of this is Ebony Reprinted, a series of monoprints that present “the healing possibilities of abstraction.” To make the works, Dana used images that circulated in printed adverts and distorted them using paint to “remove traces of exploitative, white-dominated, capitalist, visual language and allow the individuals in these images to regain their agency.” She does this by smearing, pressing and adding texture to paint and, as the individuals and their faces becomes more abstract, the notion is that they also become “exponentially more present.”
As well as Beirut Re-Store’s marketplace, towards the end of October the platform will launch a “special collection of bespoke items” made in collaboration with non-profit organisation Creatives For Lebanon. This collection is already confirmed to feature contributions from Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier and Supriya Lee.
With a background in both graphic design and art, Dana Robinson’s practice sits at a fascinating intersection. She understands the power of combining imagery and text and the cultural and social connotations that come along with doing so, but she also embodies a freedom of expression often lacking in graphic design, meaning Dana’s portfolio errs towards abstraction and conceptual investigations. The onus of these investigations is on youth, Black female identity, ownership and nostalgia, topics she explores by combining, reproducing and deconstructing vintage materials, found objects and paint.
