Experts in the clinical trial industry are calling for greater transparency and utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) to unlock valuable insights hidden in clinical trial data. According to Prasanna Rao, Chief Products and Innovation Officer at Saama, making protocol data available to large language models can support informed patient decision-making.
Currently, companies are protective of clinical protocol data, but Rao believes there's no real reason for this fear. He suggests that AI can analyze related data and provide clear summaries to help patients understand what they're signing up for. This could improve patient understanding and informed decision-making.
The industry is also expected to see the emergence of "agentic AI" systems that can autonomously plan and execute complex tasks, transforming clinical trials. However, industry experts need to address questions of data access, integration, and trust deficits to unlock AI's full potential.
As AI becomes more prevalent in clinical trials, employers will likely prefer employees with analytical skillsets who can handle larger datasets. AI-assisted automated alternatives, such as chatbots, may also reduce labor costs in clinical trials.
Building trust in AI among industry decision-makers will require promoting its evolution, ensuring interpretability, and showcasing its benefits. With the right approach, AI can enhance trial efficiency, automate tasks, and inform decision-making processes in trial design and planning.
