KPMG's extensive research into AI use across eight industries, finds that unlike sectors still experimenting or struggling to scale the tech, life sciences organisations have embedded AI deeply into their operations – from R&D and clinical trials to supply chains and commercial functions. For many, AI is not just a tool, but a core part of how they work.
The challenge is no longer whether AI can deliver value, but how companies can reshape their organisations to fully realise its potential. The Intelligent life sciences report explores how leading life sciences firms are making this transition – adapting their operating models, breaking down silos, and fostering AI-driven agility. This report also offers actionable insights into how organisations can take a value-based approach to AI that helps to accelerate innovation, unlock new growth opportunities, and maximise the impact of their AI investments.
At-a-glance insights:
A sector out front
92%
state their organisations are clear on which AI technologies and capabilities should be invested in
69%
have a clear strategic vision of the role AI will play over the next five years
0%
report having achieved operational improvements through the adoption of AI
Respondents also say that AI is also having a high degree of impact in:
- Supply chain and logistics
- IT
- R&D
Despite promising results proving value of the tech remains elusive
ROI on AI initiatives in life sciences
Measuring AI ROI is a top adoption challenge in life sciences
68%
report significant stakeholder pressure to prove the ROI of AI
Operating model adaptability key to driving AI-enabled value creation
The KPMG research finds that organisations who use a combination of functional and agile models are twice as likely to achieve high ROI compared to those with traditional functional or matrix-based structures.
0%
functional and agile models
0%
functional or matrix models
How can life sciences companies help to ensure that AI serves as a catalyst for meaningful transformation?
In addition to providing robust research, the Intelligent life sciences report also shares actionable insights into how organisations can take a value-based approach to AI that helps them to accelerate innovation, unlock new growth opportunities, and maximise the impact of their AI investments.
Through this report, we introduce the three phases of AI value – A framework that can help life sciences organisations to enable their teams, embed AI into workflows, and evolve their organisations into AI-powered, ecosystem-driven enterprises.
The Enable phase builds AI foundations. Organisations appoint a responsible executive, create an AI strategy, identify high-value use cases, boost AI literacy, align with regulations and establish ethical guardrails. AI pilots are launched across functions, while cloud platforms and pre-trained models are leveraged with minimal customisation.
The Embed phase integrates AI into workflows, products, services, value streams, robotics and wearables, helping to deliver greater value. Senior leaders drive enterprise-wide workforce redesign, re-skilling and change, embedding AI into operating models with a focus on ethics, trust and security. AI agents and diverse models are deployed, supported by cloud and legacy tech modernisation, while enterprise-wide data enhances operations.
The Evolve phase elevates business models and ecosystems, using AI and frontier technologies like agentic and blockchain to solve sector-wide challenges. AI orchestrates seamless value creation across enterprises and partners. Emphasising ethics and trust with real-time security, this phase uplifts human potential. AI is embedded in the culture of the organisation. The workforce, upskilled with deep training, fosters a creative, innovative and value-driven future.
Intelligent life sciences
This research outlines a detailed blueprint for AI life sciences organisations, helping organisations chart a path toward unlocking AI’s immense value.
Our executive summary provides a cross-sector view of how organisations are navigating the opportunities and challenges of implementing AI. Download the executive summary to see the blueprint for intelligent industries to help you become an AI-powered, customer-centric organisation ready to thrive in the intelligent economy.
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