KPMG's extensive research into AI use across eight industries, finds that unlike sectors still experimenting or struggling to scale the tech, life sciences organizations 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.
AI is reshaping both scientific innovation and business operations in life sciences
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:
Despite promising results proving value of the tech remains elusive
ROI on AI initiatives in life sciences
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.
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. Click on each of the phases below to find out more.
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.
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.
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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Peter Liddell
Principal Advisor, Head of Healthcare and Life Sciences, and Global Leader, Operations Centre of Excellence
KPMG in Singapore
