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As generative AI continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, its presence across industries including life sciences is becoming increasingly significant. With this rapid evolution comes both opportunity and uncertainty, particularly for professionals navigating complex scientific, regulatory, and operational environments.
To better understand how this technology is currently affecting the field, Nicholas Boyle recently posed a question to his professional network:
“How is the current wave of generative AI/LLMs affecting your work on a daily basis?"
The poll generated responses from a cross-section of professionals in the life sciences sector, offering a timely snapshot of how generative AI is currently influencing day-to-day work. A majority 60% reported that AI is actively making their day-to-day work easier. This likely reflects the growing use of large language models and other generative tools in areas such as scientific writing, data summarisation, internal reporting, and literature review. These technologies are beginning to enhance efficiency, reduce time spent on routine tasks, and support faster decision-making in research and development workflows.
At the same time, 10% of respondents identified AI as a direct threat to their roles, highlighting the concern that certain knowledge-based or repetitive functions could be automated entirely. This tension between efficiency gains and job displacement is not unique to life sciences but is perhaps more acute in an industry where intellectual contribution and human oversight are essential.
Interestingly, 25% of participants indicated that they have not yet experienced any real impact from generative AI. This could point to slower adoption in specific functions, particularly those governed by strict regulatory requirements or scientific protocols, where trust in AI outputs is still being evaluated. A further 5% selected “Other,” likely representing more nuanced views or experiences that fall outside typical categories such as mixed impacts, ethical concerns, or early-stage exploration of AI integration.
Nicholas’s post accompanying the poll included a personal anecdote that brought the conversation into focus. He described his 3-year-old having a conversational exchange with Alexa asking about its favourite music, colour, age, and even where it goes on holiday. While humorous, it served as a poignant reminder that AI is no longer abstract; it is embedded in our homes, devices, and increasingly, our workplaces.
Reflecting on the broader implications, Nicholas noted: “Generative AI has now surpassed the entire knowledge of human history, creating independent research and making innovative decisions. There is an exponential curve now toward the AI singularity and this cannot be reversed, for better or worse.”
This sentiment captures a challenge facing many organisations today, the need to adapt in real time to a technology that is evolving faster than policy, training, or strategic planning can keep pace with. For life sciences leaders and professionals, the path forward requires a careful balance leveraging AI for innovation and efficiency, while ensuring rigorous oversight, compliance, and ethical responsibility remain central to its application.
As this conversation continues to develop, one thing is clear, AI is not on the horizon it is already here. The focus now must shift from anticipation to active engagement, preparing teams and organisations to work alongside these powerful tools with clarity, foresight, and purpose.
This dialogue reflects a broader shift underway across the sector. Continued collaboration, knowledge exchange, and cross-functional insight will be critical in navigating this period of technological transformation within the life sciences industry.