Position Paper Release Webinar

Unlocking AI in Medical Affairs: Key Insights from Our Collaborative Webinar

Last week, AVAYL had the immense pleasure of co-hosting a webinar to celebrate the launch of our collaborative position paper, "Transforming Medical Affairs with AI- A comprehensive reference guide for Pharma & Biotech industries."

Alongside our valued partners, the Medical Information Leaders in Europe (MILE) and the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Society, we brought together a panel of authors and a global audience of around 150 innovation-minded Medical Affairs professionals.

The goal was not just to announce the paper, but to dive into the real, challenging questions that Medical Affairs professionals are facing today.

The conversation that followed was a candid exploration of the practical challenges and exciting opportunities of integrating AI. Here are some of the highlights from the session:

The Pitfall of the "Solution in Search of a Problem"

A recurring theme was the danger of "zombie projects"—AI initiatives that sound impressive but ultimately fail because they don't solve a genuine problem.

Michelle Bridenbaker of MILE shared a critical insight: the most common pitfall is failing to drill down to the fundamental "why". Too often, teams are handed an exciting new AI tool and told to implement it, leading to scope creep, budget overruns, and solutions that don't fit harmoniously into daily workflows.

The panel agreed that successful AI implementation begins not with technology, but with a deep, honest understanding of the problem you are trying to solve and the environment—from data readiness to team skills—in which that problem exists.

The Human Element: Augmentation, Not Replacement

The fear that AI will replace jobs is pervasive, but the webinar discussion painted a more nuanced picture. Dr. Samuel Dyer of the MSL Society presented a powerful statistic from their research: only 18% of medical affairs professionals currently feel "knowledgeable" about AI. This highlights a critical gap.

The consensus was clear: AI will not replace the MSL or the Medical Information specialist. However, professionals who become AI-literate—who understand how to leverage these tools to generate insights, prioritize engagements, and add value—will be the ones who thrive.

The focus must be on creating an "AI-inclusive" culture that empowers teams through education and transparent policies, turning apprehension into adoption.

A Provocative Question: "Can AI Write My Medical Letters?"

Perhaps the most engaging discussion stemmed from a direct, practical question about whether AI could draft medical response letters without creating more review work. As a technology provider, this is a challenge we at AVAYL are passionate about solving.

Our managing director, Dr. Miena Amiri, explained that first-generation AI, like simple chatbots, isn't the answer. They often operate as a "black box", creating a response but leaving the user to spend hours validating its origin and accuracy. This doesn't save time or follow scientific principles.

The future, we believe, lies in systems that augment the professional's workflow. Instead of a one-step answer, the technology should break the process into "micro-steps": guiding the user through research, helping assess evidence quality, extracting key data points, and finally, synthesizing a response. This keeps the medical expert in the driver’s seat—in full control, with complete transparency and an auditable trail. It’s not about replacing human expertise; it’s about supercharging it.

The journey to AI in Medical Affairs is just beginning. As the webinar concluded, it was clear that success will be defined by collaboration, a commitment to solving real-world problems, and placing human experts at the heart of technological innovation.

For a deeper dive into these frameworks and strategies, we invite you to download the full position paper.