AI Can’t Fix Bad Data: Why Semantic Technologies Are Key to R&D Acceleration

Contributed Commentary by Verena Mertes and Wolf Lichtenstein, LabVantage Solutions

December 30, 2024 | What role will AI play in the future of drug development, especially as novel therapeutic approaches such as precision medicine drive up the complexity and cost of research? Some industry headlines hype AI as a magic bullet, capable of cutting through the headwinds of slow development cycles, shifting regulations, and high rates of failure. For companies racing to reach the market with safe and compliant new drug products, this vision of AI is compelling—and it’s driving heavy investment.

Here’s the thing, though. When it comes to accelerating research, running an AI algorithm is the relatively easy part. Collecting, cleaning, and...