S2 Ep3 | Mike Walker, Microsoft | Augmenting and Accelerating Life Sciences Innovation With AI

WELCOME TO VITALS, THE PULSE OF GEORGIA LIFE SCIENCESIn this incredible, timely, and informative episode of VITALS, Maria Thacker, the CEO of Georgia Life Sciences, interviews Mike Walker, Vice President of Health and Life Sciences at Microsoft, for a rubust discussion on the integration of AI in the life sciences industry. He emphasized the importance of focusing on non-sexy use cases like SOPs and document generation to enhance productivity and compliance. Walker highlighted the need for trustworthy data, governance, and a zero-trust architecture to ensure regulatory compliance. He also stressed the importance of AI in talent retention and acquisition, particularly in small and mid-size biotech companies. Looking ahead, he predicted significant advancements in biohacking and quantum computing, and advocated for a proactive approach in building the "factory of the future."IntroductionMaria Thacker introduces the podcast and welcomes Mike Walker, Vice President of Health and Life Science at Microsoft.Mike Walker shares his background in corporate strategy, innovation management, and his time at Gartner as VP of Technology Innovation and CTO Strategy.Mike discusses his role at Microsoft, emphasizing his work as a strategic advisor, a bridge between Microsoft and partners, and his experience in writing books and speaking at events.Maria highlights the importance of AI in the life sciences industry and the growing manufacturing capacity in Georgia, mentioning companies like Takeda, Burning Rock, and J&J.AI in Life Sciences: Use Cases and Non-Sexy ApplicationsMaria asks Mike about the role of AI in the life sciences industry, specifically in pharma and biotech.Mike advises focusing on non-sexy use cases like SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) and document generation for regulatory submissions.He emphasizes the importance of data trustworthiness and the need to upskill talent within organizations to adopt AI.Mike suggests avoiding advanced autonomous agents unless the organization is a leading innovator in AI.Generational Divide and AI IntegrationMaria clarifies that Mike is referring to AI tools and not human agents when discussing the generational divide.Mike explains the integration of AI tools like Copilot in Microsoft 365 and the importance of creating a platform of intelligence within organizations.Maria shares a TikTok example of a woman discovering AI tools in her new company and the potential for AI to create efficiencies and save costs.Mike discusses the architectural approach of creating a platform of intelligence and the importance of having AI capabilities accessible like an app store.Regulatory and Geopolitical Forces Driving AI AdoptionMaria asks why life sciences companies should care about AI, especially in a regulated industry.Mike explains the amplification of workforce productivity through AI and the importance of AI in regulatory compliance and geopolitical aspects.He discusses the impact of regulatory changes, tariffs, and high-risk jurisdictions on supply chain networks and the role of AI in optimizing operations.Mike highlights the aging population and the need for AI to supplement workforce efforts and create a framework for talent retention and acquisition.AI in New Product Introduction and Tech TransferMaria and Mike discuss the importance of AI in new product introduction (NPI) and tech transfer.Mike explains the challenges of hitting a patent cliff and the need for AI to maximize patent life cycles and improve NPI processes.He emphasizes the role of AI in creating repeatability and reducing the time to onboard new drugs.Maria and Mike agree on the importance of AI in small and mid-size biotech companies to stay competitive and agile.Credibility and Governance of AI in Life SciencesMaria asks about the credibility of AI and the need for guardrails and fallback systems.Mike emphasizes the importance of trustworthy data, governance, and zero-trust architecture to ensure regulatory compliance.He discusses the need for AI systems to be evergreen and agile in adapting to new regulatory requirements.Maria and Mike agree on the importance of having SOPs in place to track data and ensure compliance.Practical Steps for Small Companies to Integrate AIMaria asks about practical steps for small companies to integrate AI.Mike suggests starting small, using AI to help with upskilling and adopting AI tools like Copilot.He recommends hiring AI digital natives to shadow existing employees and share best practices.Mike emphasizes the importance of investing in talent and upskilling the existing workforce to leverage institutional knowledge.Future of AI in Life Sciences: Short-Term and Long-Term ImpactMaria asks about the future of AI in life sciences and its impact on patients and the industry.Mike predicts that biohacking and quantum computing will have significant impacts in the next 5-10 years.He discusses the potential of biohacking to create meaningful data and human augmentation.Mike ...