Biotech leaders embrace AI as a tool, not a miracle cure

SAN DIEGO — At the BIO International Convention, the biotech industry’s largest summer gathering, artificial intelligence is the talk of the show floor. But executives are striking a cautious tone. Brittany Trang, reporting for STAT, found that companies are exploring AI to speed up drug discovery, improve clinical trials, and cut costs. However, many stress that AI remains a tool to assist scientists, not replace them. “We are not going to let AI design a drug on its own,” one executive told Trang. “It helps us ask better questions.” The message from the conference is clear: biotech firms are eager to adopt AI, but they are wary of overhyping its current capabilities. The focus is on practical, near-term applications rather than futuristic promises.