Can Pharma Manufacturers Realize AI's Potential?

Life sciences manufacturers are cautiously optimistic about the potential for emerging technologies like AI, robotics and automation to improve manufacturing operations. While many manufacturers anticipate that these technologies will drive greater operational efficiencies and lower the cost of goods, concerns still remain about affordability, integration into regulated manufacturing environments — particularly for AI — and what these technologies mean for the future of the workforce.

This episode of Off Script continues our series exploring findings from CRB's Horizons: Life Sciences 2026 report. We spoke with Niranjan Kulkarni, PhD, senior director of consulting services, and Matt Edwards, director of digital innovation, who co-authored a section of the report that explores the role of technology and people in life sciences manufacturing. The conversation explored why some manufacturers are expecting emerging technologies to increase costs, the challenges of implementing AI in regulated manufacturing, and how manufacturers can prepare their workforces for responsible AI adoption while maintaining human oversight.