2025 Was the Year of AI Pilots. 2026 Must Be the Year of AI Foundations.
2025 was the year AI in clinical development moved from rhetoric to reality, with pilots proliferating across the industry. The ambition and excitement are undeniable. But behind the buzz lies a hard truth; most clinical development organizations are running isolated pilots and still stuck in manual, document-heavy workflows.
2026 is poised to be different. It’s time to move from ambition to action and build the foundations for true AI maturity.
The Reality Behind the Buzz
40%
of companies are running AI pilots, but remain reliant on manual processes and document generation, according to the survey respondents from a recent virtual event.
The gap between aspiration and execution is striking. Why? Common barriers include fragmented ownership, capability gaps, and poor change management.
“We won’t get the full value of AI if we run disconnected pilots. Understanding the connectivity and building systems that deal with that interconnectivity is absolutely critical.”
The truth is, AI isn’t a magic wand. AI is now delivering real work that was previously only possible through teams of people, but it is only scalable when supported by structured data, integrated workflows, and a clear organizational vision. Without these foundations, even the most advanced algorithms will fail to scale.
From Promise to Maturity: What AI Readiness Looks Like
The year 2026 marks a turning point where organizations will have the opportunity to move beyond scattered pilot projects toward comprehensive, enterprise-wide implementation. Based on experience driving digital innovation in pharma, Evinova has identified critical dimensions for AI adoption, including strategy, governance, data integration, talent readiness, change management and more. They’re the building blocks that turn AI from a pilot project into a catalyst for accelerated trials, optimized workflows, and better patient outcomes.
“AI success starts with data. Without clear data standards, governance, and cultural readiness, even the most advanced algorithms will fail to scale. Maturity means building these foundations now so that in 2026, AI isn’t a pilot, it’s part of the fabric of clinical development.”
“Evinova’s unique vantage point, born from pharma and now a technology and AI leader, gives us unparalleled insight into bridging ambition and implementation. We’ve seen what works, what fails, and how to help organizations take the next big leap,” adds Bonam.
Ready to move from cautious optimism to confident action?
Reach out to our team. Together, we’ll assess your organization’s readiness, identify priority areas, and co-create a framework for sustainable AI adoption that delivers value and impact.
In the meantime, catch up on what you missed at our recent virtual event on AI maturity:
Transform your clinical trials today
