Symposium on Risks and Opportunities of AI in Clinical Drug Development

The Symposium on Risks and Opportunities of AI in Clinical Drug Development is an event jointly sponsored by Pfizer Inc., Northeastern University, the American Statistical Association (ASA), the Statistics Department and Data Science Institute at Columbia University, and OHDSI.

This event is designed to serve as a platform for distinguished statisticians, data scientists, regulators, and other professionals to address the challenges and opportunities of AI in pharmaceutical medicine; to foster collaboration among industry, academia, regulatory agencies, and professional associations; and to propose recommendations with policy implications for proper implementation of AI in promoting public health.

As a convener of researchers in the fields of AI, data science, biotechnology, computational medicine, and more, industry partners, academic faculty, and entrepreneurs, the Roux Institute at Northeastern University is uniquely positioned to host this event and connect the experts needed to tackle the challenges and opportunities presented.

The Roux Institute at Northeastern University is a center of activity for both the Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics Center (OHDSI), which advances healthcare by fostering reproducible research through open science, and the Institute for Experiential Artificial Intelligence (IEAI), which researches and develops human-centric AI solutions that leverage machine technology to extend human intelligence. ​

Co-sponsored by Pfizer, the American Statistical Association, Northeastern University, and Columbia University, the Roux Institute at Northeastern University is pleased to host this symposium focused on Risks and Opportunities in Clinical Drug Development.

Our world increasingly relies on data and computing to create knowledge, make critical decisions, and better predict the future. Data science has emerged to support these data-driven activities by integrating and developing ideas, concepts, and tools from computer science, engineering, information science, statistics, and domain fields. Data science now drives fields as diverse as biology, astronomy, material science, political science, and medicine—not to mention vast tracts of the global economy, key government activities, and quotidian social and societal functions.

The pharmaceutical enterprise has been slower to respond, especially to the rapid developments in AI, but tectonic shifts are underway in approaches to the discovery, development, evaluation, registration, monitoring, and marketing of medicines for the benefit of patients and the health of the community.

While there is much discussion about the potential of AI and modern machine learning tools to transform the drug development paradigm, there is a growing recognition of the paucity of research about the inevitable pitfalls and unintended consequences of the digital revolution in this important area of application. As we move toward personalized and truly evidence-based medicine, the use of AI and machine learning to optimize drug deployment raises a whole different set of challenges.

Established in January 2020, the Roux Institute in Portland, Maine is designed as an engine of innovation, talent, and economic growth for Maine, northern New England, and beyond. Partnerships set the model of graduate education and research apart. With leading companies and nonprofit organizations at the table from day one, the Roux Institute creates programs that are preparing the workforce to stay agile and thrive in a competitive landscape powered by artificial intelligence.

The Roux Institute is nurturing an environment for high-impact research and innovation in computer and data science, digital engineering, the advanced life sciences and medicine, and other tech fields. And the Roux helps entrepreneurs launch businesses focused on and powered by technology. Together, with our partners, we are creating an innovation corridor that will stretch from Boston to Portland and beyond.

We’re looking forward to welcoming you to Maine. The meeting venue, Ocean Gateway, and the Roux Institute are located in Portland’s historic Old Port neighborhood close to world class museums, restaurants and more. Information about traveling to and staying in Portland can be found below. And check out the Roux team’s Guide to Portland to make the most of your stay.

We have reserved a block of rooms at the AC Hotel Portland Downtown Waterfront, across the street from Ocean Gateway and just down the block from the Roux Institute.  Please call the hotel at 207-835-6590 and mention this conference, or use this link, to reserve your room. Space is limited – we recommend booking early.