Elsevier backs Pistoia Alliance for AI in drug discovery

New initiatives to tackle AI-related challenges in life sciences

Elsevier, a leader in information and analytics, has announced its support for The Pistoia Alliance in promoting safe and responsible AI adoption in drug discovery.

This effort aims to address key AI challenges, including the need for trustworthy data and AI transparency, through industry workshops, webinars, and conferences.

Elsevier’s commitment will provide expertise to over 200 member organizations of Pistoia, including major pharmaceutical, biotech, healthcare, and R&D firms.

This partnership has been ongoing for over a decade, focusing on equipping the industry with tools for effective, safe, and ethical AI usage in drug discovery.

Mirit Eldor, Managing Director, Life Sciences Solutions at Elsevier, stated, “The Pistoia Alliance continues to be the ideal forum for productive collaboration. Coming together to share learnings can help overcome data barriers in life sciences.”

The announcement follows Elsevier’s recent Attitudes to AI report, highlighting both enthusiasm and concern among researchers regarding AI use.

Common issues include misinformation, critical errors, and gaps in critical thinking, as mirrored in Pistoia’s Lab of the Future Report. Both reports underscore the need for better educational resources, such as ontologies training.

Elsevier has pinpointed five key areas to drive AI adoption in drug discovery: securing trustworthy data, structuring data for insights, ensuring transparent AI, unified governance, and bridging the skills gap.

Dr Becky Upton, President of the Pistoia Alliance, said, “Elsevier’s and our surveys show researchers are eager to adopt AI but face challenges with data access and trust. Elsevier has been a valued member since 2015, contributing to initiatives shaping our industry’s future.”