AI Adoption and Impact in Life Sciences Industry

This technical report presents findings from the 2026 EXL Enterprise AI Study, which surveyed 322 executives across five industries, focusing on AI adoption in life sciences. The report outlines the current state of AI deployment, revealing that 96% of life sciences companies prioritize scaling AI, with AI embedded in 45% of workflows, expected to rise to 55% within a year. It details the distinction between leaders, followers, and laggards in AI adoption, highlighting that leaders deploy AI in six or more business functions. The report identifies key areas where AI is applied, including drug discovery and clinical trial design, and discusses the operational efficiencies and risk mitigation achieved through AI. Additionally, it addresses challenges related to data accessibility and governance, noting that only 34% of companies believe they have sufficient governance for ethical AI use. The report emphasizes the importance of embedding AI into workflows to enhance speed and efficiency in the life sciences sector.