By Jennifer Maffia, Owner of Advanced Recruiting Partners 

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future technology. It is already transforming how we work, communicate, innovate, and make decisions across nearly every industry. In life sciences and biopharmaceuticals, AI is influencing everything from drug discovery and clinical trial design to regulatory processes and patient engagement. 

Yet as AI becomes increasingly integrated into our professional lives, an important question remains: Who is helping shape its future? 

This is a topic that my friend Erica Rooney explores in her book, The AI Gap: Women, AI, and the Next Great Leap Forward. The book highlights a growing concern that women risk being left behind during one of the most significant technological shifts of our generation if they do not actively engage with AI and its applications. 

As someone who works closely with professionals across the life sciences industry, I believe this conversation is incredibly important. 

AI Is Changing the Workforce 

Every major technological advancement creates new opportunities while disrupting existing ways of working. AI is no different. 

Many professionals initially assume that AI is primarily relevant to software engineers, data scientists, or technology companies. However, the reality is that AI is increasingly impacting roles throughout life sciences and biopharma, including clinical operations, regulatory affairs, quality assurance, medical affairs, project management, and commercial functions. 

The question is no longer whether AI will influence our careers. The question is how prepared we are to work alongside it. 

Professionals who understand how AI can support productivity, improve decision-making, and streamline workflows will likely have a significant advantage in the years ahead. 

Why the Gender Gap Matters 

Women have made tremendous contributions to science, medicine, healthcare, and research for generations. Yet when it comes to emerging technologies, representation has not always kept pace. 

The concern is not simply about participation. It is about influence. 

The individuals who understand and adopt AI today will help shape how it is used tomorrow. They will contribute to the conversations, decisions, and innovations that determine how these tools evolve. 

If women are underrepresented in those discussions, valuable perspectives may be missing from the development and application of technologies that impact millions of people. 

Diverse perspectives have always been a strength in science and innovation. AI should be no exception. 

The Opportunity Is Bigger Than Technology 

One of the most important lessons from Erica’s work is that this conversation extends beyond learning new software or technical skills. 

The opportunity is about building confidence and curiosity around emerging technologies. 

You do not need to become an AI engineer to benefit from understanding AI. In fact, many of the professionals who will thrive in the future workforce will be those who learn how to leverage AI within their existing expertise. 

Clinical research professionals can use AI to analyze information more efficiently. Regulatory teams can explore ways to streamline documentation. Leaders can use AI to enhance decision-making and strategic planning. 

The goal is not to replace human expertise. It is to amplify it. 

What Employers Can Do 

Organizations also have an important role to play. 

Employers should ensure that AI education, training opportunities, and technology initiatives are accessible to employees across all functions and levels. Encouraging participation, providing learning resources, and fostering inclusive conversations around AI can help prevent gaps from widening over time. 

Leaders who invest in workforce readiness today will be better positioned to navigate future changes and remain competitive in an increasingly technology-driven landscape. 

A Career Development Imperative 

As a recruiter, I spend a great deal of time discussing professional development, emerging skill sets, and future career opportunities with candidates. 

What stands out to me is that the most successful professionals are rarely the ones who wait for change to happen. They are the ones who proactively learn, adapt, and prepare themselves for what is coming next. 

AI represents another opportunity to do exactly that. 

Whether you are a seasoned executive, a clinical research professional, or someone early in your career, developing a basic understanding of AI and its potential applications is becoming less of a competitive advantage and more of a professional necessity. 

Final Thoughts 

The AI conversation is not just about technology. It is about opportunity. 

As Erica Rooney highlights in The AI Gap: Women, AI, and the Next Great Leap Forward, this moment presents an important choice. We can view AI as something happening around us, or we can actively engage with it and help shape its future. 

For women in life sciences and biopharma, the opportunity is clear. The future of innovation will be influenced by those who choose to participate in it. 

My hope is that more women embrace AI not only because there is a need for woman technologists, but because they deserve a seat at the table as this next great leap forward unfolds. 

About Jennifer Maffia 
With over 20 years of experience in clinical staffing, Jennifer Maffia connects pharmaceutical, biotech, and life sciences companies with top-tier clinical talent. She is known for building lasting client relationships, supporting tenured recruiters, and driving impactful hiring strategies. Through industry partnerships and active board involvement, Jennifer remains committed to advancing the life sciences field and improving patient outcomes.