Emanuel Fenart, Chief Digital Officer of Sanofi, outlines the company’s comprehensive AI strategy aimed at enhancing drug development and patient outcomes by categorizing initiatives into expert AI, snackable AI, and generative AI. He emphasizes the importance of focused implementation, real-world testing, and the introduction of digital concierges to streamline employee tasks and improve productivity.
In the video, Emanuel Fenart, the Chief Digital Officer of Sanofi, discusses the company’s ambitious goal of leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance drug development and improve patient outcomes. He emphasizes the lengthy and challenging process of bringing a drug from concept to treatment, which can take over 12 years with a 90% failure rate. By integrating AI into their operations, Sanofi aims to reduce this timeline and increase the likelihood of success, ultimately benefiting millions of patients worldwide.
Upon joining Sanofi four years ago, Fenart observed that the company’s use of AI was fragmented and uncoordinated across various departments. To address this, he and his team developed a comprehensive, company-wide AI strategy that categorizes their AI initiatives into three distinct areas. The first category, “expert AI,” focuses on specialized applications in labs and factories designed for expert users, enhancing their ability to make informed decisions.
The second category, termed “snackable AI,” provides accessible, user-friendly recommendations through an app co-created with Alabs. This technology empowers over 22,000 employees at Sanofi to make quick decisions at their fingertips. The third category, generative AI, allows for rapid content creation and localization, enabling the company to reach patients and healthcare professionals more efficiently than ever before.
Fenart also introduces the concept of a digital concierge, which utilizes generative AI to assist employees with routine tasks, such as booking holidays and managing schedules. This innovation aims to streamline daily activities, allowing employees to focus on more critical responsibilities. He believes that digital concierges will become commonplace in the workplace, enhancing productivity and efficiency.
Throughout the implementation of their AI strategy, Sanofi has faced challenges and setbacks, including the rapid evolution of technology and the need for strong governance. Fenart stresses the importance of selecting high-impact use cases and going deep into problem-solving rather than spreading efforts too thin. He advocates for real-world testing of AI applications through minimum viable products, as this approach provides valuable insights and drives meaningful innovation within the company.