Strategic planning for the development of artificial intelligence in the face of new challenges (a pharmaceutical industry case study)

This article examines international experience in adapting national artificial intelligence (AI) development strategies to new challenges and identifying key directions for applying AI technologies in the pharmaceutical industry. Transformations in the global economy, driven by geopolitical changes and their impact on global mechanisms of international cooperation, have necessitated a revision of national AI strategies. A comparative analysis of the updated national strategies of the USA, EU, China, and Russia, aimed at assessing their adaptability to the rapidly changing conditions of the global AI market, revealed that each country has chosen its own unique development path. The USA and China, as recognized leaders in the development of AI technologies, are strengthening their positions and tightening their control over resources in this area. The main challenges include restrictions on access to global databases and prohibitions on the use of AI technologies, equipment and infrastructure. The author concludes that the successful implementation and scaling of AI in the pharmaceutical industry depends not only on favorable macroeconomic conditions, such as a significant domestic market and extensive investment opportunities, but also on the development and implementation of national strategies with clearly defined goals, which are also reflected in other strategic documents (programs, plans etc.). An analysis of the approaches of leading countries shows that national strategic initiatives in AI are being developed not only in high-tech countries but also in dynamically developing economies. However, these initiatives are fragmented, and state policy is based on disparate strategic planning documents, each covering only specific aspects of AI application in the pharmaceutical industry. This is also characteristic of Russia’s strategic documents defining national AI priorities. Therefore, the author substantiates the need to improve approaches for ensuring the alignment of national goals for AI development in the pharmaceutical industry in strategic planning documents.