Dr. Bijoy Sagar of Bayer discusses how responsible AI innovation can enhance efficiency and equity in the pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors, aligning with the mission of “health for all, hunger for none.”
In a recent episode of the CAIO Connect podcast, Dr. Bijoy Sagar, Chief Information Technology and Digital Transformation Officer at Bayer, shared insights on the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in the pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors. Hosted by Sanjay Puri, the discussion emphasized the importance of adopting an “AI-first” approach that prioritizes both productivity and ethical considerations.
Dr. Sagar expressed his deep commitment to Bayer’s mission of “health for all, hunger for none.” He stated, “If you are any human being on this planet, those are two things you can’t do without. That propels the basic purpose of your life forward.” He believes that both the pharmaceutical and agricultural industries are driven by the need for innovation, particularly in light of the vast amounts of data available.
“To have people live healthy lives, to have them achieve sustenance in the best healthful way… these are two industries which are highly propelled by innovation,” he explained. Sagar emphasized that technology is a natural ally in this mission, as it can help meet unmet needs. By integrating AI into workflows, Bayer aims to create “frictionless integration” between human interactions and technology, reducing barriers to efficiency.
During the conversation, Sagar highlighted the distinct roles of generative AI and agentic AI. He described generative AI as a tool for personal productivity, while agentic AI focuses on organizational productivity. “This hybrid balance is essential for long-term adoption and success,” he noted. Sagar underscored the importance of establishing frameworks and guardrails that encourage experimentation while maintaining alignment with organizational goals.
“We have helped people think through what they want to use. We have built guardrails around it. And then we do encourage experimentation within that framework,” he said. He believes that allowing innovation within guided parameters is crucial for driving effective change. “You can still let people innovate and create agents within some framework, but I also believe it’s really important to set organizational principles and large organizational goals to drive that conversation,” he added.
Dr. Sagar also addressed the evolving landscape of software access, noting a shift from traditional interfaces to more flexible, autonomous methods. However, he acknowledged that in highly regulated industries like pharmaceuticals, balancing innovation with compliance remains a significant challenge. “You have to have a starting point, which is universal, not predefined, but accessible so it serves you the right thing as you need,” he explained. This approach allows for autonomy while ensuring adherence to necessary constraints.
Looking to the future, Sagar pointed to emerging technologies such as quantum computing and synthetic data. He remarked, “This could be a quantum topic and standard AI topic… you can do a tremendous amount of modeling already without making that about human data.” He expressed optimism about the potential of quantum computing, particularly in areas like protein folding, which he believes could revolutionize the field. However, he cautioned against over-reliance on synthetic data, advocating for a hybrid approach that combines both synthetic and real data.
Equity and inclusivity emerged as central themes in Sagar’s discussion. He warned that the AI divide could exacerbate existing inequalities, stating, “We have to build models and we have to build these solutions in a way that benefits the largest amount of humanity possible.” He emphasized that achieving “health for all, hunger for none” requires a commitment to inclusivity, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Dr. Sagar also highlighted the human aspect of transformation, stating, “We’re really transforming the way companies work, behave, sell, innovate.” He emphasized that this transformation is not merely technological but fundamentally about people and organizational culture. “Technology is a driver to that change,” he said, underscoring the need for humility and adaptability in the face of such significant shifts.
In conclusion, Dr. Sagar painted a vision of an AI-driven future where innovation is intertwined with responsibility. He believes that the success of AI adoption hinges not only on technological advancements but also on fostering a meaningful mission that attracts talent and drives collective transformation.
Source: Original article