Within the pharmaceutical industry, the Medical Affairs department serves a critical strategic function as a link between internal scientific innovation and external clinical engagement. Some of these critical functions include data dissemination, evidence generation, KOL relationship management, and insight analysis. The department has been crucial in translating science into real-world impact. However, artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI platforms like ChatGPT, Grok, Claude, and other large language models, is rapidly transforming how value is delivered. As a result, the structure, functions, and long-term relevance of Medical Affairs are being reevaluated.
This transformation isn’t just hypothetical; its effects are already being observed. The implications for those working in Medical Affairs and the pharmaceutical industry overall are profound!
Due to growing concern and the momentum of AI adoption, the Medical Science Liaison Society conducted the first-ever global survey on the use of AI in Medical Affairs in 2024 and published the results (1).
However, as AI adoption has expanded, so has the urgency to understand its broader implications and impact on the careers of those working in Medical Affairs. To understand this impact, three additional global survey questions were conducted via LinkedIn polls in May and June 2025, targeting those working in Medical Affairs worldwide:
- As a result of AI advancements, which role in Medical Affairs will most likely be significantly reduced over the next few years?
- Will the number of Medical Affairs leadership roles (e.g., Directors, VPs) be significantly reduced in the next few years as a result of AI?
- Compared to previous job searches, how difficult is it to find your next role in Medical Affairs?
Which Medical Affairs Roles Are Most Vulnerable to AI?
AI is already transforming internal Medical Affairs functions. From automating literature reviews and creating medical content to streamlining medical information responses and analyzing insights, AI enables faster, more scalable, and often more accurate execution of many traditional activities. As these capabilities expand, the need for human involvement in routine and data-driven tasks continues to decline.
Table 1: As a result of AI advancements, which role in Medical Affairs will most likely be significantly reduced over the next few years?
| Role | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership Roles (Director/VPs) | 2% |
| Medical Information | 72% |
| MSLs/Medical Advisors | 6% |
| No roles significantly reduced | 20% |
| N = 806 |
An overwhelming 72% of respondents selected Medical Information as the role most likely to be significantly reduced. This aligns with the rise of AI tools that can search, synthesize, and respond with high accuracy and speed. These are processes that were once human-intensive but are now increasingly managed by AI, reducing the need for large internal teams.
Only 6% indicated MSLs or Medical Advisors will be significantly affected, suggesting that functions involving complex interpersonal engagement, nuanced scientific exchange, and contextual decision-making are perceived as less susceptible to automation.
Interestingly, 20% of respondents selected “No roles significantly reduced,” which raises important questions. Does this indicate a lack of awareness about AI’s capabilities and potential impact? Or possibly an overestimation of the irreplaceability of current functions? Could it also indicate resistance to change or a belief that Medical Affairs will be insulated from broader industry disruption? Regardless, this data suggests that some in Medical Affairs might underestimate the extent of disruption that is likely to happen and the urgent need to adapt.
Will the Number of Medical Affairs Leadership Roles Be Reduced as a Result of AI?
AI is transforming not just daily activities but also organizational structures. As advanced tools support strategic decision-making, medical content review, insight analysis, and cross-functional alignment, many companies are rethinking the number of leadership layers needed in Medical Affairs.
This is especially relevant for roles such as:
- Directors of Medical Affairs
- Senior Directors
- Executive Directors
- Vice Presidents and above
With average U.S. salaries for Medical Affairs leadership roles often exceeding $350,000, the financial incentive to streamline is significant (2). AI has started to replace some of the typical activities these positions traditionally have been responsible for, decreasing the need for multiple layers of management (1). Some organizations are no longer just asking what AI can do; they are asking who AI might eventually displace (1).
Table 2: Will the number of Medical Affairs leadership roles (e.g., Directors, VPs) be significantly reduced in the next few years as a result of AI?
| Response | Percentage |
|---|---|
| YES – MAJOR reduction in numbers | 16% |
| YES – MINOR reduction in numbers | 39% |
| NO – numbers remain the same | 45% |
| N = 520 |
A combined 55% of those working in Medical Affairs anticipate reductions in the number of Medical Affairs leadership roles, with 16% predicting a major reduction and 39% expecting a minor reduction. As AI continues to support strategic decision-making, insight analysis, and content review, many traditional leadership functions may no longer be necessary.
Interestingly, 45% indicated that the number of leadership roles will remain the same. While this may demonstrate confidence in the perceived value of leadership, similar to the previous question, it also suggests that a portion of the Medical Affairs community could be underestimating the amount of disruption that may occur and the impact of AI.
Is AI Making It Harder to Land Your Next Medical Affairs Role?
AI is not only transforming how Medical Affairs departments function but also reshaping the job market for those working in Medical Affairs. As companies increasingly automate tasks and redefine role expectations, applicants will likely encounter a more competitive hiring environment.
Table 3: Compared to previous job searches, how difficult is it to find your next role in Medical Affairs?
| Response | Percentage |
|---|---|
| More Difficult: AI adoption | 22% |
| More Difficult: other reasons | 47% |
| No Change | 24% |
| Less Difficult | 7% |
| N = 136 |
The data clearly demonstrates that it has become more difficult to find new roles. Overall, 69% of respondents report greater difficulty finding new positions, with 22% specifically citing AI as a factor. As typical activities become automated and strategic activities are increasingly supported by technology, the number of available roles may decline, and competition for remaining positions will likely intensify. The data indicates that AI is being perceived as already impacting the hiring dynamics across the Medical Affairs job market.
What Technology Leaders Are Warning Us About
These challenges are not unique to Medical Affairs. They reflect a much broader and accelerating trend across various industries, especially in white-collar, knowledge-based professions. Numerous technology and business leaders have recently issued stark warnings that are highly relevant to anyone in Medical Affairs, particularly those in roles that rely heavily on strategic planning, content development, or data synthesis.
Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google, recently stated: “If you’re an artist, a teacher, a physician, a businessperson, a technical person, if you’re not using this technology, you’re not going to be relevant compared to your peer groups and your competitors and the people who want to be successful. Adopt it, and adopt it fast (2).”
Jim Farley, CEO of Ford, issued a stark prediction: “Artificial intelligence is going to replace literally half of all white-collar workers in the U.S. (3).”
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI (ChatGPT), stated that AI is now capable of performing tasks “typically expected of the smartest grads with a doctorate (4).”
Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, warned that “AI could wipe out half of all entry-level white-collar jobs and spike unemployment to 10 to 20% in the next one to five years (5).”
What Medical Affairs Must Do Now
These statements highlight the urgency for those working in Medical Affairs to adapt. Roles involving data interpretation, scientific content development, internal workflow management, or operational strategy oversight are at high risk of being redefined or replaced. The implications are clear: ignoring AI is not an option.
The expected dramatic disruption across various industries and professions due to the expanding capabilities of AI seems inevitable. For those working in Medical Affairs to remain relevant and continue to deliver strategic value, they must proactively engage with emerging technologies, develop new skills, and emphasize what AI cannot duplicate: human insight, clinical empathy, contextual judgment, authenticity, emotional intelligence, and trusted relationships with KOLs.
While the function of Medical Affairs will remain essential, the number of positions needed to fulfill various responsibilities will likely decrease. Those who want to stay relevant must embrace adaptability, continuous learning, and a willingness to lead through this unprecedented change.
Medical Affairs is not obsolete, but it is being redefined. The time to adapt is now!
References
- Medical Science Liaison Society. (2024). Field Medical Affairs: Perceptions and utilization of artificial intelligence. https://themsls.org/msl-benchmarking-reports/
- Medical Science Liaison Society. (2024). Global MSL & field medical affairs salary and compensation survey. https://themsls.org/medical-science-liaison-salary-compensation/
- Leswing, K. (2025, April 23). Eric Schmidt says ignoring AI will make workers irrelevant. Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/eric-schmidt-ignore-ai-risk-irrelevance-workers-jobs-google-ted-2025-5
- McCormick, J. (2025, May 2). AI is coming for white-collar jobs, says Ford CEO Jim Farley. The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/ai-white-collar-job-loss-b9856259
- Hijazi, Y. (2025, June 20). OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says AI can do work of smartest PhDs, upending entry-level jobs. Fortune. https://fortune.com/2025/06/20/openai-ceo-sam-altman-ai-phds-entry-level-corporate-job-cuts-what-is-left-gen-z-college-gradautes
- Fried, I. (2025, May 28). Anthropic CEO: AI could replace half of entry-level white-collar jobs. Axios. https://www.axios.com/2025/05/28/ai-jobs-white-collar-unemployment-anthropic
About the author:
Samuel Dyer, MD, PhD
Dr. Samuel Dyer is the CEO of the Medical Science Liaison Society and has over 25 years of international MSL experience. During his career, he has managed MSL teams and operations in over sixty countries across the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Australia, and New Zealand. He has facilitated the successful launch of pharmaceutical and medical device products for both Fortune 500 pharmaceutical companies and small biotechnology companies.
Dr. Dyer has coached, interviewed, and reviewed the CVs of countless aspiring MSLs. His insights and guidance have resulted in hundreds of aspiring MSLs successfully breaking into their first roles.
While leading the MSL Society, he has conducted MSL training programs for over 75 pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies in more than 15 countries. Dr. Dyer has also written extensively on the Medical Science Liaison profession, including numerous published articles, benchmark studies, and reports. He has been the keynote speaker and moderated numerous international conferences on various MSL–related topics, including creating teams, management, MSL training, proper utilization of MSLs, global trends, and the KPIs and metrics used to measure MSL performance. Dr. Dyer has also served as a resource and consultant on several MSL–related projects for several organizations, including McKinsey & Company and Bain & Company.
Dr. Dyer has an MD from Washington University (Health & Science) School of Medicine, a PhD in Health Sciences from Touro University, a Master’s degree in Tropical Biology (where he studied in the Amazon) from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of the State of New York. Dr. Dyer also completed a certificate program for Executive Leadership and Strategy in Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology at the Harvard Business School.
Dr. Dyer is the author of the multi-award-winning and Amazon #1 Best Seller, The Medical Science Liaison Career Guide: How to Break into Your First Role (https://amzn.to/4aoYcZp).
The book is the first and only step-by-step guide on how to break into the MSL profession and it has received multiple prestigious awards, including:
- 2024 Winner of the American Legacy Book Awards in the Business: Careers category.
- 2024 “Gold Award” Winner – Literary Titan Book Awards in the Career category.
- 2023 “Best Book” Winner – Pinnacle Book Achievement Award in the Career Development category.
He is also the author of the Medical Science Liaison Job Application Tracking & Interview Self-Evaluation Journal (https://amzn.to/49n6MGR).
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