The clinical research landscape is poised for a dramatic shift as artificial intelligence continues to embed itself into trial workflows. A key question emerges: Will AI make Contract Research Organizations (CROs) obsolete by 2036?
For smaller sponsors, CROs still offer essential training and infrastructure. But for larger sponsors, the necessity of CROs is increasingly under scrutiny. As automation evolves from a helpful tool to a potential replacement for traditional oversight, the industry must pinpoint the exact turning point.
This transformation could redefine the balance between site burdens and AI-driven research models, challenging the very role of CROs in the pharmaceutical and health tech sectors.