Future trends and the role of artificial intelligence in pharmaceutical project management

The pharmaceutical industry is undergoing rapid change, driven by increasing scientific complexity, stringent regulatory requirements, rising development costs, and shorter time to market. Conventional project management techniques, although foundational, are not sufficient for managing the uncertainty and scale of modern drug development. Artificial intelligence (AI), together with digital platforms, advanced analytics, and automation, is growing as a critical enabler of adaptive, data-driven pharmaceutical project management. This review critically examines current and emerging applications of AI across pharmaceutical project management, spanning research and development, clinical development, Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC), manufacturing, quality, and regulatory affairs. It also evaluates challenges related to data integrity, regulatory acceptance, ethics, and organizational readiness, and highlights future trends such as agile AI-driven management, digital twins, and generative AI. The article provides a future perspective relevant to industry professionals, academics, and policymakers.