Sanofi CEO Warns Against 'AI Washing': The Need for Ethical AI in Healthcare Innovation
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionize industries worldwide, its potential in healthcare is particularly profound. From improving access to care and accelerating drug discovery to addressing physician burnout, AI promises to reshape the medical landscape. However, Sanofi’s CEO Paul Hudson recently warned business leaders to temper their AI enthusiasm and avoid the growing trend of "AI washing"—the practice of overselling AI’s capabilities without fully understanding or mitigating its risks.
Speaking at Fortune’s Global Forum in New York City, Hudson emphasized the importance of executives providing realistic expectations regarding AI's role in their companies. “There is a lot of AI washing, with CEOs talking about AI projects that aren't fully thought through,” Hudson remarked. “While the potential is vast, we must ensure we’re not creating inflated perceptions of AI’s immediate impact.”
For Hudson, managing AI responsibly is essential, particularly in healthcare. He advocates for clear guidelines and structures to ensure AI is being used effectively and ethically. Sanofi, one of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical giants, has set up an AI ethical review board through which all AI projects must pass before implementation. "You have to have rules of the game," Hudson said, urging businesses to be more sophisticated in how they approach and calibrate AI technologies.
Sanofi’s Strategic Shift: Focusing on Biopharma Innovation
Sanofi, ranked 297th on the Fortune Global 500, has recently made a strategic move to focus even more on innovation in biopharma, divesting 50% of its consumer healthcare business, Opella. This pivot is a clear signal that the company is betting on the future of drug development, with AI playing a central role in this vision.
Hudson sees AI's role in healthcare as twofold: "expert AI" and "snackable AI." These terms outline the ways in which AI can make a tangible impact in both specialized and everyday settings.
Expert AI: Accelerating Drug Discovery
“Expert AI” refers to the technology’s capacity to make breakthroughs in structural biology and drug discovery. AI can help scientists identify key molecules, making the process of discovering drugs for complex diseases faster and more efficient. According to Hudson, AI can enhance the precision of drug development, cutting down the time and cost traditionally associated with creating new medications. By applying AI to research, Sanofi hopes to tackle some of the most pressing medical challenges, from cancer treatments to rare genetic disorders.
“AI is not just about automating tasks. It’s about empowering scientists with tools that help them explore new frontiers in medicine,” Hudson explained.
Snackable AI: Empowering Everyday Healthcare Decisions
While “expert AI” tackles the future of drug development, "snackable AI" is about integrating technology into daily life in practical, actionable ways. Hudson likened this form of AI to how apps like Waze provide real-time directions to drivers, guiding them with small, impactful decisions on the road. Similarly, "snackable AI" can help people make smarter, more informed healthcare choices in real time.
For instance, AI can assist users in making everyday decisions about their health, from managing medications to tracking symptoms. Hudson pointed to the 18,000 Sanofi customers who already use AI in this "snackable" format every day, helping them with things like medication adherence or lifestyle choices. "At scale, AI can help democratize access to healthcare data, making it more personal and tailored," he said. "It will help people make better decisions and access resources they otherwise might not have."
Related: Ensuring Excellence in Healthcare with Data Quality Management
The Future of AI in Healthcare: Transparency and Risk Management
As AI becomes more embedded in healthcare, Hudson acknowledges that its potential is immense. However, he urges executives to be transparent about both the promises and the limitations of the technology. “AI is a huge opportunity, and we can’t deny that. But we must be vigilant in managing the risks that come with it,” Hudson warned. "It’s important for businesses to distinguish between what’s possible today and what might be possible in the future."
As the healthcare sector continues to grapple with challenges such as physician burnout, access to care, and the rising costs of treatment, AI presents a promising solution to many of these issues. However, Hudson stresses that businesses must approach AI implementation with caution, ensuring it is used ethically and responsibly. By avoiding AI washing and focusing on meaningful applications of the technology, the healthcare industry can truly unlock AI's potential to benefit patients, providers, and society as a whole.
Sanofi’s Vision for the Future
Sanofi’s commitment to harnessing the power of AI to solve complex healthcare problems is evident in its ongoing investments in biopharma innovation. With Hudson at the helm, the company is positioning itself to lead the way in the ethical integration of AI, focusing on both advanced drug discovery and accessible, everyday healthcare tools.
As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, AI’s role will undoubtedly expand. But for it to reach its full potential, businesses must avoid overselling its capabilities and instead focus on implementing practical, transparent, and ethical AI applications. For Sanofi, the future of healthcare is not just about advanced technology—it’s about using that technology to make a tangible, positive impact on people’s lives.
