AI By Lee G. Swenson, PharmD, Founder and Managing Principal, Swenson Pharmacy Advisors, LLC
Lee is the founder and managing principal of Swenson Pharmacy Advisors (SPA), based in Minneapolis, MN.
With over a decade of diverse experience in the pharmacy sector, Lee has established a professional services fi rm dedicated to the career
advancement of pharmacy practitioners and student pharmacists. SPA specializes in providing strategic career advice and industry insights, fostering growth in non-traditional pharmacy practice settings.
IN Pharmacy
Preparing for the AI-Driven Future of Pharmacy
O
ur mission today is to explore the transformative impact that rapid advancements in artifi cial intelligence (AI) will have on the future of pharmacy practice. We’ll examine how AI
is set to redefi ne various roles and domains within pharmacy and conclude with practical strategies for how practitioners, organizations, and the healthcare marketplace can eff ectively prepare for this fast-approaching future. But before diving into the specifi cs, it’s important to step back and consider the broader context that will shape these changes.
A Framework for Understanding AI’s Impact When attempting to better understand a
new topic or issue, I’ve found it helpful to start by leveraging the following framework:
1. Start with the Macro View: Begin by
looking at the big picture and long-term trajectory. Consider where we are headed, what the fi nal outcome might be, how long it could take to get there, and the steps required along the way. 2. Prioritize Risk Assessment: Carefully
evaluate potential risks, as understanding and mitigating these risks is essential for making well-informed decisions. 3. Investigate the Past: Conduct a
thorough review of historical patterns to inform your thinking about the future— history oſt en repeats itself.
Applying this framework to the broader
landscape of AI enables us to explore its extensive implications more thoroughly, revealing the profound impact it will have on society, technology, and the way we live and work:
Start with the Macro View AI is driving a paradigm shiſt across
various aspects of life, fundamentally transforming how we work, interact, and innovate. As we consider the long-term trajectory, it’s evident that AI is guiding us toward a future characterized by heightened effi ciency, enhanced personalization, and deeper, increasingly interconnected collaboration between humans and machines. T ese key impacts are expected to unfold rapidly, with signifi cant changes emerging within this remaining decade. T e journey to this future involves navigating complex technological advancements and societal shiſt s. Understanding where we are headed and the potential outcomes, from improved healthcare to smarter cities, allows us to anticipate the necessary steps—such as policy development, ethical frameworks, and educational initiatives—that will guide AI’s evolution and ensure it aligns with our broader goals for society.
Prioritize Risk Assessment As AI advances at a blistering pace,
the associated risks grow increasingly complex and signifi cant. T ese risks encompass concerns about data privacy, security breaches, ethical dilemmas, job
displacement, and the reinforcement of existing biases. Additionally, at the extreme, there is the potential for AI systems to evolve beyond human understanding and, ultimately, beyond human control. For the fi rst time in history, we face the possibility that a creation of our own could surpass both individual and collective societal intelligence, operating in ways we cannot fully predict. T is scenario raises essential questions about accountability, the potential misuse of AI, and the need for robust governance frameworks. T orough, ongoing, and proactive risk assessments are essential to ensure that AI development remains not only innovative but also responsible, safe, and aligned with societal values. By carefully evaluating these risks, we can implement safeguards to prevent unintended consequences and guide AI development in a direction that benefi ts society as a whole.
Investigate the Past Understanding the future of AI requires
a deep dive into its historical evolution. From early theoretical concepts to current real-world applications, AI’s history reveals a pattern of ongoing technological development, initial societal resistance, and gradual integration into various sectors. Today, as AI begins to gain broader adoption, its transformative potential is becoming more widely recognized. However, we must recognize that, for the fi rst time in our understanding of the universe, humans—a biological lifeform—are creating an artifi cial intelligence that has
>> THE LEADING VOICE FOR THE MISSOURI PHARMACIST |
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