AI Adoption Is Failing Because Leaders Ignore Experimentation: featuring Teresa Eastwood-Kiefer

AI Adoption for Business Leaders to Build Real Systems That Drive Productivity with Ruby Kansagra

In this episode of the Digital Adoption Accelerator podcast, host Jake Herway sits down with Ruby Kansagra [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruby-kansagra-93381a189/], Regulatory Portfolio Content Lead at Roche [https://www.linkedin.com/company/roche/], to explore how AI is transforming regulatory content workflows. Ruby shares her journey from AI novice to leading a groundbreaking initiative at Roche to develop an AI-powered content authoring platform. Together, they discuss the challenges of implementing AI in highly regulated environments, the importance of design and user feedback, and how technology can augment human expertise.  Ruby Kansagra is the Regulatory Portfolio Content Lead at Roche, overseeing the ophthalmology portfolio and supporting medical device regulatory work. She currently leads an initiative to develop an AI platform designed to revolutionize how regulatory content is authored, with the goal of reducing cycle time and improving quality. Ruby combines expertise in regulatory processes with a forward-looking vision for AI implementation in life sciences. Key Takeaways * AI is a tool to augment humans, not replace them. The human-in-the-loop remains critical for success. * Design up front is crucial: thoughtful planning and iteration prevent costly mistakes later. * User feedback drives adoption: involving stakeholders early and often builds trust and prioritizes deal-breaker requirements. * Managing organizational expectations is as important as the technology itself - showing incremental progress matters. * Leaders can succeed in unfamiliar domains by leaning on curiosity, collaboration, and translation from technical experts. Episode Timestamps: [00:00] – Introduction To The Episode [02:03] – Guest Introduction [04:12] – How Roche Is Exploring AI Platforms [07:08] – Design & Human-Centered Approach [09:10] – Strategies For Balancing Speed And Thoroughness [11:01] – Addressing Pushback & Adoption Challenges [13:35] – Ruby Reflects On Her Growth From AI Novice To Initiative Leader [16:34] – Insights On Curiosity, Vulnerability, And Leading In Ambiguous Domains [18:18] – AI Platform In Production And Its Future Impact [19:21] – Closing Remarks Connect with Ruby Kansagra: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruby-kansagra-93381a189/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruby-kansagra-93381a189/] * Website (Company): https://www.roche.com/ [https://www.roche.com/] Connect with Jake Herway: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeherway/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeherway/] Follow ValueAdd Group: * Website: https://www.valueaddgroup.com/ [https://www.valueaddgroup.com/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/valueadd-group/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/valueadd-group/] Follow the Podcast: * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@valueaddgroup/podcasts [https://www.youtube.com/@valueaddgroup/podcasts] * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1v4xjAZstZYqocvmpU7ZRL?si=7a6a7703415c4ab8 [https://open.spotify.com/show/1v4xjAZstZYqocvmpU7ZRL?si=7a6a7703415c4ab8] * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/accelerating-digital-adoption-in-healthcare/id1815823125 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/accelerating-digital-adoption-in-healthcare/id1815823125]

AI Adoption Is Failing Because Leaders Ignore Experimentation: featuring Teresa Eastwood-Kiefer

In this episode of the Digital Adoption Accelerator Podcast, Jake Herway [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeherway/] speaks with Teresa Eastwood-Kiefer [https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresa-eastwood/], the Regulatory Data and Content Leader at Roche [https://www.roche.com/]. Teresa shares her experience with generative AI and automation in the pharmaceutical industry, focusing on how these technologies are helping deliver life-saving medicines faster to patients. The conversation explores Teresa’s journey, from her time in the Moab digital cohort to her current role at Roche, where she is leading efforts in AI adoption across the enterprise. She discusses the importance of fostering confidence, being open to experimentation, and creating an environment where AI technologies can be adopted in a meaningful, sustainable way. Key Takeaways:  * AI isn't about replacing jobs, but those who use AI will shape the future of industries, especially healthcare. * Confidence gained from collaborative learning and sharing experiences with leaders from diverse industries is crucial for fostering change. * Despite the hurdle to getting everyone involved from the beginning, it is essential - in fact, the only way for successful technology integration and scaling within organizations.  * While scaling AI solutions across organizations is challenging, focusing on gradual adoption and continuous improvement will lead to broader acceptance and effectiveness. * Embracing an experimental mindset allows organizations to redefine roles and workflows, resulting in more creative and efficient ways of working. Episode Timestamps: [00:00] – Episode Teaser [01:42] – Introduction to Teresa Eastwood-Kiefer [04:28] – The Power of Experiential Learning [08:00] – AI for Industry-Wide Change [10:42] – Building Confidence for AI Success [13:35] – Challenges in Scaling AI Solutions [17:20] – The Road to Sustainable Digital Transformation [20:59] – Teresa’s Thoughts and Future Vision Connect with Teresa Eastwood-Kiefer: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresa-eastwood/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresa-eastwood/] * Website (Company): https://www.roche.com/ [https://www.roche.com/] Connect with Jake Herway: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeherway/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeherway/] Follow ValueAdd Group: * Website: https://www.valueaddgroup.com/ [https://www.valueaddgroup.com/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/valueadd-group/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/valueadd-group/] Follow the Podcast: * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@valueaddgroup/podcasts [https://www.youtube.com/@valueaddgroup/podcasts] * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/accelerating-digital-adoption-in-healthcare/id1815823125 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/accelerating-digital-adoption-in-healthcare/id1815823125] * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1v4xjAZstZYqocvmpU7ZRL?si=7a6a7703415c4ab8 [https://open.spotify.com/show/1v4xjAZstZYqocvmpU7ZRL?si=7a6a7703415c4ab8]

Realizing Interoperability - Bo Lora, Former Amazon Principal Design Technologist

Bo has seen every corner of the tech world, and the natural world! With the accumulation of experience, insatiable curiosity, Bo has launched from Amazon to found Scientix.ai, next generation Ontology for Healthcare & Life Sciences. A humanist first, his unmatched AI and tech talent is approachable and real. Going after interoperability in data sets along the healthcare value chain and within the industry, Bo has leadership, AI, and life wisdom every leader needs to hear!

Sometimes It's About Being Bold! - Cenk Undey - iCMC Digital Transformation Lead, Sanofi

It’s not necessarily the technology as much, it’s really the digital mindset and how you think about digital and transforming. It’s really transforming the way you’re working. To be honest with you, how much of this is hype? How much of this is reality is something we need to sort out and be careful how we are using it. Biopharma is known to be a little slow adapting of these technologies, but even compared to other technologies that are slow to penetrate (GenAI) has a very big competitive edge. I see so many applications for AI but one thing that doesn’t change is in order for these things to work, you need to have a strong, very strong data foundation. Sometimes we call it AI-ready data. My personal horizon is to see end to end, research from molecule to patient, but then getting the feedback loop – patients, care takers, manufacturing, suppliers – to get your medicines faster, better, in cost-effective ways to the patient. I’ve been doing this for 30 years. Five, ten years ago this was a pipedream. With how digital capabilities have advanced and skill sets, this gives me hope. Everyone at every level is skilled, interested, and motivated to use these technologies and thinking ways how they can use it better. My colleagues in IT are learning more science. And my colleagues in science are learning more in digital. That’s another reason [for hope].What works for me to differentiate is I always talk about, “What can we do? We are doing something to carry out our core business. How can I do that more automated, simpler, so I can focus on more value-added things?” But how do you bring everyone along? One exercise from my UCLA Anderson gift is I apply what’s called bringing the future to present. You simulate, “What if we are there and actually living the moment. How would we experience it?” Once we see it together, it’s hugely empowering for the team. Sometimes it’s about being bold. Take on risks, proper risks, but then go for it and try!

Enabling scientists to focus on science - Benjamin Kaeser Head of Operations Roche Pharma

"Implementation beats knowledge every day of the week. Instead of landscaping and scoping over and over again, by the time you’re finished 30-40-50% is obsolete. My advice is take something, implement it. Add value as fast as you can. Don’t watch from the sidelines, just get it done and implement something that is useful for the organization." "We were able to create the space to step back, clear our minds, and do out of the box thinking gave it a fresh perspective on challenges that we all face. A powerful takeaway was realizing the potential we have when we join forces. When we collaborate across the industry we are not just tackling problems, we have the opportunity to shape the future of the industry together." "When we talk about digital adoption, most people talk about tech itself. What I’ve learned is it’s not the real challenge. The real challenge is us. The challenge really is our mindset. This is particularly important in this rapidly evolving healthcare sector we’re all working in." "We are the CEO of our own life, the pilot in command. If we are not driving the change and adopting digital solutions in healthcare, who will?" "A key part of embracing a digital mindset is not about become the tech expert. It’s really about seeing technology, especially AI, as a partner. Instead of seeing AI as a replacement of human work, I see it as a powerful tool. "A digital mindset isn’t just about being ready for the future, it’s about really actively building that future." "The outcomes are rooted in individual learning and also the coaching sessions which are based on the principles in the book Live with Intent. They helped me get out of my own way and be a better version of myself." "A key lesson is ownership creates freedom. When you truly own a project, you’re not just doing the work you have the freedom to shape it and really make a difference."