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Consumers of popular culture in the 1960s and 1970s preferred their artificial intelligence (AI) to come with overtones of danger, if not outright world domination, judging by small- and large-screen science fiction artifacts ranging from episodes of the original Star Trek series to movies like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Colossus: The Forbin Project. All these decades later, amidst a burst of new applications of AI to tasks large and small—including in the realm of clinical research—the questions behind most people’s concerns about the technology, whether stemming from mild curiosity to serious opposition, may seem downright prosaic in comparison to those raised in earlier times. 

Negotiate and collect fair payment for your work by understanding its true costs before budget discussions. Cover all direct and indirect expenses, leverage historical data, plan for future costs, and ensure favorable payment terms to protect your financial interests.

The benefits of diversity and inclusion in clinical research are widely recognized, yet the financial and operational costs of these efforts are often overlooked. Practical strategies are needed to identify and mitigate these hidden costs, helping organizations create effective and sustainable strategies. These will be more important than ever if current U.S. Food and Drug Administration draft guidance on diversity action plans eventually goes into effect.

Clinical research complexity continues to rise, but collaboration between research stakeholders is not keeping pace. This was one of several findings that came to light in a recent survey of more than 200 clinical research professionals across the enterprise, revealing disconnects that could hinder trial execution in 2025 and beyond. 

Sure, annual conference gatherings like the one coming your way this April in the form of ACRP 2025 in New Orleans, La., are trustworthy providers of a multitude of continuing education opportunities through sessions, workshops, and keynote presentations, but let’s not forget the value they bring in terms of basic human contact in these times of remote and hybrid work. First-time attendees to an ACRP conference may be surprised by how much the networking moments available in the meeting rooms, corridors, exhibit hall, and special event spaces will add to their overall conference experience in both the short and long term—so some veterans of attending such functions advise newcomers to be prepared.