Boehringer Ingelheim Hosts Inaugural AI Summit At Ridgefield Campus

**News Release Submitted by Boehringer Ingelheim**

Nov. 22, 2024

On November 22, 2024, Boehringer Ingelheim and BioCT joined forces to host the first-ever Artificial Intelligence Summit at Boehringer’s Ridgefield campus. Designed to position Connecticut as a hub for AI innovation, the event gathered leaders from technology, healthcare, and education, as well as policymakers to explore the transformative impact of AI across various sectors.

The day began with opening remarks from Jean-Michel Boers, U.S. Human Pharma Head at Boehringer Ingelheim, and Jodie Gillon, President & CEO of BioCT. Their speeches set the tone for a packed agenda of discussions and learning. The first highlight was a panel titled “AI Today: Innovations and Realities in Connecticut.” Featuring industry leaders and state officials, the panel examined the rapid advancements in AI technology and its significant implications, particularly in healthcare.

“Our AI Summit – in partnership with BioCT – provided us with an invaluable opportunity to bring together healthcare and IT industry, academia and government to discuss how we foster AI innovation, while mitigating potential risks,” said Jean-Michel Boers, Country Managing Director, U.S. Human Pharma, Boehringer Ingelheim. “Conversations like this help generate understanding, ensure we have the right economic climate to spur AI growth in Connecticut, identify workforce gaps and showcase opportunities to more rapidly bring treatments to patients.”

The summit offered a variety of breakout sessions, diving deeper into the practical and ethical aspects of AI. One session focused on best practices for AI implementation, addressing patient privacy, data security, and guidelines for responsible use. Another explored how AI tools can empower patients to navigate the complexities of the healthcare system, improve engagement, and enhance personalized care.

Other sessions spotlighted cutting-edge applications in research and development, showcasing AI's role in accelerating drug discovery, streamlining clinical trials, and solving pressing healthcare challenges. Additional discussions included the intersection of AI and higher education in Connecticut, as well as leveraging AI to strengthen connections between providers and patients.

“In the pharmaceutical industry, the success rate of drug candidates is less than 10 percent. While this high failure rate results in years of learning across the research and development process, it also means patients are waiting for treatment,” said Xiaorong He, SVP, Site Head Development US, Head of Global Development Science, Boehringer Ingelheim. “AI is revolutionizing this process and could significantly accelerate drug discovery and development, improving efficiency and reducing costs. We are proud to bring together experts across the Connecticut life sciences to address how we harness the potential of AI for the patients we collectively serve.”

The event concluded with a summary of key insights and a call to action for ongoing innovation and cross-sector collaboration. Organizers stressed the need for inclusivity in the AI ecosystem to ensure that advancements benefit diverse populations.

The Artificial Intelligence Summit was more than just a one-day conference; it marked a significant step in shaping the role of AI in Connecticut and beyond. Boehringer Ingelheim and BioCT’s focus on AI and collective problem-solving showcased their commitment to developing solutions that address real-world challenges while advancing healthcare innovation.

“As the life sciences trade organization for the State of CT, AI is BioCT’s largest area of growth – whether its applications within our current member base or new startups and tech hubs growing here. We are thrilled to be partnering with Boehringer Ingelheim and glad they opened their campus for all to see the innovation happening here that will transcend to improve patient outcomes all over the globe. We had founders and CEOs fly in from as far as California, making this a national event and almost 50 legislators carved out the day to engage so that we become a worldwide AI leader,” said Jodie Gillon, President and CEO of BioCT.