Microsoft (MSFT)-backed OpenAI and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are exploring the potential of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into drug evaluation processes. A small team from OpenAI has been meeting with the FDA to discuss the dynamics of a project called “cderGPT.” CDER is short for Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, the body responsible for regulating over-the-counter and prescription drugs in the U.S.
The news was first reported by Wired, citing sources familiar with the matter. Surprisingly, these meetings were also attended by two members of billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), but the nature of their role remains unclear.
OpenAI-FDA Alliance on the Cards
The purpose of project cderGPT is to shorten the time taken for a medicine to hit the market, by using AI to accelerate drug evaluations. The joint meetings were led by FDA’s first-ever AI officer, Jeremy Walsh. Meanwhile, FDA commissioner Marty Makary posted an intriguing message on X on Wednesday, hinting at the possible collaboration. Makary stated, “Why does it take over 10 years for a new drug to come to market? Why are we not modernized with AI and other things?” He also said that the FDA had completed its very first AI-assisted scientific review of a product.
Is AI Ready for Use in Medicines?
Microsoft founder-turned-philanthropist Bill Gates recently stated that AI could take over the medicine industry within the next decade. Notably, AI is already being used by scientists and researchers to investigate new cures for incurable diseases. However, the process of drug discovery and development cannot be left completely in the hands of autonomous AI models, because they cannot be 100% accurate.
AI has been touted as a potential tool to expedite some of the most tedious and lengthy evaluation processes in a drug’s development pipeline. However, before widespread adoption, any potential AI tool in medicine must consistently produce accurate, reliable, and unbiased results when evaluating life-changing medicines.
Which Is the Best AI Stock to Invest in?
We leveraged TipRanks’ Stock Comparison Tool for Best AI Stocks to understand which companies are most favored by analysts. Investors can choose to invest in any of these stocks after thorough research.
Currently, Microsoft, Meta (META), Alphabet (GOOGL), Micron (MU), Amazon (AMZN), and Nvidia (NVDA) score Wall Street’s “Strong Buy” consensus rating, with MU stock offering the highest upside potential among them.
