Early Signals at ASCO 2026 | Beyond Digitization: How AI Is Transforming Clinical Trial Operations
If clinical trials are already digitized, why do clinical operations remain so complex, manual and resource-intensive?
In this episode of Early Signals, Wael Harb, MD, speaks with Ram Yalamanchili, Founder and CEO of Tilda Research, about the next frontier for AI in clinical trials: moving beyond digitization to tackle the operational complexity that can slow clinical development.


They explore how agentic AI and “AI teammates” can support clinical operations teams across complex workflows, from site startup and trial oversight to data management and regulatory activities. Rather than replacing clinical research professionals, these technologies are designed to take on repetitive coordination and operational tasks, creating greater capacity for teams to focus on work that requires human expertise.
The conversation also examines what successful AI adoption requires beyond the technology itself, including AI fluency, governance and human oversight. Ram shares examples of how AI-enabled clinical operations can potentially improve productivity, quality and timeliness and discusses where CROs and biopharma organizations may see the greatest near-term opportunities.