Pfizer Appoints Former NVIDIA Executive Berta Rodriguez-Hervas as Chief AI and Analytics Officer

Recently, Pfizer appointedBerta Rodriguez-HervasJoin its digital leadership team, serving asChief Artificial Intelligence and Analytics Officer（ Chief AI and Analytics Officer）。

At the same time,Berta Rodriguez-HervasWill become the pharmaceutical groupArtificial Intelligence CommitteeThe new co-chair.

Figure:Berta Rodriguez-Hervas

Rodriguez-Herva holds a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Texas.Before joining Pfizer, she worked at an automotive group.Stellantis, Tesla, and tech giant NVIDIAHold a senior position.

Pfizer stated that she brings "an extensive background in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and analytics, with a strong track record in the rapid development of AI solutions and delivering them at scale within large global organizations."

Before joining Pfizer, she served as the Vice President of Artificial Intelligence, Algorithms, and Machine Learning Operations at Stellantis, an automotive giant formed in 2021 through the merger of Fiat Chrysler and French PSA. The company owns a range of automotive brands, including Alfa Romeo, Citroën, Dodge, Jeep, Maserati, Vauxhall/Opel, and Peugeot.

Pfizer's Chief Digital Officer Fonseca stated"I believe that Berta’s leadership and fresh perspective will continue to elevate our enterprise AI strategy and capabilities to new heights, accelerating the achievement of breakthroughs that transform patients’ lives."

Pfizer is actively deploying artificial intelligence and related technologies to accelerate the discovery and development of drugs and vaccines, including improving the design of clinical trials and enhancing the efficiency of internal processes through the use of intelligent automation.

For example,Pfizer Establishes “Machine Learning Research Center”（WRDM Machine Learning Research Hub）, hoping to lead the biopharmaceutical industry into the next wave of innovation.

In terms of external collaborations, Pfizer has shown great enthusiasm in target discovery, drug development, and clinical trials.

As early as 2016, Pfizer reached a cooperation with IBM,One of the first companies in the world to utilize the Watson platform for Drug Discovery, leveraging Watson's machine learning and other technologies for identifying new drug targets, researching combination therapies, and developing patient selection strategies.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chinese company XtalPi utilized AI technology to identify the optimal crystal form of Pfizer's oral antiviral drug PAXLOVID in approximately six weeks, accelerating the drug's development.

Chart: Zhiyao Bureau

During the development of the COVID-19 vaccine, Pfizer expanded its clinical trial to over 46,000 participants across six countries, with more than 153 trial sites, becoming one of the first companies globally to release Phase III clinical trial data.

Managing such large-scale clinical trials and data while ensuring efficiency would not have been possible without the use of AI. Afterwards, Pfizer also increased its investment in clinical research.

Pfizer Empowers Clinics with AI

Pfizer's Collaboration in Data

Following a wave of chief digital officer appointments in the past few years, companies,Healthcare systems and government agencies are increasingly seeking to add a dedicated Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO)., to ensure keeping up with the artificial intelligence wave.

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