Where is the biggest workforce impact over the next 12–24 months?
At Merck, we believe that playtime is over. Companies are moving decisively from experimentation into agentic AI at enterprise scale and larger focus on measurable business and workforce outcomes — and this means everything the industry has been debating for years (role redesign, skills transformation, new operating models, efficiency gains,...) will now become real, fast, and at scale. With ~100 AI-enabled drugs already in clinical trials and the AI in life sciences market on track for ~20% CAGR through 2034, the window for gradual adaptation is closing — organisations that haven't yet accelerated their workforce readiness efforts will find themselves culturally and structurally behind.
How can leaders build trust while introducing AI into regulated, complex organisations?
More than ever, Leaders should lead this transformation with humanity: by providing clarity on where the organisation is going, why, what AI will and will not do, and how AI will be positive enabler for patients, customers, and employees. Because ambiguity in a regulated, complex environment breeds fear very fast, Leaders should also walk their talk: showing concrete, personal examples of how AI delivers positive outcomes, be honest on the fact that they themselves do not have all the answers, and actively invite all stakeholders — employees, works councils, regulators, and partners — to co-develop the future rather than receive it. Trust is not built through communication campaigns; it is built when people see their leaders acting with integrity, transparency, and the humility to say "we are building this together."
Which skills will become most critical as AI adoption accelerates?
Critically, organisations must be intentional and truly think end-to-end, break silo thinking and think mid-term when they precisely define where they want AI to deliver specific business outcomes — and equally, where they do not want AI — because undirected adoption creates compliance exposure, erodes trust, and diffuses value rather than concentrating it. Other critical skills to be reinforced will sit at the intersection of domain expertise and AI fluency — professionals who can holistically think where and how AI can bring value (vs. not) and see it as an opportunity to unlock human skills and value even more.
What are you most excited to share in your September presentation?
I'm excited to share Merck Group's journey from fragmented AI pilots to a focused, value-chain-led enterprise strategy — where AI and agentic systems are deliberately designed to reshape how work gets done, concentrating investment where it can truly move the business rather than generating activity without impact. We'll show examples of how Merck is redesigning work through agentic AI — building everyday AI fluency at scale across the organisation, while directing the largest agentic investments to the areas that create genuine competitive advantage. I will also share about our journey and our learnings to strive and position HR as the driver of our enterprise AI transformation.
One practical takeaway for attendees?
Start with the business problem. Build to share and scale with the end in mind.
Learn more about Alexis and his upcoming sessions here.
Connect with Europe’s Leading HR Innovators
Hear from senior HR leaders from across Europe who are actively shaping the AI-enabled workforce and redefining what success looks like in a new era of work.
Position Your Solution at the Core of Transformation
Collaborate with forward-thinking organisations and showcase how your offering can drive meaningful change across the evolving European life sciences landscape.
Secure Your Place & Leave with an Action Plan
Reserve your seat and walk away with practical, actionable insights you can implement immediately to accelerate your organisation’s workforce transformation.