The life sciences sector has increasingly moved beyond the experimental phase with regard to many digital technologies. Artificial intelligence, data platforms and automation are already being used in numerous areas of business and are delivering demonstrable economic benefits.

Our “Global Tech Report 2026: Life Sciences” shows how companies in the sector are using AI and other digital technologies, what their key investment priorities are, and what challenges exist in scaling digital initiatives and realising their potential.

This is an extract from the cross-sector KPMG Global Tech Report 2026, for which KPMG surveyed 2,500 tech professionals from 24 countries and across eight sectors.

Life sciences companies have made significant progress in the use of AI. The task now is to derive greater value from these investments and initiatives.

Marko Vogel

Partner, Consulting – Cyber Security & Resilience, Consulting Lead for Life Sciences & Chemicals

KPMG AG Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft

Key findings of the study

Day-to-day AI

AI has become part of day-to-day operations

87 per cent of the life sciences companies surveyed have already integrated AI agents into their processes, products and services.

AI Applications

High levels of trust in AI applications

Three out of four respondents (75 per cent) trust AI outcomes when making strategic and operational decisions.

Investments

Targeted investments rather than large budgets

97 per cent of companies invest less than one per cent of their annual turnover in digital technologies. The priorities are the modernisation of existing systems and investment in cyber security, AI, automation and the expansion of data and analytics capabilities.

Challenges

Value realisation is evident, but scaling remains a challenge

Almost half of companies (48 per cent) are already deriving significant value from technology investments, particularly through efficiency gains and operational improvements. At the same time, digital initiatives generate less than 1 per cent of annual turnover for 93 per cent of companies – a clear indication of untapped potential for scaling and growth.

Day-to-day AI AI Applications Investments Challenges

Day-to-day AI

AI has become part of day-to-day operations

87 per cent of the life sciences companies surveyed have already integrated AI agents into their processes, products and services.

AI Applications

High levels of trust in AI applications

Three out of four respondents (75 per cent) trust AI outcomes when making strategic and operational decisions.

Investments

Targeted investments rather than large budgets

97 per cent of companies invest less than one per cent of their annual turnover in digital technologies. The priorities are the modernisation of existing systems and investment in cyber security, AI, automation and the expansion of data and analytics capabilities.

Challenges

Value realisation is evident, but scaling remains a challenge

Almost half of companies (48 per cent) are already deriving significant value from technology investments, particularly through efficiency gains and operational improvements. At the same time, digital initiatives generate less than 1 per cent of annual turnover for 93 per cent of companies – a clear indication of untapped potential for scaling and growth.

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Report

KPMG Global Tech Report 2026: Life Sciences

A snapshot on technology adoption, investment and value realization.

Methodological notes

The findings in this report are drawn from the „KPMG Global Tech Report 2026“, a survey of 2,500 tech professionals across 24 countries and eight sectors. The survey respondents represented organisations with an annual operating budget or turnover of over US$100 million and comprised a diverserange of technology executives, including Chief Data Officers, Chief Digital Officers, CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, Chief AI Officers and others.

For the “KPMG Global Tech Report 2026: Life Sciences” , 124 technology executives from large and medium-sized pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical technology companies, as well as from sales and distribution firms and contract research organisations, were surveyed.