ACDM AI Symposium

5th Annual ACDM Symposium on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Clinical Trials

23rd & 24th June 2026 in London, UK

The 5th Annual ACDM Symposium on AI in Clinical Trials returned to London, building on the success of its previous editions. Since the inaugural event in London, followed by Copenhagen, Basel, and Frankfurt, each symposium has brought together attendees from Pharma, CROs, and technology providers, fostering insightful discussions and knowledge sharing.

The 2026 event continued this tradition, offering real-life case studies, innovative training streams, expert panels, and ample networking opportunities, further advancing the role of AI in clinical trials.

Watch our Highlights Video:

Thank You to our Sponsors

Networking Sponsor
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Premier Sponsor

Programme

Discover the sessions that were designed to balance insight, discussion and practical learning. The AI Symposium covered topics including agentic AI, AI strategy, the next phase of clinical trials, real-world deployment journeys and more.

Speakers

Meet the expert speakers who took to the stage at the AI Symposium.

Steering Group

A huge thank you to our Steering Group who are working hard to put together this year’s programme:

Ashley Howard

Pfizer

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Ashley Howard is a Senior Director and Strategic Operations Lead for the AI Task Force within Clinical Development & Operations at Pfizer, bringing over 16 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry. In this role, Ashley leads enterprise-wide efforts to embed artificial intelligence into the clinical development lifecycle – driving operational transformation, accelerating decision-making, and unlocking the full value of clinical data at scale.

With a strong foundation in Clinical Data Sciences and a proven track record of delivering complex, data-driven programmes, Ashley specialises in bridging strategy and execution – translating emerging technologies into tangible business impact. Ashley is passionate about reimagining end-to-end processes, moving beyond point solutions to design integrated, AI-enabled operating models that improve efficiency, quality, and patient outcomes.

A recognised leader and collaborator, Ashley works extensively across cross-functional teams and industry partners to shape the future of digital clinical development, with a focus on advancing how data and AI enable more efficient, high-quality, and patient-centric research.

Jennifer Duff

Zelta Trials | Merative

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A recognized leader in the life sciences industry, known for their ability to articulate a clear vision, set the strategic direction of an organization and deliver tangible outcomes. Inspired by innovative solutions that deliver improved business and research outcomes, and (often) challenge industry norms. Over 29 years of experience in the industry, including 18 years of experience delivering global outsourced clinical trials services on behalf of pharma clients in the life sciences industry and 5 years growing a market-leading life sciences technology solutions business.

Rich Davies

CluePoints

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My connection to the world of clinical data management began when I was at university. My course was Computer Science at De Montfort University in Leicester, and the course involved a placement year in industry during the third year. I secured a placement working at Fisons Pharmaceuticals in Loughborough, working in the clinical data management department helping to implement a new system that they had recently acquired, called Clintrial. Having finished my degree I went back to work at Fisons before joining the company (BBN) who had created the Clintrial CDMS system. From there on I’ve worked in various suppliers of eClinical solutions.

I’ve spent a lot of time working with EDC systems (Phase Forward/Oracle) and watching the industry move from paper to electronic data capture. Along the way though I’ve had the chance to work with all kinds of supporting systems, such as Pharmacovigilance, PV Signal Detection, Phase I Clinic Automation, Late Phase EDC, Statistical Computing Environments, Clinical Repositories/Warehouses, ePRO, CTMS, Regulatory Management and now Risk-based Quality Management at CluePoints.

Marcus Schwabedissen

QFINITY

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Marcus Schwabedissen has spent nearly 30 years working in GxP-regulated life science and IT environments, including many years in global CRO settings such as PAREXEL. His work has focused on helping organizations use digital technologies in a reliable, compliant, and practical way.

With a background in computerized system validation, IT quality management, risk management, and regulatory compliance, Marcus brings a grounded perspective to the use of AI in regulated environments. His focus is on how established GxP principles can be applied to AI-enabled systems — including risk-based validation, data integrity, governance, supplier oversight, lifecycle management, and responsible use.

Through leadership roles in global CRO operations, healthcare IT, computerised validation, technology quality management, and technology quality assurance, he has gained practical insight into the opportunities and challenges of implementing new technologies in regulated settings. Today, as COO and consultant at QFINITY, Marcus supports life science organizations in approaching AI and advanced digital solutions in a controlled, quality-driven, and pragmatic way. In his day-to-day business as a consultant, he supports life science organizations in implementing AI-enabled systems in GxP environments in a risk-based, controlled, and audit-ready way — from AI governance and human oversight to risk management, CSV/CSA, lifecycle evidence, audit readiness, and management briefings.

Rob Nichols

NB Solutions

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Rob has extensive experience of delivering high quality strategic solutions to the pharmaceutical industry while working in first-in-class global clinical technology companies and Contract Research Organisations (CRO), as well as 7 years in the public health research departments of world leading academic organisations. Subsequently he has taken the knowledge gained while working for large established companies and applied in start-up, scale-up, and fast-growing ones in the eClinical space (including eDC, RBM and eCOA specialist companies). He now works as a strategic advisor and board member for pharma, CRO, and investment companies.

Robert King

Thermo Fisher Scientific

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Robert King has over 29+ years of industry experience and for the last 17 years he’s had global leadership roles in Data Management/Statistics and Clinical Development support functions. Where he’s been key a driver in developing and implementing corporate strategic direction across clinical development and eClinical technologies as well as gathering significant experience in the FSP marketplace.

He is presently an Executive Director at PPD accountable for the strategies and provision of client-specific customised solutions supporting clinical development.

The first 10 years of Robert’s career were at Roche, Scherer DDS and Pfizer doing various roles with increasing responsibilities within the Data Management and Statistical Programming functions. Before joining Eisai in 2002 as the EMEA Head of Biostatistics and Data Management before becoming the Global Head of Data Management after 2 years. After 7 years at Eisai Robert moved to ICON where he managed ICON’s global internal consultancy group consulting on topics as diverse as risk-based monitoring, eTMF/CTMS technologies and Corporate SOP oversight, before joining PPD in 2012.

Robert first started supporting the ACDM back-in 1993 on the Technical and Conference sub-committee, which included helping organise the ACDM’s first ever conference and he also joined the ACDM board in 2000. After 11 years of supporting the ACDM in 2004 he decided it was time to “retire” from the ACDM to spend a little more time with his young twins.

Tim Armitage

Medidata

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Tim is an experienced technologist with over 30 years spent working with data in many different industry sectors across the globe. For the last 13 years, he has been working exclusively in the Healthcare and Life Sciences domain providing strategic advice and architecting technical solutions to help customers manage, understand and utilise the volume and diversity of data collected through healthcare encounters and clinical research.

Having worked with some of the leading Clinical Research software vendors Tim joined Medidata at the start of 2022 to manage and mentor the EMEA Enterprise Solution Consulting Team. The team provides support and guides our Enterprise customers as they discover and adopt our Life Science Solutions.

Tim holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Biology from University of Hertfordshire, UK and is currently studying for an MSc in Big Data and Data Analytics at the University of Liverpool, UK