In Conversation: Exploring AI in Medical Affairs with Sarah Snyder
On this note, we recently had a conversation with Sarah Snyder, Medical Affairs Trainer at MSL Mastery, who helps medical affairs professionals excel in their careers and lives through training, consulting, coaching, etc.
In this interview, she shares her views on AI’s potential and how it can be applied to medical affairs. She also sheds light on how AI is widening the journey ahead and why oversight from medical affairs experts is essential.
Q: To begin with, can you tell us something about your role at MSL Mastery?
Snyder: I co-lead MSL Mastery, where we coach aspiring MSLs, train Medical Affairs teams, and help professionals grow their careers in ways that feel real and sustainable. We’re known for combining practical tools with a human approach. That includes everything from live workshops to AI support. Recently, we launched our own AI bot named Mira. She’s trained specifically for Medical Affairs professionals and has already helped people prep for interviews, plan KOL meetings, and even craft insight summaries. It’s been amazing to see how quickly people have leaned in.
Q: Can you highlight some key aspects of the evolving role of AI-powered solutions in Medical Affairs
Snyder: What we’re seeing right now is a shift. AI is no longer just a buzzword. It’s being used in the day-to-day grind. MSLs are using it to summarize clinical data, prep for congresses, and organize insights. Teams are starting to realize that if they don’t lean into this now, they’ll fall behind. And honestly, AI for Medical Affairs has become our most requested training topic. Some teams are brand new to it, others are experimenting quietly on their own, but the interest is everywhere. That tells me it’s no longer optional. It’s here, and here to stay.
Q: What is your thought process on the AI-human collaboration in the medical and healthcare domain?
Snyder: To me, it’s like having a really smart assistant who never sleeps. AI is great at pulling data, cleaning up your thoughts, organizing information. But it still needs you (the human) to lead the conversation, ask better questions, and build relationships. That’s why our approach is always AI with you, not instead of you. The best outcomes happen when you combine speed and structure with empathy and expertise.
Q: Despite the increasing use of AI in Medical Affairs, skepticism and hesitation remain, particularly among clinicians and the public. What is your thought process on this?
Snyder: Totally fair. When anything new shows up, especially in healthcare, people want to know it’s safe and useful. Skepticism is actually a sign that people care. But I’ve also seen that once someone tries a tool like Mira, something designed specifically for their world, they shift from hesitation to curiosity pretty fast. It’s not about flashy tech. It’s about giving people something that makes their job easier without removing the parts that matter most.
Q: While AI’s use in Medical Affairs is becoming increasingly common, some teams might still be surprised by its extent and impact. What’s been the most surprising thing you’ve heard from a team trying to adopt AI?
Snyder: The biggest surprise is usually, “Wait, we’re already using this?” Teams start poking around and realize half their MSLs have quietly been experimenting on their own. Whether it’s ChatGPT or Mira, people are already trying to work smarter. The gap is that they haven’t had structured training or a shared plan, which means they’re missing out on consistency, compliance, and confidence. That’s where we come in.
Q: Your team wants to use AI, but they’re stuck. How would you assist them? What advice would you give?
Snyder: Start small and focused. Pick one pain point like congress prep or insight summaries and build a basic workflow using AI. Keep it simple and low pressure. We’ve seen teams use AI for everything from email writing to ad board prep. The key is to build early confidence and give people permission to explore.
Q: What advice would you like to give future Medical Affairs professionals? With AI rapidly gaining attention, how do you think it will shape the medical domain in the next 5 to 10 years?
Snyder: If you’re coming into this field, your superpower will be combining scientific depth with digital fluency. You don’t have to become a coder. But you do need to understand how to work with AI, how to question it, and how to lead with your human edge.
The companies that invest in this now, who teach their teams how to use AI well, are the ones where people stay longer and feel more supported. And I’ll say this. We launched Mira just two weeks ago, and the response has blown us away. The interest is massive. People are ready. They just need someone to help them start.
