WCG’s 2026 Clinical Research Trends and Insights Report found that only about one-third of organizations currently use AI across a meaningful share of their clinical trials, yet 92% plan to increase that investment within the next two years. The report frames four operational priorities: AI and machine learning integration, site and investigator readiness, participant experience, and the logistics of cell and gene therapies. An ICON survey of more than 100 principal investigators conducted in mid-2025 found that 55% of respondents reported site activation taking longer than five months after selection. The FDA’s January 2025 draft guidance on AI supporting regulatory decision-making signals the agency is building an evaluative framework. The global AI in clinical trials market is projected to reach $3.32 billion in 2026. The report argues that moving from participant-centric design to participant-driven design improves retention and data quality simultaneously.