A decade into the “AI revolution” in biotech, massive investments totaling upwards of $50 billion haven’t yet resolved uncertainty about the technology’s true impact on the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. While a new wave of tech-driven biotech leaders like Demis Hassabis and Daphne Koller have set their eyes on reshaping the industry, innovation brings volatility and mindset clashes between tech-centered and science-focused views. Future biotech leaders must bridge tech and industry realities, focus on smart AI use cases and data strategy, and center their approach around AI literacy while balancing human and machine skills.