Pharma Sessionspodcast
Data, AI, and the Future of Field Training with Annel Duckels from BMS
Thursday, September 24, 2026
In this episode, Jonathan sits down with Annel Duckels, who leads worldwide commercialization learning at Bristol Myers Squibb, to talk about modernizing pharma training through data and AI.
- Annel's unconventional path into pharma L&D after a career in mining and heavy engineering — and what that industry taught her about listening to frontline workers
- Why pharma lagged decades behind other industries in training technology, and what that reveals about corporate priorities
- Moving past "check-the-box" training: building programs from the bottom up instead of top down
- Designing individualized learning experiences instead of one-size-fits-all content
- How AI creates a "safe space" for reps to practice and get anonymous, judgment-free feedback
- Why clean CRM and call-note data is the invisible foundation of every AI training strategy
- How AI is changing HCP engagement as physicians increasingly self-serve medical literature
- Using AI to scale and personalize learning content development
- Giving reps granular, per-conversation performance feedback — beyond what any manager could deliver manually
- A look ahead: what pharma L&D and field enablement could look like a year from now
Pharma Sessions is hosted by Jonathan Kaskey
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