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Sam Khalil

Speaker

Sam Khalil

2

talks

Co-Founder & Managing Director ekona.ai

Sam Khalil is a healthcare leader and digital innovator with over 15 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, now co-founder and Managing Director of ekona, a Swiss AI engineering boutique launched in 2025.

Drawing on a career spanning technology, clinical development, and business strategy, Sam helps organizations harness AI and data to solve complex challenges and accelerate innovation.

Before co-founding ekona, Sam served as Vice President and Head of the FounData AI platform at Novo Nordisk, where he led the development of advanced AI-powered systems to transform clinical data into actionable insights.

Prior to that, at Novartis, he spearheaded the creation of data42, one of the industry’s first platforms providing enterprise-wide access to curated data from over 2,900 clinical trials. His earlier roles involved launching blockbuster drugs, leading global medical affairs teams and managing large-scale preclinical and clinical research programs. Sam is also a strong advocate for responsible AI, with deep experience designing ethical, transparent, and scalable AI systems for healthcare.

Bio from: Big Data LDN 2025

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Talks & appearances

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Face To Face
with Sam Khalil (ekona.ai) , Kshitij Kumar (Data-Hat AI) , David Reed (DataIQ) , Jane Smith (ThoughtSpot) , Dr. Joe Perez (NC Dept of Health & Human Services) , Anusha Adige (EY)

As AI agents become embedded in everyday workflows — from healthcare diagnostics to financial services chatbots — the line between human and machine continues to blur. This panel brings together industry leaders to tackle the tough questions:

• How do we trust AI agents in high-risk environments?

• What are the new rules of ownership and accountability when autonomous systems act on data?

• Is AI replacing or enhancing the human workforce — and how do we keep the balance right?

We'll unpack how AI agents are evolving across sectors, debate whether the current LLM paradigm is enough, and explore the new guardrails needed to futureproof agentic AI — without losing control.

This presentation will explore the cutting-edge applications of generative AI within the highly regulated landscape of pharmaceuticals, highlighting the potential benefits for patient care while addressing the challenges of compliance and ethical standards. At the heart of this discussion lies Novo Nordisk's pioneering work in constructing a multi-modal clinical data platform designed for the secondary use of data. This platform is particularly crucial for the cultivation of high-quality datasets that are integral to the success of generative AI. The presentation will introduce the concept of AI agents - intelligent systems equipped with the capabilities of planning, utilizing tools, and accessing memory. Moreover, the session will highlight the crucial role AI agents play in bridging the data literacy gap among teams within the pharmaceutical sector. By facilitating a deeper understanding of data, these agents empower professionals across disciplines to collaborate more effectively and make strides towards transformative healthcare solutions. 

Attendees will gain valuable perspectives on how to responsibly harness the power of generative AI to accelerate clinical breakthroughs, ensuring that ethical considerations and regulatory requirements are met.