Artificial Intelligence in Transforming Pharmacy Education - A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative technological advancement with significant implications for healthcare and pharmaceutical sciences. In pharmacy education, AI-driven tools and digital learning systems are reshaping conventional teaching methodologies, assessment techniques, research training, and clinical skill development. Technologies such as machine learning, natural language processing, virtual simulations, intelligent tutoring systems, robotics, predictive analytics, and generative AI are increasingly being integrated into pharmacy curricula to enhance student engagement, personalized learning, competency-based education, and evidence-based clinical decision-making. AI also supports pharmaceutical research, drug discovery, pharmacovigilance, medication management, and patient-centered care, thereby influencing the competencies expected from future pharmacists. Despite its advantages, challenges including ethical concerns, data privacy, algorithmic bias, digital literacy gaps, infrastructure limitations, and regulatory issues remain significant barriers to widespread adoption. This review comprehensively discusses the role of AI in transforming pharmacy education, its applications, benefits, challenges, ethical considerations, future perspectives, and implications for educators, students, institutions, and healthcare systems. The review further highlights the need for curriculum restructuring, faculty training, interdisciplinary collaboration, and policy development to effectively integrate AI into pharmaceutical education and practice.