Burnout, AI, and Bold Conversations from the Clinials Fireside Chat
At conferences, you usually get slides. Soundbites. Polished keynotes.
But at MAGI 2025, something shifted. The conversations were different, and so was the atmosphere. More open, more grounded, and, frankly, more human.
So we sat down to unpack it all.
In the inaugural episode of Clinials Insights, our CEO Maree Beare hosted a 25-minute fireside chat with three standout voices from the conference floor:
- Wesley Warren, Executive Director, Translational Research Strategy & Partnerships at City of Hope
- Tina Karunaratne, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Karuna ICS
- MaryAnn Bowman, Founder & CEO at ClinGro
Here’s what stood out and why you’ll want to listen in.
Setting the Scene: Not Another Recap
This wasn’t about panel summaries or product pitches. It was about the conversations behind the conversations, the moments that stuck with people long after the sessions ended.
“This year felt different,” Wes shared. “Less finger-pointing, more shared solutions.”
The clinical trials industry is going through a storm. But, these days, it’s a storm they are coming together to navigate.
Each speaker also brought their frontline view of what’s working, what’s burning out teams, and what needs to change. Urgently.
The Energy: Real, Relatable, and Raw
One of the most noticeable changes? The tone.
Across sessions, the industry showed up with more humility and fewer rehearsed lines.
Even mental health wasn’t a side topic, it was on the table.
“Being vulnerable isn't weakness anymore, it's leadership,” said MaryAnn.
“People are willing to say 'we're not OK' and that's a start.”
Wes echoed the shift: “There was a willingness to drop the performance. To really talk about what we’re all facing.”
What’s Not Working: Burnout, Budget Chaos, and Login Fatigue
The real-world pressures on sites, especially smaller ones, came through loud and clear.
“If you’re managing 10 studies without a CTMS, you don’t know what you’re getting paid for,” said MaryAnn.
Tina highlighted the human cost of overengineering:
“We give people five different dashboards and expect more output. We’re burning them out with tools that don’t talk to each other.”
There was shared concern that while tech budgets grow, operational support often lags behind and it’s study coordinators who pay the price.
Innovation that Levels the Field
But it wasn’t all frustration. The group highlighted bright spots, especially tools and programs aimed at supporting under-resourced sites.
MaryAnn praised initiatives that move beyond PR and make real investments in site infrastructure. Wes called out the Innovation Challenge at MAGI as a rare space where small teams can showcase big ideas.
“It’s not about flashy platforms,” he said. “It’s about tools that actually solve a problem for someone working 12-hour days.”
The AI Undercurrent: Present, Powerful, and Unspoken
AI wasn’t always on the agenda but it was everywhere.
“Everyone’s using it. No one’s being transparent about how,” said Wes.
The conversation turned to how AI is actually being used to simplify trial documentation, streamline participant screening, and reduce coordinator admin time.
Tina made a critical point:
“Sponsors can’t just expect sites to adopt AI. They have to create the conditions for it; with guardrails, support, and transparency.”
MaryAnn added: “I want AI that gives us back time. That’s the metric.”
Final Takeaways: Leading with Humanity
When asked what needs to change most, the responses weren’t about tech, they were about trust.
Tina spoke about cross-functional silos and the failure to understand roles outside of one's own department.
MaryAnn stressed the importance of non-monetary recognition - of simply seeing people’s efforts.
“We say we want feedback,” she noted, “but we rarely give people the space to be heard without judgment.”
Wes closed with a stark reminder:
“Shift friction upstream. Don’t wait for the fires to put themselves out.”
Now, Watch the Full Conversation
If you are after 25 minutes of real insight, actual use cases, and human truth from the heart of the clinical trials industry, you’re in the right place.
Watch the full fireside chat now on YouTube: Clinials Insights.
