Dr. Mark Barakat: How AI reinvents clinical trials

What happens when a retina specialist with a background in computer science takes on the inefficiencies of clinical research?In this insightful conversation, Dr. Mark Barakat of Retina Macula Institute joins Tilda CEO Ram Yalamanchili to explore how AI is transforming the day-to-day reality of clinical trial execution.They discuss the growing operational burdens on site staff, the silent cost of turnover, and the bottlenecks that limit research capacity. Dr. Barakat shares his firsthand experience adopting AI in a high-volume ophthalmology research site—including what’s working, what’s not, and why he believes AI will become a core collaborator, not a threat.From automating data entry and managing re-consent workflows to long-term visions of AI-assisted imaging and protocol compliance, this episode offers a grounded, site-level perspective on AI’s real potential in trial operations.⸻What you’ll learn:- How AI is reducing operational burden for clinical research coordinators and site staff- Why research sites struggle with staff burnout, turnover, and training and how AI can help- The hidden inefficiencies in clinical trial workflows (EDC, source-to-CRF, informed consent)- Real-world examples of AI improving regulatory compliance and data quality at ophthalmology sites- How sites are using AI to manage high trial volume without increasing headcount- Why adoption of AI in clinical research is slow—and what’s changing now- The role of AI in imaging analysis for retina trials, including OCT segmentation and atrophy tracking- How AI can level the playing field across high- and low-performing clinical trial sites- Practical considerations for bringing AI into day-to-day research operations- What sponsors need to know about site enablement, trial scalability, and AI’s role in quality assurance