<br />Developing a new drug was once considered a long and complex process that could take more than ten years and cost billions of dollars. However, with the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) into the field of drug discovery, this landscape has changed dramatically. Deep learning algorithms are capable of analyzing millions of chemical compounds in a short time and predicting their effectiveness and potential side effects before the clinical trial phase.<br />These technologies have already contributed to the discovery of new compounds to combat MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), which was regarded as a milestone achievement in modern medicine. Predictive models have also accelerated the selection of suitable patients for clinical trials, reducing the duration of phase I and phase II trials by up to 30%.<br />Despite these successes, challenges remain. AI depends heavily on the quality of data, and any bias or deficiency may lead to misleading results. Furthermore, the transition from "digital discovery" to "real-world treatment" remains complex, as it must undergo strict regulatory and safety validation processes.<br />In the Iraqi context, these technologies could open the door for local research into endemic diseases such as cancer and viral liver diseases. Collaboration between Iraqi universities and global companies in building pharmaceutical data libraries could accelerate the introduction of drugs tailored to local contexts.<br />AI in drug discovery and clinical trials may directly contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):<br />1. Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being<br />o Accelerating drug discovery reduces mortality from endemic and chronic diseases.<br />o Improving the accuracy of clinical trials enhances healthcare quality and ensures safer medications.<br />2. Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure<br />o Applying AI in the pharmaceutical industry fosters technological innovation.<br />o Establishing local pharmaceutical data platforms opens opportunities for investment in applied research.<br />3. Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals<br />o Collaboration between Iraqi universities and global companies strengthens international partnerships.<br />o Sharing data and scientific expertise accelerates the application of pharmaceutical solutions suitable for local needs.<br />In conclusion, artificial intelligence not only accelerates the process of drug discovery but also shifts the philosophy of pharmaceutical research from "trial and error" to "data-driven design." This makes the future of medicine more precise and less costly, while contributing to good health, industrial innovation, and global partnerships in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030.<br /><br />Al-Mustaqbal University is the first one university in Iraq.<br />