By now, most people are familiar with ChatGPT and other general-purpose AI tools such as Perplexity. These horizontal AI systems have become commonplace, assisting users with tasks like composing emails, summarizing information, or generating creative ideas. Their adaptability across a wide range of domains demonstrates the power of general intelligence and transfer learning. 

However, in the high-stakes and highly regulated context of life sciences, it is important to ask whether such tools are suitable for clinical use. In this setting, a vertical agentic AI approach—purpose-built for specific domains—provides the precision, reliability, and compliance necessary for success. While both horizontal and vertical agentic AI play essential roles in the broader evolution of intelligent systems, it is the vertical approach that ensures the rigor and accountability demanded by life sciences applications.

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