AI Competency Framework for PharmD Education

Current Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) standards do not directly address artificial intelligence, creating a curricular gap as emerging technologies increasingly intersect with pharmacy practice. In response, a competency framework has been developed to define the artificial intelligence knowledge, skills, and attitudes required of Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) graduates.

The proposed framework organizes competencies into three interrelated domains structured as a developmental progression: 1. Foundational AI literacy 2. Critical use and appraisal of AI outputs 3. Responsible integration in clinical practice

Rather than introducing a separate, parallel curriculum, the model builds upon skills already foundational to pharmacy education, mapping each domain to existing ACPE standards and providing concrete examples for embedding competencies into current coursework. Continuing professional development is highlighted as necessary to sustain competency as artificial intelligence tools evolve. Because the framework has not yet been formally validated, it is intended to serve as a foundational starting point to anchor subsequent consensus-building, curricular implementation, and educational assessment across pharmacy programs.