A white paper is designed for detailed reading. A presentation is designed for selective attention. The job is to preserve the argument and evidence while reducing the amount of material the audience has to process at one time.
Identify the argument before the sections
Summarize the white paper in one sentence: what problem does it address, what does the evidence show, and what should the reader conclude? That sentence becomes the backbone of the deck.
Build slides around evidence and implications
Strong white-paper decks usually move from problem to evidence, then to interpretation, implications, and recommendation. Tables can become charts, long methodology sections can become one credibility slide, and supporting detail can move to an appendix.
Keep important caveats visible
Condensing does not mean removing limitations. If a result depends on assumptions, sample size, timing, or a particular methodology, preserve that context somewhere the audience can see it.
Use a source-to-deck workflow
If the white paper is a PDF, a PDF to Presentation AI workflow can give you a first slide structure quickly. The final edit should still decide which findings deserve visual emphasis and which details belong in backup slides.
End with the implication
The final slide should answer the question the white paper ultimately raises: what should the audience believe, decide, investigate, or do differently because of the evidence?