Artificial Intelligence Technology Applications in the Pathologic Diagnosis of the Gastrointestinal Tract

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a complex technology with a steady flow of new applications, including in the pathology laboratory. Applications of AI in pathology are scarce but increasing; they are based on complex software-based machine learning with deep learning trained by pathologists. Their uses are based on tissue identification on histologic slides for classification into categories of normal, nonneoplastic and neoplastic conditions. Most AI applications are based on digital pathology. This commentary describes the role of AI in the pathological diagnosis of the gastrointestinal tract and provides insights into problems and future applications by answering four fundamental questions.

Keywords::

• artificial intelligence
• convolutional neural networks
• deep learning
• histology
• machine learning
• pathologic diagnosis
• pathology

Author contributions

LS Lino-Silva conceived the idea for the paper; LS Lino-Silva and DL Xinaxtle reviewed the literature and drafted the manuscript.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.