A scientific paper was recently published on an early Health Technology Assessment (HTA) of an AI algorithm for the detection of tumour budding in colorectal cancer. As part of this study, a two-round Delphi survey was conducted amongst an international panel of gastrointestinal pathologists. The panel assessed a series of conditions that the algorithm must meet to enable its use in everyday clinical practice.
Of the 29 statements presented, consensus was reached on 21. These related to technical, organisational, ethical and legal aspects of implementation. No consensus was reached on the remaining eight statements. For instance, there was no agreement on the optimal point at which the AI algorithm should be deployed within the diagnostic process: before, during or after the pathologist’s assessment. This outcome suggests that it is not only the timing of the algorithm’s execution that is important, but also the point at which the information generated by the algorithm is utilised.
Nor was consensus reached on the possibility of completely replacing the pathologist with the algorithm. However, the responses clearly indicated a rejection of this approach. This finding is in line with the current view on the use of artificial intelligence within pathology and healthcare, whereby AI is primarily seen as a tool to support experts and not as a replacement for professional expertise.
Furthermore, the findings show that there is still no complete consensus on various aspects regarding the best way to integrate AI into the diagnostic process.
Swillens JEM, Nagtegaal ID, Lugli A, Van der Laak JAWM, Tummers M. Consensus-Based Minimum Requirements for the Adoption of a Computational Pathology Algorithm for Tumour Budding in Colorectal Cancer: An Early Health Technology Assessment. JCO Clin Cancer Inform. 2026 Jul–Sep;10(3):e2600034. doi: 10.1200/CCI-26-00034. Epub 31 July 2026. PMID: 42536993.