We have come to our third and final themed issue based around the 3 shifts of the NHS 10-year plan. Having already covered the shifts from hospital to community and from treatment to prevention, this time, we explore aspects of the analogue to digital shift, focusing particularly on the use of AI in pathology.

This is especially timely for the College, which has just launched its new Digital Strategy Board, an important development within the College. The Board will consider how best digital, informatics and AI-led pathology should be rolled out. Ian Hopper and Guy Hannah explain more about its remit and how it has collaborated with the British Society for Haematology to support the adoption of digital pathology in haematology, with the Digital Haematology Task Force.

The College also recently submitted a response to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) call for evidence to help shape the work of the new National Commission on the Regulation of AI in Healthcare.  The response emphasised the need for effective regulation of AI, with direct influence from the profession, and  offered recommendations on how this should be implemented. Read the response here.

Meanwhile, the National Pathology Imaging Co-operative has launched a public register of AI products, to monitor available AI tools and make their clinical evidence easier to locate. Darren Treanor and Gillian Matthews explain this resource.

AI is, of course, already in use in pathology, particularly in histopathology. David Bailey reports on his trust’s experience of trialing the Ibex Galen AI breast algorithm. He admits to early reservations, but discovered it provided some clear benefits. Max Jackson and Sarah Coupland explain how they have been researching the use of AI in detecting uveal melanoma and metastatic carcinomas to the choroid. They also consider the pathway to clinical implementation and the challenges that brings, highlighting the need to focus not only on achieving high accuracy but also on practical implementations and frequent consultations with the end users.

Finally, in terms of our AI theme, John LeQuesne has a thought-provoking reflection about the impact of AI on the field. While this technological revolution heralds an exciting new era, at present the very focused questions we ask of it can make it feel like ‘exploring a museum at night using a laser pointer’. What does the future really hold for pathology in the age of AI?

Now – over to you. College is seeking an up‑to‑date picture of how digital pathology and AI are being used across services in 2026. It has opened a short member consultation to help understand how members currently use and perceive digital pathology and AI; barriers to adoption; service readiness for further digital transformation; and real-world examples where digital tools have supported productivity, flexibility or capacity. Please take a few minutes to respond by visiting our survey page here, so that College can reflect your views as fully as possible.

Read next

The College Digital Strategy Board – leading on digital pathology in collaboration with the British Society for Haematology

16 April 2026

Establishing an open register of AI products for digital pathology

16 April 2026

Scanning whole slide images with the Ibex Galen AI breast algorithm

16 April 2026