Cell counting
Radiologist / Pathologist · Pathologist
“Cell counting” (Radiologist / Pathologist) was largely replaced by AI in 2026, after AI entered in 2019.
AI enters
2019
Largely replaced
2026
Replacement progress
100%
Technology / key factor
Digital pathology AI
What this task is
Pathologists count specific cells under the microscope, such as dividing cells or cells that stain positive for markers like Ki-67, in order to grade tumors and estimate a patient's prognosis.
How AI replaces it
Since 2019, digital pathology AI has been able to identify and count cells on scanned whole-slide images quickly and consistently. By 2026, routine cell counting is largely done by AI.
What stays human
Pathologists check that the right regions of the slide were counted, deal with poorly stained or damaged slides, and interpret the numbers together with what the tissue looks like.