Pathology News Roundup: July 2026

New Guidance Offers a Blueprint for Clinical AI Deployment. As artificial intelligence becomes more common in pathology laboratories, a newly published paper in Laboratory Investigation shifts the conversation from whether AI should be adopted to how it should be implemented safely. In "Recommendations for Pathologist-Led Deployment of Artificial Intelligence as Laboratory-Developed Tests" the authors outline practical recommendations for deploying AI as laboratory-developed tests (LDTs), emphasizing that pathologists—not software vendors—should lead the validation, governance, and ongoing oversight of these tools before they become part of routine clinical practice.

The guidance highlights the need for rigorous validation, continuous performance monitoring, and thoughtful workflow integration to ensure AI enhances patient care without introducing unnecessary risk. As more laboratories evaluate AI-powered tools, the paper reinforces that successful implementation depends as much on clinical governance and quality assurance as it does on the technology itself. Read the paper online.

Review Examines the Next Phase of Digital Pathology. The Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine recently published the review, "What's New in Digital and Computational Pathology 2026: Advances in Adoption, Standards, AI Technologies, and Clinical Integration," offering a comprehensive look at the current state of digital pathology. The authors describe a field that has moved well beyond early adoption, with whole-slide imaging, remote sign-out, enterprise digital workflows, and computational pathology becoming increasingly integrated into routine practice. The review also highlights the rapid growth of multimodal AI, which combines pathology images with clinical, molecular, and genomic data to support more comprehensive diagnostic insights.

Rather than focusing on a single technology or product, the review paints a broader picture of the industry's evolution. It points to continued progress in reimbursement, interoperability, regulatory frameworks, and AI integration, suggesting that digital pathology is becoming a foundational component of modern laboratory operations rather than an emerging innovation. As laboratories continue to digitize their workflows, the review offers a timely snapshot of where the specialty stands today, and where it's headed next. Read the review online.

Federal Agencies Seek Input on Modernizing CLIA. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking public feedback on potential updates to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). Among the topics under consideration are the use of artificial intelligence and software in laboratory testing, pathology specimen retention requirements, remote competency assessments, cybersecurity, and other emerging laboratory practices.

While no regulatory changes have been proposed, the request signals that federal agencies are beginning to examine how CLIA should evolve alongside rapidly advancing laboratory technologies. Any future updates could influence how laboratories validate AI, manage digital workflows, and maintain compliance in an increasingly technology-driven environment, making this an important development for pathology leaders to watch.