Overview of the role of artificial intelligence in pathology: the computer as a pathology digital assistant

Pathology is rapidly evolving as it begins to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) as an enabling technology. In addition to the basic concepts of machine learning, it is important to understand the overall framework in which digital pathology and computational pathology are creating tremendous opportunities for advancing 21st century diagnostics. From a discussion of machine learning modalities, it will be shown that both now and in the foreseeable future, the computer will not replace human cognition, creativity, and imagination. AI, however, will become a tireless and accurate pathologist's assistant.