Pathologists
Official O*NET title: Physicians, Pathologists (29-1222.00)
Also called: anatomic pathologist, cytopathologist, dermatopathologist, forensic pathologist, hematopathologist
Do you do this at work?
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Do you do this at work?
Analyze and interpret results from tests
Swipe right for yes, left for not me. On a keyboard: → yes, ← not me, Z undo. +2 XP per answer.
How AI is changing pathologists work
7 of 14 measurable main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Red (lots of AI use) — 50%.
This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.
Tasks in this job and recorded AI use
- Analyze and interpret results from tests (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Examine microscopic samples to identify diseases or other abnormalities (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in pathology (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Diagnose diseases or study medical conditions, using techniques such as gross pathology, histology, cytology, cytopathology, clinical chemistry, immunology, flow cytometry, or molecular biology (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Communicate pathologic findings to surgeons or other physicians (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Identify the etiology, pathogenesis, morphological change, and clinical significance of diseases (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Develop or adopt new tests or instruments to improve diagnosis of diseases (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Write pathology reports summarizing analyses, results, and conclusions (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Consult with physicians about ordering and interpreting tests or providing treatments (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Review cases by analyzing autopsies, laboratory findings, or case investigation reports (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Manage medical laboratories (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Educate physicians, students, and other staff in medical laboratory professions (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Plan and supervise the work of the pathology staff, residents, or visiting pathologists (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Perform autopsies to determine causes of deaths (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Conduct research and present scientific findings — some recorded AI use
- Diagnose infections — no recorded AI use
- Obtain specimens by performing procedures — no recorded AI use
- Conduct genetic analyses of deoxyribonucleic acid or chromosomes to diagnose small biopsies and cell samples — no recorded AI use
- Testify in depositions or trials as an expert witness — no recorded AI use
Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).
Your first steps (guidance)
- Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
- Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Analyze and interpret results from tests”. Try the prompt for: “Examine microscopic samples to identify diseases or other abnormalities”.
Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. The first 2 weeks are free; Premium (coming soon) adds weeks 3–12. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.
Questions about AI and pathologists
Will AI replace pathologists?
Our data can’t predict job losses, and we don’t try to. What it does show: 7 of the 14 main tasks for this job match tasks people already use AI for (Anthropic Economic Index), giving a Red rating (lots of AI use). Using AI on a task is not the same as AI doing the whole job, and 11 of the 19 listed tasks show no recorded AI use yet.
Which pathologist tasks is AI used for most?
In the data, the most AI use among this job’s tasks is for: analyze and interpret results from tests; examine microscopic samples to identify diseases or other abnormalities; read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in pathology.
Which pathologist tasks show little or no AI use?
For example: write pathology reports summarizing analyses, results, and conclusions; consult with physicians about ordering and interpreting tests or providing treatments; review cases by analyzing autopsies, laboratory findings, or case investigation reports. These are good places to keep building your own skills.
How does this job compare to others?
In Microsoft Research’s “Working with AI” study, this job’s AI applicability score is equal to or higher than 43% of the occupations they scored. That measures overlap with AI chat use, not risk of job loss.
How can a pathologist start learning AI?
Start small: open a free AI assistant, try it on one task you do often, and always check facts and numbers yourself. The plan on this page is guidance, not professional advice.
See how this job ranks
Pathologists ranks #136 of 572 jobs for the share of main tasks with AI use (#1 = most), and #12 of 80 in Healthcare.
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