Artificial Intelligence Basics for Head and Neck Pathologists: A Simple Guide

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping pathology practice by assisting pathologists in analyzing and interpreting complex tissue and cellular imaging data. AI offers new opportunities to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and consistency in histopathological evaluation and lesion diagnosis. This perspective provides a simple guide for head and neck pathologists on the fundamentals and applications of AI. It outlines the main categories and concepts of AI, describes the basic workflow of model development, and highlights its utilization in head and neck pathology. This article also summarizes key AI terminologies with examples specific to this field, discusses the evolving role of pathologists in AI development and deployment, and underscores the challenges and considerations involved in integrating AI into routine practice. Importantly, AI should be viewed not as a substitute for human expertise but as a complemental tool to reduce interobserver variability, shorten turnaround times, and help manage the growing diagnostic workload in pathology laboratories. Algorithms are only as reliable as the data and context in which they are developed. The active involvement of pathologists remains critical to ensuring diagnostic accuracy, patient safety, and high-quality, patient-centered care in head and neck pathology.