Regulatory considerations for artificial intelligence technologies in GI endoscopy

Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in clinical medicine have become the subject of intensive investigative efforts and popular attention. In domains ranging from pathology to radiology, AI has demonstrated the potential to improve clinical performance and efficiency. In gastroenterology, AI has been applied on multiple fronts, with particular progress seen in the areas of computer-aided polyp detection (CADe) and computer-aided polyp diagnosis (CADx), to assist gastroenterologists during colonoscopy. As clinical evidence accrues for CADe and CADx, our attention must also turn toward the unique challenges that this new wave of technologies represent for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory agencies, who are tasked with protecting public health by ensuring the safety of medical devices. In this review, we describe the current regulatory pathways for AI tools in gastroenterology and the expected evolution of these pathways.