The Emergence of Artificial Intelligence-Guided Karyotyping: A Review and Reflection

Artificial intelligence (AI) has entered the medical subspecialty of cytogenetics with the recent introduction of AI-guided karyotyping into the clinical laboratory. Karyotyping is an essential component of the cytogenetic analysis process; however, it is both labor-intensive and time-consuming. The introduction of AI algorithms into karyotyping software streamlines this process to provide accurate and abundant auto-karyotyped images for laboratory professionals to review and, also, alters the paradigm for chromosome analysis. Herein, we provide an overview of the AI-guided karyotyping products currently available for clinical use, discuss their utilization in the cytogenetics laboratory, and highlight changes AI-guided karyotyping has brought for early users. Finally, we reflect on our own laboratory observations and experience to discuss issues and practices that may need to adapt to best utilize this promising new technology.