AI-Powered Quality Control: The Next Step in Scaling Digital Pathology | Episode 1

In this episode, Nick Best is joined by Dr. Orly Ardon, Director of Digital Pathology Operations at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Chet Kondragunta, CEO of Aira Matrix, at ECP 2026 in Stockholm to explore the growing importance of image quality and automated quality control in digital pathology.

Drawing on four published research papers, Orly shares insights from Memorial Sloan Kettering's experience of scanning over 11 million slides, discussing the challenges of maintaining consistent image quality as laboratories scale. Together, they explore the limitations of manual quality control, differences between whole-slide imaging systems, and how AI-driven automation can help standardise image assessment, reduce technician workloads and support more reliable clinical workflows.

Research papers discussed in this episode:

1. Digital Slide Scanning at Scale: Comparison of Whole Slide Imaging Devices in a Clinical Setting (2025)

2. Quality Management System in Clinical Digital Pathology Operations at a Tertiary Cancer Center (2023)

3. Interobserver Variability Across Whole-Slide Imaging Systems (2026)

4. Deployment of AI-Driven Automated Quality Control of Whole-Slide Images in a Large Tertiary Cancer Center (2026)

   
   

   Stay tuned for Part 2, where the discussion turns to the practical implementation of automated QC and its impact on laboratory operations.