In the ever-evolving landscape of in vitro diagnostics (IVD), quality control (QC) isn’t just about precision and numbers—it’s about trust. As labs race to adopt automation and AI-driven solutions, a quiet question is echoing in hallways and conference rooms: Are we losing the human touch in quality control?

Let’s talk about it.

🌐 A Changing World: Automation in QC

It’s 2025, and automation has become the backbone of many laboratories. Robotic systems now handle tasks that used to keep skilled lab technicians glued to their benches—sample prep, assay runs, data checks. Automated QC solutions are capable of spotting trends across huge datasets, flagging issues that human eyes might miss.

The upsides are undeniable. Faster turnaround times. Reduced manual errors. Consistency across runs. Cost savings.

But beneath the gleaming surface of automated efficiency, something critical can quietly slip away: the human intuition that often catches what machines don’t.

🧠 Why Human Expertise Still Matters

A machine can tell you there’s a deviation in assay performance. It can generate a red flag. But it can’t always tell you why.

An experienced lab technologist can:

• Recognize subtle patterns in data that might indicate an issue with reagents or instrumentation.

• Recall recent changes—like a batch of new lot reagents or a minor tweak in sample prep—that could be affecting results.

• Catch environmental or procedural anomalies—things like a temperature fluctuation in a storage fridge or an unusual sample viscosity.

These aren’t things a robot will necessarily pick up on.

Moreover, when a machine fails, who steps in? It’s the human expert who troubleshoots, interprets, and, ultimately, ensures patient results remain reliable.

🔍 A Balanced Approach: People and Machines Together

Rather than an either-or scenario, the future of IVD QC lies in balance.

Here’s how labs are starting to achieve that:

• Training and Upskilling: As automation handles routine tasks, lab staff are moving into more interpretive roles. They’re being trained to analyze QC trends, troubleshoot complex issues, and provide insights machines can’t.

• Data Literacy: With more data than ever before, humans need the skills to understand what the machines are telling them. Labs are investing in data literacy programs to empower staff to make sense of complex QC reports.

• Collaborative Workflows: Some labs are designing workflows where automated systems flag potential issues, and human experts step in to validate and interpret the findings. It’s not about replacing humans, but augmenting their capabilities.

• Preserving Institutional Knowledge: Long-time lab staff carry invaluable institutional memory—knowledge of historical data quirks, instrument behaviors, and unique sample profiles. Pairing them with newer tech-savvy staff creates a synergy of wisdom and innovation.

💡 The Intangible Value of the Human Element

Let’s not forget the emotional intelligence and ethical oversight humans bring to QC. Machines don’t feel the weight of a patient waiting for a diagnosis. They don’t grasp the human impact of a delayed or inaccurate result. Technologists do. That awareness drives an extra layer of vigilance and care.

In a world increasingly dominated by algorithms, that human touch isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential.

🌍 Looking Ahead: The Future of QC is Hybrid

As we move deeper into 2025 and beyond, the most successful labs will be those that embrace a hybrid approach. Automation will continue to streamline workflows and catch errors. But human expertise—especially in complex interpretation, problem-solving, and ethical judgment—will remain irreplaceable.

The challenge for lab leaders will be crafting an environment where both elements thrive. Investing in staff training. Designing workflows that leverage both AI and human insight. And fostering a culture where automation supports, not replaces, human excellence.