Colleen Caleshu, MS, CGC, on Whether AI Will Replace Genetic Counselors

This is the third part of an interview with Colleen Caleshu, MS, CGC. For the first part, click here. For the second part, click here.

“We know from research studies that not everyone who needs a genetic test or genetic risk assessment necessarily needs counseling by a counselor, and we know that many people who do need counseling by a counselor aren't accessing it right now.”

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools have already made their way into daily practice for many professionals in the medical field, including genetic counselors, but at the moment they remain primarily tools to make giving care more efficient and to relieve administrative burden. In the future, however, as AI technology advances, it may begin to take over more substantial roles/duties of genetic counselors. As such, some are asking the question of whether AI will eventually replace genetic counselors?

CGTLive® discussed this question with Colleen Caleshu, MS, CGC, the senior director of research and real world data at Genome Medical, at the 44th National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) Annual Conference, held November 6 to 10 in Seattle, Washington. Caleshu, who chaired a session at the conference entitled “Healthcare Administrative AI Tools in Practice: Implementation Insights from Early Adopters”, explained that the question is very polarizing, and gave what she described as her “middle ground” view on the subject.

She explained that much of the discussion around AI in genetic counseling in the aforementioned session focused on administrative tools—such as those for documentation, scheduling, and communication—rather than direct patient care. With regard to the question of actual replacement of genetic counselors by AI, she noted that some people, mostly people who do not work as genetic counselors, are highly enthusiastic, while other people are deeply concerned. With regard to her own view, Caleshu pointed out that many people who need genetic counseling don’t currently have access to it, and that not everyone who needs a genetic test necessarily requires full counseling from a genetic counselor. AI tools, she suggested, could help fill access gaps by supporting patients whose needs can be met through technology while ensuring that those requiring complex, personalized care still receive it from human counselors.

Click here to view more coverage of the 2025 NSGC Annual Conference.