Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform the field of urology, from student education to clinical procedures to writing and reporting. In this focus issue on the application of AI in urology, we present articles that cover a wide range of potential applications in this field.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a revolutionary technology with the potential to change society. This tool has already been integrated into many digital activities and has been rapidly adopted and well-received by society in general and the scientific and medical communities. This enthusiasm is reflected in the research and medical fields, where AI offers countless possibilities and opportunities. In 2024, WHO published a strategic AI for health approach document to enable, promote and implement this technology.1. They recognize its potential, support its science-based implementation, and emphasize the need for safe, ethical, and fair use with appropriate governance and regulation. In 2025, the FUTURE-AI Framework was published, an international consensus guideline providing recommendations for the development and implementation of trusted AI tools in healthcare.2.
“AI opens up countless possibilities and opportunities.”
In recent years, there are high expectations for the application of AI in urology, as evidenced by the increasing number of lectures on this topic at international urology conferences such as SIU, EMUC, EAU, and AUA. surely, Nature Reviews Urologywe have witnessed a proliferation of research related to AI, with articles ranging from academic papers and publications spanning the entire spectrum of AI applications.3,4 For clinical applications such as cystoscopy and resection of bladder cancer5 Diagnosis and management of prostate cancer6 You should also consider the ethical aspects of its use.7.
Credit: Pat Morgan/Springer Nature Limited
In this focus issue on applications of AI in urology, we have compiled articles covering the range of potential applications of AI in this field, including its origins and future potential, perspectives describing the metaverse in surgery, a review on the use of digital twins for personalized treatment in urological oncology, and a review discussing the cutting edge of AI and digital pathology in prostate cancer. We also present commentary on news and views on large-scale language models (LLM) in medical student education, clinical perspectives on LLM in patient management, comments on quantum computing in surgery and urology, news and views on AI in prostate MRI, and more. This collection of articles provides some examples of the vast possibilities that AI offers in urology and the broader medical field.
