Overview of artificial intelligence in hand surgery

Artificial intelligence has evolved significantly since its inception, becoming a powerful tool in medicine. This paper provides an overview of the core principles, applications and future directions of artificial intelligence in hand surgery. Artificial intelligence has shown promise in improving diagnostic accuracy, predicting outcomes and assisting in patient education. However, despite its potential, its application in hand surgery is still nascent, with most studies being retrospective and limited by small sample sizes. To harness the full potential of artificial intelligence in hand surgery and support broader adoption, more robust, large-scale studies are needed. Collaboration among researchers, through data sharing and federated learning, is essential for advancing artificial intelligence from experimental to clinically validated tools, ultimately enhancing patient care and clinical workflows.