Introduction to Artificial Intelligence for the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how medical information is processed and used; it has the potential to enhance clinical decision-making and expedite diagnosis and treatment. Applications of AI, such as machine learning models, are increasingly employed to analyze large volumes of data from diverse sources and identify patterns associated with patient deterioration, such as sepsis and hospital-acquired infections. In wound, ostomy, and continence (WOC) nursing, AI is already influencing areas such as prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment. Despite these advances, concerns about the "black box" nature of many AI models, where decision-making processes lack transparency and pose challenges to clinical trust and accountability. This article provides a historical context of AI, discusses its core concepts, and explores applications relevant to WOC nursing. As AI becomes integral to clinical practice, WOC nurses must be equipped with foundational knowledge needed to ensure that these technologies complement clinical expertise, maintain ethical standards, fairness, and accountability in patient care.