Surgical Artificial Intelligence: Endourology

Based on the number of studies explored here alone, one can see that AI is a very active subject of research in endourology. The potential benefit should impart a sense of excitement in the urologic field; however, AI should be met with cautious optimism. The mechanisms of ML and DL are complex and in the case of DL, unsupervised with regard to input and evaluation techniques. Similar to complex traditional statistical methods, urologists can rely on computer scientist interpretation of AI, as they rely on statisticians, to an extent. Urologists must familiarize themselves with AI for continued protection of patients by serving as the bridge between technologic innovation and clinical practice. Most of the AI studies are retrospective and theoretic; the ability for critical appraisals by urologists is the keystone to validating theoretic models and designing prospective studies for the benefits of AI to be realized in clinical practice.