Topic: Artificial Intelligence and Robotic Surgery in Digestive Oncology: Challenges, Evidence, and Future Directions

This Special Issue explores the transformative role of artificial intelligence and advanced technologies—such as robotics, machine learning, and augmented/virtual reality—in the diagnosis, surgical management, and prognostication of gastrointestinal malignancies. These innovations are driving a paradigm shift in digestive oncology, enhancing precision surgery, intraoperative decision making, and perioperative care. As these tools continue to evolve, their translational impact is becoming increasingly evident in routine clinical practice. This collection will feature original research articles, clinical case series, and expert reviews that examine current applications, practical challenges, and future directions for AI and robotic systems in gastrointestinal surgical oncology. By bringing together multidisciplinary insights, this collection aims to provide a comprehensive overview of both the opportunities, challenges, and real-world implementation of these tools in modern clinical workflows.

Potential Topics:

● AI-assisted intraoperative navigation and planning;

● Machine learning for risk stratification and clinical decision making;

● Robotics and fluorescence imaging in colorectal and gastric cancer;

● Augmented/virtual reality for surgical training and real-time guidance;

● Ethical and legal implications of AI in surgical practice;

● AI-based predictive models for oncologic outcomes;

● International training frameworks for AI and robotics in surgery;

● Real-world evidence and multicenter validation studies.