**2.1 Focused list of AI/ML applications across surgical specialties**

A focused list of topics regarding the implication and application of AI and ML are presented below. AI is broadly defined as a system that can learn to think or act [13]. ML, which falls under the broad scope of AI, refers more specifically to an algorithm that adjusts itself based on detected patterns in data [13]. Deep learning is a subset of ML that uses neural networks to learn intricate relationships in data [14]. Each item will be presented briefly, with relevant literature sources provided accordingly. It is important to note that a complete review encompassing all applications of AI/ML and all specialties of surgery is beyond the scope of this chapter.
