Application of artificial intelligence in hepatology
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) is being applied across diagnostic and therapeutic workflows in hepatology. This narrative review summarizes recent advances in AI for liver disease. In medical imaging and digital pathology, computer vision enables automated quantitative analysis of ultrasound, CT, MRI, and histologic images, with the aim of improving the consistency of lesion detection, disease staging, and prognostic assessment. In biomarker research, machine learning can analyze high-dimensional liquid-biopsy and multi-omics data to develop diagnostic and prognostic models; some have outperformed conventional markers in their study cohorts. Electronic health records (EHRs) and large language models (LLMs) are also being investigated for clinical decision support and personalized management. However, most reported evidence remains retrospective, and clinical adoption is limited by data heterogeneity, poor interpretability, uncertain generalizability, and regulatory requirements. Progress will require standardized datasets, external and prospective validation, clinically relevant endpoints, and human-centered implementation before gains in model performance can be translated into better patient outcomes.
