How artificial intelligence is transforming nephrology

Current research in nephrology is increasingly focused on elucidating the complexity inherent in tightly interwoven molecular systems and their correlation with pathology and related therapeutics, including dialysis and renal transplantation. Rapid advances in the omics sciences, medical device sensorization, and networked digital medical devices have made such research increasingly data centered. Data-centric science requires the support of computationally powerful and sophisticated tools able to handle the overflow of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This is a context in which artificial intelligence (AI) and, more specifically, machine learning (ML) can provide a clear analytical advantage, given the rapid advances in their ability to harness multimodal data, from genomic information to signal, image and even heterogeneous electronic health records (EHR). However, paradoxically, only a small fraction of ML-based medical decision support systems undergo validation and demonstrate clinical usefulness. To effectively translate all this new knowledge into clinical practice, the development of clinically compliant support systems based on interpretable and explainable ML-based methods and clear analytical strategies for personalized medicine are imperative. Intelligent nephrology, that is, the design and development of AI-based strategies for a data-centric approach to nephrology, is just taking its first steps and is by no means yet close to its coming of age. These first steps are not even homogeneously taken, as a digital divide in access to technology has become evident between developed and developing countries, also affecting underrepresented minorities. With all this in mind, this editorial aim to provide a selective overview of the current use of AI technologies in nephrology and heralds the "Artificial Intelligence in Nephrology" special issue launched by BMC Nephrology.