Representative data · Equitable access · Global collaboration

Surgical AI that works for every patient.

The Global Surgical AI Network is an international community of surgeons working to ensure that artificial intelligence in surgery is built on data that represents the people it serves.

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The challenge

AI is only as good as the data it learns from

Artificial intelligence is set to transform surgery, from diagnosis and operative planning to complication prediction and surgical training. But most surgical AI today is developed using data from a narrow range of patients, hospitals and countries.

When a model is trained on one population and used on another, it can underperform, miss risks, or reinforce existing inequalities.

If we want surgical AI to benefit everyone, it must be built on data from everyone.

1%
of studies on AI in surgical care in low- and middle-income countries came from low-income countries. Source: Valli AD et al. eClinicalMedicine, 2026.

Who we are

Surgeons shaping the future of surgical AI

The Global Surgical AI Network began as a group of surgeons who met on the Harvard Medical School Surgical Leadership Program. Drawn from different countries, specialties and health systems, we shared one conviction: surgeons must play a leading role in shaping how AI enters the operating room, and fairness must be built in from the start, not added later.

Today we are a growing international network of surgeons, researchers and partners committed to making that vision a reality.

Our commitments

What we stand for

01

Representative data

AI built on data that reflects the world.

We champion the principle that surgical AI must be trained and tested on data that reflects the demographic, clinical and geographic diversity of the patients it is intended to serve. Representative data is the foundation of safe, accurate and trustworthy AI.

02

Equitable access

The benefits of AI, shared by all.

We advocate for the fair and responsible rollout of surgical AI so that patients and health systems in every setting, including those with limited resources, share in its benefits. Innovation should narrow gaps in surgical care, not widen them.

03

Collaborative data infrastructure

A global network to build better datasets.

We connect surgeons across the world to collect, curate and expertly label surgical data. Through this collaboration we aim to create high-quality, representative datasets that enable the development of AI that works for all.

Our approach

How we work

Surgeon-led

Clinical expertise guides every stage, from defining the problems worth solving to labelling the data that solves them.

Ethical by design

Patient consent, privacy and data security are central to everything we do. Contributing institutions keep a meaningful voice in how their data is used.

Globally collaborative

We partner across countries, specialties and resource settings, valuing every contributor as an equal partner.

Get involved

Be part of the network

Whether you are a surgeon, researcher, data scientist, institution or industry partner, there is a place for you in the Global Surgical AI Network.

Join the network

Connect with surgeons worldwide who share our vision and contribute to our work.

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Get in touch

To discuss partnerships, collaboration or anything else, contact our team.

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Building the future of surgery, together

AI will shape the future of surgical care. Together, we can make sure that future includes everyone.

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