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As Vice President of Clinical Quality at NorthStar Anesthesia, Desiree Chappell brings a unique perspective to the evolving role of AI in anesthesiology. With years of frontline clinical experience and as Co-Editor-in-Chief of TopMedTalk, she has engaged in hundreds of in-depth conversations with global thought leaders, giving her a broad and practical understanding of how technology is shaping the future of perioperative care.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly gaining traction in anesthesiology, with the potential to reshape how we deliver care before, during, and after surgery. A recent article in TechTarget explores the many ways AI is already being applied—from monitoring depth of anesthesia and guiding ultrasound use, to predicting perioperative risks and improving OR efficiency.
From a practicing anesthesia provider’s perspective, I view these developments with cautious optimism. The potential of AI to support clinicians in real time, surface patterns in complex physiologic data, and promote consistency in care is exciting—especially in a field like anesthesiology, where precision and timing are everything.
One of the most compelling opportunities AI offers is the ability to reduce unwanted variation. Anesthesia is highly individualized, but variation without purpose can lead to inconsistent outcomes. AI has the potential to help us better standardize our approach while still allowing for clinical nuance—particularly when it comes to decision support, early warning systems, and goal-directed therapy.
That said, there are still hurdles to overcome, including interoperability between systems, the quality and completeness of the data feeding these tools, and the need to ensure that AI technologies are applied in equitable and transparent ways. We must also be mindful that no matter how advanced these tools become, they can never replace the human touch—the ability to comfort a patient, to assess the unspoken, or to adapt instantly to the unexpected. Compassion, intuition, and connection remain central to safe and meaningful care.
AI in anesthesiology is not about replacing clinicians—it’s about empowering them. When implemented thoughtfully, it can enhance our ability to anticipate, respond, and recover—hallmarks of safe, high-quality anesthesia care. As a profession, we should engage with these innovations, guide their evolution, and ensure they serve the needs of both providers and patients alike.
