The emerging role of artificial intelligence in dermatology: Clinical applications and challenges, a bibliographic review of recent evidence

Abstract

Introduction: Dermatology is a field strongly grounded in the visual and dermatoscopic assessment of cutaneous lesions, where clinical experience and specialist judgment are essential for accurate decision-making. In recent years, artificial intelligence has emerged as a tool with high potential to support diagnosis, severity assessment, and longitudinal monitoring of skin diseases, making a systematic and updated analysis of its usefulness, scope, and real impact in dermatological practice necessary. Objective: To critically analyze the current role of artificial intelligence in dermatology, describing its main clinical applications, benefits, limitations, and challenges, with emphasis on image-based diagnosis, severity assessment, multimodal models, artificial intelligence-assisted dermatopathology, medical education, and equity in access to dermatologic care. Methodology: A narrative literature review was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, applying exclusively the MeSH terms “Artificial Intelligence” and “Dermatology.” A total of 132 articles were selected after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria and a screening process based on PRISMA recommendations. Discussion: Recent evidence shows that artificial intelligence can achieve highly accurate diagnostic performance, enhance objective severity assessment, and optimize the longitudinal monitoring of skin diseases. However, challenges remain related to bias, clinical validation, explainability, and professional adoption. Conclusion: AI does not replace expert clinical evaluation, but it may serve as a valuable complement when integrated responsibly, ethically, and in an appropriate clinical context.