In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has taken on an increasingly significant role in the scientific and organizational debate surrounding diabetology. It is no longer viewed as a purely theoretical or experimental perspective, but as an applied field that, when properly structured, can provide concrete support to everyday clinical practice.
The fundamental premise is clear: the effectiveness of artificial intelligence depends on the quality of the data on which it operates. In diabetology, this means having access to reliable, complete, structured, and longitudinal clinical information. Glycemic trends, metabolic parameters, ongoing therapies, intercurrent events, complications, comorbidities, and follow-up data together form an informational asset that, when consistently organized, enables algorithms to identify recurring patterns and clinically meaningful correlations.
The analysis of large volumes of data makes it possible to move beyond a fragmented interpretation of single clinical episodes, fostering a longitudinal view of disease progression. In this context, predictive models can be developed to support risk stratification and the monitoring of potential microvascular and macrovascular complications. Predictive medicine does not aim to replace clinical expertise, but rather to reduce decision-making uncertainty through a broader and more systematic interpretation of available information.
For these tools to be truly effective, artificial intelligence must be integrated into clear, traceable clinical workflows governed by healthcare professionals. AI does not operate autonomously: it provides analytical support, highlights potential risks, and suggests risk stratifications. Responsibility for decision-making remains with the physician, who interprets the results in light of the patient’s specific clinical context.
In this sense, artificial intelligence does not replace clinical judgment; it strengthens it. It offers tools to interpret the complexity of diabetes in a more continuous, informed, and conscious way, particularly when supported by large and longitudinal datasets. Its usefulness increases when embedded within a structured digital ecosystem where data are governed, documented, and made available throughout the entire care pathway.
The current challenge is not only technological, but also organizational and cultural. It involves designing information systems capable of supporting structured data collection and management, promoting interoperability among tools, and ensuring traceability of decision-making processes. Only in this way can artificial intelligence make a meaningful contribution to the quality of care and the management of chronic diseases.
In diabetology, where continuity of care and long-term monitoring are central elements, AI can become a strategic ally. Not as a substitute for the care relationship, but as a support to the clinician’s ability to interpret and manage complexity, with the goal of improving prevention, personalizing care pathways, and enhancing the sustainability of healthcare systems.