Human-Centric AI – Behaviour Modeling for Smart Surgery Ecosystem
2025 – ongoing
Regional project, Bando “Aggregazioni R&S – Salute” Regione Autonoma della Valle d’Aosta
The AI-SURG project, short for “Human-Centric AI – Behaviour Modeling for Smart Surgery Ecosystem”, represents a transformative step forward in the field of Cranio-Maxillo-Facial surgery by integrating the principles of Healthcare 5.0 into the operating room and beyond. This initiative, a collaboration between Blue Engineering and the Politecnico di Torino, seeks to evolve beyond traditional surgical aids by creating a symbiotic relationship between the surgeon, the patient, and artificial intelligence. At its core, the project addresses the immense anatomical complexity of facial surgeries, where even a millimeter of deviation can have significant functional and aesthetic consequences. By moving away from static 3D-printed guides toward dynamic, intelligent systems, AI-SURG aims to provide a higher level of intraoperative precision and post-operative care tailored to the specific biological and behavioral needs of each individual.
The technical framework of the project is built upon a sophisticated multimodal sensing system that utilizes computer vision and deep learning to monitor the surgical environment in real time. Unlike previous technologies that acted as passive tools, this system is designed to recognize specific surgical phases and model the behavior of the surgeon. By tracking tool trajectories and ergonomic posture, the AI acts as a cognitive partner, offering proactive feedback through extended reality interfaces or interactive dashboards. This “human-centric” approach ensures that the technology adapts to the expert’s workflow, reducing cognitive load and physical fatigue while detecting potential deviations before they compromise the outcome. The system effectively bridges the gap between digital surgical planning and the physical reality of the operating room, ensuring that the final positioning of surgical guides is as accurate as the initial virtual simulation.
Beyond the surgical suite, AI-SURG extends its impact into the patient’s recovery phase through an innovative remote monitoring platform. Recognizing that the success of a complex surgery is often determined by the quality of rehabilitation, the project implements AI-driven behavioral modeling to track functional progress autonomously. This platform allows clinicians to monitor a patient’s recovery from a distance, identifying early signs of complication or stagnation and adjusting therapy plans dynamically. This dual focus—combining high-precision intraoperative support with intelligent post-operative follow-up—embodies the “4P Medicine” paradigm of predictive, preventive, personalized, and participatory healthcare.
Ultimately, the AI-SURG project aims to reach a Technology Readiness Level of 6 through rigorous clinical validation at the Umberto Parini Hospital in Aosta. By demonstrating the efficacy of lightweight, edge-AI architectures in a real-world clinical setting, the project provides a scalable blueprint for the future of specialized surgery. While the current focus remains on the intricate structures of the head and face, the underlying framework of behavioral modeling and augmented feedback is designed to be applicable to any surgical field involving rigid anatomical structures, such as orthopedics or neurosurgery. Through this integration of engineering excellence and clinical expertise, AI-SURG paves the way for a safer, more efficient, and deeply personalized surgical ecosystem.
