AI in Neurology: Everything, Everywhere, All at Once Part 1: Principles and Practice

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming healthcare, yet it often remains opaque to clinicians, scientists, and patients alike. This review, part 1 of a 3-part series, provides neurologists and neuroscientists with a foundational understanding of AI's key concepts, terminology, and applications. We begin by tracing AI's origins in mathematics, human logic, and brain-inspired neural networks to establish a context for its development. The review highlights AI's growing role in neurological diagnostics and treatment, emphasizing machine learning applications, such as computer vision, brain-machine interfaces, and precision care. By mapping the evolution of AI tools and linking them to neuroscience and human reasoning, we illustrate how AI is reshaping neurological practice and research. We end the review with an overview of model selection in AI and a case scenario illustrating how AI may drive precision neurological care. Part 1 sets the stage for part 2, which will focus on practical applications of AI in real-world scenarios where humans and AI collaborate as joint cognitive systems. Part 3 will examine AI's integration with extensive healthcare and neurology networks, innovative clinical trials, and massive datasets, expanding our vision of AI's global impact on neurology, healthcare systems, and society. ANN NEUROL 2025;98:211–230