Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) has unveiled promising results from a pilot study showing that a custom-tailored AI (CTAI) platform significantly improves patient preparedness and satisfaction ahead of orthopedic surgeries like hip and knee replacements. Presented at the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons annual meeting, the research highlights how AI can serve as a powerful, accessible, and personalized educational tool for patients. The CTAI system, developed in partnership with Aidify, was trained on HSS surgeons’ own approved patient education content, ensuring accuracy and alignment with clinical protocols. The platform allows patients to ask real-time, free-form questions about their upcoming surgery and recovery, receiving instant, tailored responses. The study included 40 patients scheduled for total joint arthroplasty (TJA), with 32 actively using the chatbot. Of those, 85% understood the answers, 75% felt better prepared for surgery, and over 80% said they would recommend the tool to others. Patients reported high satisfaction with the clarity, completeness, and usefulness of the AI’s responses. Common questions focused on preoperative preparations, medications, pain management, dietary needs, wound care, activity restrictions, and potential complications—most asked before surgery, with fewer inquiries post-procedure. The platform provided round-the-clock access to reliable, doctor-specific guidance, reducing reliance on general search engines like Google or ChatGPT, which may offer inaccurate or generic information. One of the most surprising findings was the ease with which older patients—most over 55—used the technology. Many participants, including those unfamiliar with digital tools, navigated the platform confidently. Some even preferred interacting with the AI over speaking with their surgeon, appreciating the instant, non-judgmental support available anytime. The AI also helps ease the burden on clinical staff by handling repetitive, non-urgent questions, allowing doctors and nurses to focus on complex cases. If the system cannot answer a question or detects a potential emergency, it immediately prompts the patient to contact their care team, call 911, or use the MyChart/Epic portal for a human response. Dr. Eytan M. Debbi, senior author and orthopedic surgeon at HSS, emphasized that the AI enhances health literacy, builds patient confidence, and improves the overall care experience. He noted that while surgeons can’t be available 24/7, AI can support multiple patients simultaneously without burnout. Despite the positive outcomes, the platform remains in the research phase. It currently does not access individual patient records, and all interactions are monitored to ensure safety and accuracy. The team plans to expand the study and eventually integrate the AI with electronic medical records—once security and reliability are fully confirmed. HSS, consistently ranked No. 1 in orthopedics by U.S. News & World Report and recognized globally as a leader in musculoskeletal care, continues to pioneer innovations in patient education and digital health. The CTAI project exemplifies how AI can be responsibly deployed to enhance care delivery, improve outcomes, and empower patients—especially as healthcare systems seek scalable, efficient solutions. With its potential to transform patient engagement, the CTAI platform represents a significant step forward in making high-quality, personalized surgical education accessible to all. As Dr. Debbi noted, “The sky’s the limit,” and this is just the beginning.