Navigating the use of artificial intelligence in the peer review process: Cautionary pearls from the editorial board.

Peer review remains a cornerstone of academic publishing, underpinning the integrity and credibility of the scientific literature. High-quality peer review is both a human art and a learned skill, requiring an understanding of study design, critical appraisal and subject-specific expertise. However, the rapid expansion of scientific publishing has placed increasing strain on the peer review ecosystem, contributing to reviewer fatigue, delays, and variability in review quality. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) offer potential opportunities to enhance the efficiency and consistency of peer review, but their integration into editorial workflows requires careful consideration. In this editorial, we explore the evolving role of peer review, the challenges facing the current ecosystem, and the potential - yet constrained - role of AI, from the perspective of the Editorial Board of Neurosurgical Review.