Recent developments in artificial intelligence and machine learning have led to novel and promising applications in gastrointestinal endoscopy and beyond. Endoscopic AI has already become a topic of intensive research and marketing, and a recent review in this journal is a timely and thorough guide that defines terminology and outlines best practices for the development and assessment of AI systems. Our commentary highlights selected aspects of AI research and elaborates upon potential roles that the GI scientific community and professional societies may play in ensuring that the preclinical achievements translate into clinical reality. We believe that: Databases of diagnostic AI software need to be made transparent as should the conditions of the testing scenarios. Clinical expertise is required from the early phases of system development and testing. Medicolegal implications need to be clarified as AI gets increasingly involved in medical decision making. Finally, through the establishment of a continuously updated and curated, dedicated database for AI system evaluation ("rolling gold standard"), the GI societies could actively advance and frame this everchanging field.