In today’s world where technology is infiltrating every corner of life, artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming even the most mundane objects in ways we never imagined. And now, even the toilet—yes, the one in your bathroom—is about to get a serious AI upgrade.
The Evolution of Smart Toilets
Smart toilets have already come a long way from being just a basic sanitation tool. Years ago, features like automatic lids, auto-flush, seat warmers, and bidet functions began reshaping our bathroom experience. Though often labeled "smart," these early innovations weren’t truly powered by AI. They relied on sensors to detect user actions and respond accordingly—essentially automated systems, not intelligent ones.
But now, the real fusion of AI and toilets is finally within reach.
A New Frontier: AI-Enhanced Toilets for Health Monitoring
At Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, scientists are developing a groundbreaking AI-based tool that can be integrated into standard toilets. Its mission? To analyze human waste and provide gastroenterologists with critical information for diagnosing and managing chronic conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
The project, led by the Center for Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, and Infectious Disease (WaSH-AID) at Duke, was first presented at the 2021 Digestive Disease Week virtual conference.
According to Dr. Deborah Fisher, an associate professor of medicine at Duke and one of the study’s lead authors, traditional gastrointestinal diagnoses often depend heavily on patients’ own descriptions of their stool. “But that data is highly unreliable,” she says. Patients frequently struggle to recall stool shape, consistency, or frequency—all of which are key indicators of gut health. An AI-powered toilet could change that by offering consistent, objective, and long-term data collection.
With such technology, doctors would be able to track signs of IBD flare-ups or evaluate how a patient is responding to treatment—whether medication or dietary changes. In long-term care facilities, the tech could also improve early detection of acute illness, potentially transforming preventative care.
How Does It Work?
The technology itself is surprisingly elegant. The AI system is retrofitted into the plumbing of existing toilets. When a person flushes after using the toilet, the device captures images of the waste as it exits. Over time, these images are compiled into a growing dataset. Using a type of deep learning algorithm called a convolutional neural network (CNN), researchers then analyze the images to classify stool types.
The results so far are promising: the AI tool can classify stool shapes with 85% accuracy and detect traces of blood—often invisible to the naked eye—with 76% accuracy. Researchers trained the system using 3,328 images collected from various sources, including online databases and voluntarily submitted samples. Each image was annotated and reviewed by professional gastroenterologists using the Bristol Stool Scale, a clinical tool for stool classification.
Why It Matters
Dr. Sonia Grego, founding director of the Duke Smart Toilet Lab and principal investigator of the project, believes that patients will be receptive to the idea because “the system is entirely passive—it’s installed in the plumbing and requires no user intervention beyond flushing.” This is especially valuable in elder care settings or for individuals with limited communication abilities.
The current prototype has proven feasible, but further refinement is needed before it’s ready for public use. Researchers are now exploring additional features, such as analyzing stool for biochemical markers to deliver even more targeted insights for disease management.
Ending
Imagine a future where your toilet isn't just a sanitary fixture, but a vital tool for personalized health management. AI-enabled toilets could become frontline health monitors—quietly tracking changes, alerting doctors to potential issues early, and empowering individuals to stay informed about their gut health.
While it may sound unusual, the marriage of AI and toilets holds incredible potential for improving public health and everyday life. As this technology progresses from the lab to real homes, it could mark the beginning of a new era in smart bathrooms and digital health.
So yes, AI and toilets really are coming together. And the implications might just be life-changing.
Further Reading: Predictions for the Future of Smart Toilets
