Purpose: To compare how artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, both individually and in combination, are changing surgery in the short, medium and long term and to identify sub-specialties and procedures most prone to transformation. Methodology: A PRISMA guided review was performed across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Bibliographies of identified articles were also reviewed. 28 studies were included for qualitative synthesis. Only studies published after 2023 were included to capture the most relevant advances in surgical AI and robotics. Results: AI was most often applied to preoperative risk prediction, imaging interpretation and intraoperative guidance. Robotics improved dexterity, visualisation and ergonomics in minimally invasive surgery, with increasing integration of image guidance into robotic systems. Procedures most susceptible to near term change were standardised, image rich and minimally invasive operations, including urology, gynaecology, bariatric, thoracic, orthopaedics and stereotactic neurosurgery. Procedures least susceptible were time critical, anatomically variable and exposure dependent operations, where adaptability and tactile judgement remains critical. Medium term changes included closer coupling of AI decision support with robotics for defined tasks and procedures. Long term changes included full integration of AI and robotics into supervised autonomous roles for selected procedures, shifting surgeons toward oversight and system governance. Conclusion: Our review suggests AI and robotics are already influencing surgical planning and intraoperative efficiency, with the largest changes seen in structured minimally invasive operations. As healthcare systems face mounting pressure from ageing populations and rising demand, the development of scalable technologies becomes inevitable. Their convergence is expected to amplify change, but clinical impact will depend on prospective validation, ethics and regulation.