Micro and nanobots (MNBs) are unprecedented in their ability to be chemically tuned for autonomous tasks with enhanced targeting and functionality while maintaining their mobility. A myriad of chemical modifications involving a large variety of advanced materials has been demonstrated to be effective in the design of MNBs. Furthermore, they can be controlled for autonomous motion and for their ability to carry chemical or biological payloads.

In addition, MNBs can be modified to achieve targetability with specificity for biological applications. However, MNBs, by virtue of their chemical compositions, may face limitations related to biocompatibility, tissue accumulation, poor biodegradability, and potential toxicity.

This review presents a note on artificial intelligence materials (AIMs), their importance, and the dimensional scales at which intrinsic autonomy can be achieved for diverse applications. We briefly discuss the evolution of such systems with a focus on their advancements in nanomedicine.

We highlight MNBs by covering their contemporary traits and the emergence of a few start-ups in specific areas. Furthermore, we showcase various examples demonstrating that chemical tunability is an attractive primary approach for designing MNBs with immense capabilities in both biology and chemistry. Finally, we discuss biosafety and ethical considerations in designing MNBs in the era of artificial intelligence for varied applications.