The complex pelvic anatomy of rectal cancer poses high demands on minimally invasive surgery in terms of precise dissection, radical tumor resection, and functional preservation. In recent years, laparoscopic, robotic, transanal, and ultra-low anterior resection techniques have continuously expanded the boundaries of minimally invasive surgery for rectal cancer. Meanwhile, digital artificial intelligence (AI) is being increasingly applied to preoperative imaging analysis, 3D reconstruction, surgical risk assessment, and personalized treatment planning. By enabling intraoperative anatomical recognition, real-time navigation, and risk alerts, AI is driving the evolution of minimally invasive surgery from mechanical assistance toward intelligent, integrated development. However, challenges remain, including insufficient data standardization, limited model generalizability, and a lack of high-level clinical evidence. In the future, with advances in multimodal data integration and intelligent robotics, digital AI is expected to further enhance the precision, safety, and consistency of quality in minimally invasive rectal cancer surgery.