Abstract Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with increased morbidity/mortality. With artificial intelligence (AI), more dynamic models for mortality prediction in AKI patients have been developed using machine learning (ML) algorithms. The performance of various ML models were reviewed in their ability to predict in-hospital mortality (IHM) for AKI patients. Methods A literature search was conducted through Pubmed, Embase, and Web of Science Databases. Included studies contained variables regarding the efficacy of the AI model (AUC, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value (PPV)). Only original studies which consisted of cross-sectional studies, prospective and retrospective studies were included, while reviews and self-reported outcomes were excluded. There was no restriction on time and geographic location. Results 8 studies with 37 032 AKI patients were included with a mean age of 65.3 years. The IHM was 18.0% in the derivation and 15.8% in the validation cohorts. The pooled (95% CI) AUC was observed to be highest for Broad Learning System (BLS) Models: [0.852 (0.820–0.883) and Elastic Net Final Model (ENF) [0.852 (0.813–0.891)] and lowest for proposed clinical model (PCM) [0.765 (0.716–0.814)]. The pooled (95% CI) AUC of BLS and ENF did not differ significantly from other models except PCM [Delong's test P = 0.022]. PCM exhibited the highest NPV, which supports this model's use as a possible rule out tool. Conclusion Our results show that BLS & ENF Models are equally effective as other ML models, in predicting in-hospital mortality with variability across all models. Additional studies are needed.