Background <p>Peptides have garnered significant attention in recent years as multifunctional and promising therapeutic agents due to their high specificity, excellent biocompatibility, and diverse biological activities.</p> Purpose <p>This review aims to provide an extensive overview of peptide therapeutics and their wide-ranging applications, particularly in treating infectious diseases, cancer, lifestyle disorders, and in cosmetic formulations. It also emphasizes the emerging role of artificial intelligence (AI) in advancing peptide research.</p> Methods <p>The review synthesizes and analyzes current literature on the therapeutic use of peptides across various disease areas, recent innovations in peptide design and delivery systems, and the integration of AI technologies for peptide discovery and optimization.</p> Results <p>Peptides are shown to be effective against infectious diseases (antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, and antiviral), cancer (via anticancer peptides), and metabolic disorders like diabetes and obesity. In the cosmetic industry, peptides are increasingly incorporated into skincare and anti-aging products. Additionally, advancements in peptide delivery systems are addressing issues of stability and bioavailability. AI plays a pivotal role in streamlining the discovery pipeline, enabling data-driven innovations, and fostering the development of personalized peptide-based therapies.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>