The state of the art in IR thermal imaging methods for applications in medical diagnostics is discussed. A review of advances in IR thermal imaging technology in the years 1960-2024 is presented. Recently used artificial intelligence (AI) methods in the analysis of thermal images are the main interest. IR thermography is discussed in view of novel applications of machine learning methods for improved diagnostic analysis and medical treatment. The AI approach aims to improve image quality by denoising thermal images, using applications of AI super-resolution algorithms, removing artifacts, object detection, face and characteristic features localization, complex matching of diagnostic symptoms, etc.