Artificial Intelligence and Bioengineering Approaches for Antimicrobial Resistance Prediction

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major challenge, particularly in intensive care units, where broad-spectrum therapy is often initiated before microbiological confirmation. Artificial intelligence (AI) may improve AMR prediction, but its clinical value depends on integration with bioengineering-enabled digital microbiology. This narrative review examines how AI, bioengineering platforms and digital microbiology can support AMR prediction, clinical decision support and antimicrobial stewardship across the sample-to-decision pipeline. Materials and Methods: A targeted narrative review was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar. Publications from 2020 onward were prioritized, while earlier seminal studies, methodological frameworks and regulatory documents were included when relevant. Evidence was synthesized across AI-based resistance prediction, antimicrobial stewardship, digital microbiology and bioengineering technologies. Results: AI and machine-learning approaches showed promising performance in patient-level resistance prediction, pathogen-level susceptibility prediction and antimicrobial stewardship. For example, model discrimination reached an AUROC of 0.936 for carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae prediction, while model-guided empirical therapy in Enterobacterales bloodstream infections could have increased active beta-lactam therapy from 70% to 79%. However, most evidence remains retrospective and single-centre, with limited external or prospective validation. Conclusions: AI has considerable potential to support AMR prediction and antimicrobial stewardship, but current evidence primarily demonstrates technical feasibility rather than established clinical effectiveness. Broader implementation will require rigorous validation, integration into clinical workflows, continuous monitoring and demonstration of clinical benefit.