Researchers from the Centres for Antimicrobial Optimisation Network (CAMO-Net) have played a leading role in two papers published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases as part of a three-part Series exploring the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in tackling infectious diseases.
The Series, launched this week, examines how AI can support infectious disease prevention and management across clinical care, diagnostics, outbreak detection, infection control, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It highlights both the opportunities and challenges of integrating AI into health systems worldwide.
The second paper in the Series, Artificial intelligence and infectious disease diagnostics: state of the art and future perspectives, focuses on how AI can enhance pathogen detection, optimise laboratory workflows, and improve antimicrobial stewardship. CAMO-Net researchers, including Dr Ronald Galiwango, Bioinformatics Scientist and Data Science Lead at CAMO-Net Uganda, contributed to this work.
“AI has the potential to revolutionise infectious disease diagnostics in Africa and beyond, but only if its development is rooted in equity and adapted to local realities. Being part of this paper allowed us to emphasise the importance of ensuring these technologies are accessible and impactful in resource-limited settings,” said Dr Ronald Galiwango.
The third paper, Artificial intelligence and infectious diseases: tackling antimicrobial resistance, from personalised care to antibiotic discovery, explores how AI can support the discovery of new antibiotics, strengthen stewardship, and underpin early warning systems for AMR. This article was led by Professor William Hope, Dame Sally Davies Chair of AMR Research and CAMO-Net UK co-lead based at the University of Liverpool.
“Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest health challenges of our time. AI can help us uncover new antibiotics, optimise their use, and protect them for the future. Through this Series, we aim to show what is possible when innovation is paired with international collaboration,” said Professor William Hope.
Reflecting on the Series as a whole, Professor Alison Holmes, David Price Evans Chair in Global Health and Infectious Diseases at the University of Liverpool and CAMO-Net Director, emphasised the need for global cooperation.
“The Lancet Series is an important step in shaping how AI can support infectious disease management worldwide. Our focus has been on ensuring that these technologies serve people everywhere, particularly in settings where the burden of disease is greatest. CAMO-Net’s contribution demonstrates the power of equitable, global partnerships to generate knowledge that is relevant, sustainable, and transformative,” said Professor Alison Holmes, CAMO-Net Director.
Together, the three Lancet papers provide an evidence-driven framework for understanding AI’s role in infectious disease management. CAMO-Net’s contribution highlights the network’s impact in shaping international dialogue on antimicrobial resistance and infectious disease control, ensuring that new tools and technologies are applied in ways that are equitable, sustainable, and globally relevant.
You can read the full series of papers from the Lancet here.
