JMIR Publications’ News & Perspectives section: AI & genomics vs. Superbugs: New tools in the AMR fight

(Toronto, December 8, 2025) JMIR Publications continues its commitment to high-impact analysis in its "News & Perspectives" section with a new article detailing how digital innovations are transforming the fight against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)—one of the gravest threats to global health. The article, “Tracking Superbugs in the Digital Era,” outlines how hospitals and labs worldwide are leveraging whole-genome sequencing (WGS), artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) to detect "superbugs" faster than ever before.

The piece highlights the silent, but pervasive, spread of AMR—where bacteria evolve to outsmart powerful antibiotics—and contrasts it with slower, culture-based methods of detection that can take days or weeks. This delay often leads to the overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics, further exacerbating the resistance crisis.

The Digital Shift in AMR Defense

The article details several key shifts enabled by digital technology:

• Rapid Molecular Diagnostics: Techniques like WGS and metagenomic sequencing can now identify specific resistance genes in a matter of hours, allowing physicians to rapidly tailor therapy and, as seen in Europe, contain hospital outbreaks within days.

• Predictive AI Dashboards: AI and ML are being used to create "weather forecasts" for superbugs. These predictive models, trained on genomic data, forecast which strains are likely to develop resistance next, allowing hospitals to proactively adjust antibiotic use and infection-control measures. Pilot studies have shown these dashboards can reduce unnecessary broad-spectrum antibiotic use by up to 28%.

• Global Smart Surveillance: The development of robust Public Health Informatics (PHI) systems, such as the WHO’s GLASS and the NCBI Pathogen Detection Portal, is allowing laboratories worldwide to share genomic and clinical data in near real time. ML algorithms analyze this massive data flow to flag unusual resistance patterns and coordinate global interventions.

The article showcases incremental yet vital progress in resource-limited settings, noting that institutions like Siblin Governmental Hospital in Lebanon are successfully integrating rapid PCR assays and automated algorithms to reduce empirical antibiotic use and track resistant strains globally.

Challenges and the Path Forward

While digital intelligence is a powerful new tool, the article cautions that technology alone cannot solve the crisis. Challenges remain, particularly in low- and middle-income countries that may lack the infrastructure for real-time data sharing and genomic sequencing. The piece also raises ethical concerns around data privacy, algorithmic bias, and ensuring that these advancements benefit all populations equally.

Ultimately, the future of effective AMR management lies in building integrated digital ecosystems that combine human expertise, digital intelligence, and strong PHI infrastructure to curb the spread of resistance globally.

The "News & Perspectives" section of the Journal of Medical Internet Research is dedicated to delivering timely, intellectually responsible content, ensuring the health technology community stays informed on emerging trends and critical public health challenges.

The full article, “Tracking Superbugs in the Digital Era,” is available now in the "News & Perspectives" section of the Journal of Medical Internet Research.

About JMIR Publications News & Perspectives

JMIR Publications is a leading open access publisher of digital health research. The "News & Perspectives" section is the newest addition to its portfolio, established to bring the rigor and integrity of academic publishing to scientific journalism. The section features well-researched, expert-driven content from the Scientific News Editor, Kayleigh-Ann Clegg, PhD, and a network of specialist JMIR Publications Correspondents to keep the digital health community informed, inspired, and ahead of the curve.

About JMIR Publications

JMIR Publications is a leading open access publisher of digital health research and a champion of open science. With a focus on author advocacy and research amplification, JMIR Publications partners with researchers to advance their careers and maximize the impact of their work. As a technology organization with publishing at its core, we provide innovative tools and resources that go beyond traditional publishing, supporting researchers at every step of the dissemination process. Our portfolio features a range of peer-reviewed journals, including the renowned Journal of Medical Internet Research. To find out more about JMIR Publications, visit jmirpublications.com or connect with them on Bluesky, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.

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