Page 13 - The Indian EYE 061226

Op-Ed JUNE 12, 2026 | The Indian Eye 13

One of the hardest things about AMR is that it does not announce itself clearly. A resistant
infection can look, at first, like any other infection. The difference often becomes visible only
after laboratory testing, and that process takes time (File photo)

PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACT from more than 80 sources, including
AI’s role in the AMR response stakeholder interviews in Nepal and
does not stop at diagnosis. Dr. Sty- India, to understand how the United
czynski also describes how AI is being States can support existing national
used to monitor infection trends, pro- goals. She sees India as especially im-
cess whole genome sequencing data, portant because it brings both scientif-
and even accelerate the search for ic capability and real-world relevance
new antibiotics. to the problem. “I think India is well
“There have been several com- poised to contribute on the technology
panies using AI-based platforms for side as well as on the microbiological
the development of novel antibiotics,” side, because some of the pathogens
she says. “Some of them can screen we’re most concerned about tend to
millions of compounds in a matter of come from this region.”
hours to identify potential therapies.” That combination gives U.S.-In-
Another promising development dia cooperation a particular advan-
involves tailoring treatment decisions tage. American leadership in AI tools,
more closely to the individual patient. data analytics, and moving innova-
“Some researchers have been able to tion from concept to implementation
use large language models to develop can work alongside Indian expertise,
personalized antibiograms that can data systems, and innovation capaci-
stratify the likely risk of different types ty. “Collaborations between the Unit-
of resistant infections, so that antibiot- ed States and India can inform these
ics can be prescribed more accurately tools in a way that creates the most
while a patient is waiting for a defini- usable and impactful outcomes,” she
tive diagnosis.” says. “There is a lot of microbial nu-
Even so, much of the work re- ances in the Indian context that could
mains in its early stages. “We know be leveraged to adapt and tune these
that there is often a lag between the models to create more useful outputs.”
development of a technology and its She also highlights India’s in-
availability in the rural village where creasing contribution to global AMR
it’s really needed,” she says. data, including through partnerships
That realism is part of what makes with CDC. “India is providing data
her message resonate. U.S. leadership through platforms like its AMR sur-
is not only about inventing powerful veillance systems, which the CDC is a
tools. It is also about building trusted technical partner in supporting. This
partnerships, supporting systems, and helps ensure that we are getting robust
helping move promising technology data to drive solutions.”
toward wider public benefit. For India, the promise of trusted,
That includes public-private ef- high-standard U.S. AI frameworks lies
forts such as CARB-X, which is an ex- in their ability to strengthen domestic
ample of how the United States has sup- capacity while staying grounded in lo-
ported the early development of new cal needs. For the United States, this
diagnostics and therapeutics, including work reflects something equally im-
through novel AI applications, with portant: making America healthier
partners in India also receiving support. by confronting shared health threats
early, investing in innovation, and
INDIA’S ROLE building partnerships strong enough
Dr. Styczynski’s current fellow- to keep pace with a changing micro-
ship focuses on gathering information bial world.

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