Application of artificial intelligence in geriatric infection: recent advances and prospects

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Background As global population aging accelerates, infectious diseases in older adults have emerged as a growing public health burden with substantial clinical, economic, and societal implications. The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) offers a transformative opportunity to enhance the management of infections in this vulnerable population. Methods This review delineates key determinants specific to geriatrics that influence infection susceptibility and atypical presentation, including age-related organ dysfunction, immunosenescence, inflammaging, chronic comorbidities, and psychosocial factors, and summarizes the recent advances in AI applications across the management for infectious diseases in older adults. Results AI has made significant progress in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases in older adults: early detection of clinical deterioration, rapid and etiologically precise diagnosis, individualized therapeutic optimization, AI-facilitated antimicrobial stewardship, and accelerated discovery of novel antimicrobial strategies. Conclusion AI shows great potential in helping prevent, diagnose, and treat infections in older adults, and represents a promising complement to traditional care approaches.