AI-Enhanced CRISPR Bioinformatics for Environmental Biotechnology and Public Health Resilience: A comprehensive review

The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and CRISPR-Cas technologies has sparked a transformative revolution in genome editing, reshaping environmental biotechnology and public health resilience with unprecedented precision and scalability. This comprehensive review synthesizes advancements from the last decade, exploring how AI-enhanced CRISPR bioinformatics optimizes guide RNA design, predicts editing outcomes, and integrates multi-omics data to address global challenges like environmental degradation and infectious disease outbreaks. In environmental biotechnology, AI-CRISPR systems empower innovative bioremediation strategies, engineering microbes to degrade pollutants like plastics and heavy metals, while fostering sustainable agriculture through climate-resilient crops and supporting biodiversity conservation via gene drives and genetic rescue. In public health, these technologies revolutionize rapid pathogen detection with tools like SHERLOCK, combat antimicrobial resistance, and promote health equity by enabling accessible diagnostics and therapies in underserved communities. Despite their promise, technical challenges such as computational costs, data scarcity, and off-target risks, alongside ethical and regulatory complexities, persist. Future research priorities include developing low-cost platforms, advancing multi-omics integration, and establishing global governance frameworks to ensure equitable and responsible deployment. This review underscores the interdisciplinary synergy of AI and CRISPR, illuminating a path toward sustainable ecosystems and resilient health systems, while calling for continued innovation to overcome barriers and maximize impact.