Document Type : Review Article
Authors
1 Department of Agronomy, Animals, Food, Natural Resources and the Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
2 Institute of Science, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey.
3 Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Sciences, Central Campus, Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University, Turkestan, Kazakhstan.
4 Bahce Vocational School, Osmaniye Korkut Ata University, Management and Organization, Osmaniye, Turkey.
5 Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Nigde Omer Halisdemir University, Nigde, Turkey.
Abstract
Keywords
Main Subjects
1. Introduction
1.1. Context on vaccine development
Aaccinations are one of the greatest medical achievements in human history, credited with nearly eradicating fatal diseases like polio and smallpox. Despite this success, vaccine development has historically been a challenging process, requiring substantial time, financial investment, and resources. The development process is typically broken down into several critical phases: Exploratory research, preclinical testing, clinical trials, regulatory approval, and mass manufacturing and distribution. Each phase comes with its own set of difficulties. For example, identifying suitable antigens and understanding their immunogenic properties can take years. The inefficiencies of traditional vaccine development have been especially evident during global health crises, such as the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic and the 2014–2016 Ebola virus outbreak, where the creation of vaccines lagged behind the rapid spread of the viruses. While advances in bioinformatics and molecular biology have enhanced the accuracy of pathogen targeting, these fields have not been able to meet the speed and volume demands necessary for rapid vaccine production during health emergencies [1, 2]. Advancements in drug delivery systems play a crucial role in enhancing vaccine efficacy, stability, and immunogenicity. Traditional delivery methods, such as intramuscular and subcutaneous injections, often face challenges related to antigen degradation and limited immune response. Artificial intelligence (AI)-driven innovations have enabled the optimization of novel delivery platforms, including lipid nanoparticles, virus-like particles, and microneedle patches, improving bioavailability and controlled release. AI models assist in predicting nanoparticle interactions, refining formulation designs, and ensuring targeted immune activation. Additionally, AI facilitates personalized vaccine delivery by analyzing genetic and immunological data, optimizing dosages, and enhancing patient-specific immune responses. These advancements are particularly transformative for mRNA vaccines, which rely on lipid nanoparticle carriers for efficient intracellular delivery, improving vaccine potency and stability [2].
1.2. Evidence acquisition: the emergence of AI in healthcare
AI encompasses various computational approaches, including machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), natural language processing (NLP), and computer vision [3]. These technologies excel in their ability to learn from data, recognize patterns, and make decisions without direct human intervention. AI has had a transformative impact on healthcare, with applications spanning diagnostics, personalized medicine, drug development, and clinical trial optimization [4]. In the context of vaccine development, AI’s capacity to analyze vast amounts of biological data significantly accelerates the identification of potential vaccine candidates. In the post-genomic era, high-throughput sequencing methods produce large datasets, which AI systems can process to predict vaccine efficacy by evaluating epidemiological, genomic, and proteomic data [5]. Furthermore, AI can optimize vaccine distribution logistics, streamline manufacturing processes, and enhance clinical trial design, ultimately making vaccine development more efficient and responsive to global health needs [6].
This study aims to explore how AI is transforming vaccine research, development, and production, particularly in enhancing accessibility, efficacy, and efficiency in response to emerging infectious diseases.
2. AI in Vaccine Research
2.1. Role of AI in identifying vaccine targets
The identification of antigens—molecular structures that elicit an immune response—is a crucial initial step in the creation of vaccines. In the past, this has required arduous laboratory effort, protein isolation from bacteria or viruses, and testing in animal models [7]. Yet AI has transformed this procedure by employing sophisticated algorithms to find potential vaccination targets by sorting through enormous biological datasets [8]. AI methods, including supervised learning and unsupervised learning models, have demonstrated potential in the analysis of protein structures, identification of pathogen areas with high conservation, and prediction of antigenic epitopes [9]. To identify the epitopes most likely to trigger protective immunity, for example, ML models such as random forest and support vector machines (SVMs) may effectively analyze the sequencing data of a virus, such as SARS-CoV-2 (Table 1) [10].

The capacity of AI to simulate interactions between proteins is an additional significant benefit. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and recurrent neural networks (RNNs), in particular, are examples of DL models that have proven to be effective in comprehending how viral proteins interact with human immune cells and in predicting the three-dimensional structure of proteins. AI can assist in prioritizing antigens for vaccine development by mapping these interactions [11, 12].
2.2. Data mining and predictive analytic in vaccine discovery
The technique of collecting meaningful information from massive databases is known as data mining, and it has become an essential tool in the field of vaccine development [13]. Large libraries of genetic and epidemiological data are housed in public databases including GenBank, the Protein Data Bank (PDB), and the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID) [14]. These datasets may be quickly analyzed by AI-driven data mining tools to find trends that may guide the creation of vaccines. AI models may find trends in mutations, transmission, and severity by examining past viral epidemics of influenza, Ebola, and coronaviruses. These discoveries allow scientists to predict the features of upcoming virus strains and to predict future outbreaks. As demonstrated by coronaviruses like SARS and MERS, predictive analytics driven by AI can assist in identifying possible zoonotic spillover occurrences, allowing for proactive vaccine development [15, 16].
Additionally, by forecasting vaccine candidates’ efficacy using past vaccination performance data, AI may rank vaccine candidates in order of preference. Researchers can save a significant amount of time and money at the preclinical stage by using predictive models based on historical data from vaccine trials to determine which antigens are most likely to elicit a high immune response [17].
2.3. ML for antigen prediction
AI has demonstrated a pivotal role in enhancing the precision of antigen prediction, which is a crucial aspect of vaccine design. Peptide sequence analysis and antigenicity prediction have been performed using ML models, namely CNNs and LSTMs. This is accomplished by training the models to understand which sequence patterns are linked to potent immune responses using large datasets of known epitopes [18].
Using AI to forecast the antigenicity of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein epitopes during the COVID-19 vaccine development process is one well-known example [10]. The rapid creation of mRNA vaccines like those made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna was made possible by AI models’ ability to identify epitopes that were most likely to elicit neutralizing antibodies [19]. The capacity of AI to account for genetic diversity within pathogens is another benefit of utilizing AI for antigen prediction. This is especially crucial for quickly evolving viruses, such as HIV and influenza, where antigenic drift and shift can render vaccinations ineffective. In order to create vaccinations that offer wider protection, AI algorithms may be trained to forecast which virus variations are most likely to develop [20].
3. AI in Vaccine Development
3.1. Accelerating preclinical trials with AI
One major roadblock in the production of vaccines is preclinical testing, which entails research in laboratories and on animals. It may be time-consuming and expensive to assess vaccine candidates for safety and effectiveness using conventional methods. But by offering instruments to mimic biological systems and forecast the results of treatments prior to in vivo testing, AI has the potential to revolutionize preclinical research [21].
Through the use of AI-driven computer models, such as in silico trials, researchers may prioritize the most promising vaccine candidates for additional testing by simulating the immune system’s reaction to various formulations. These models can forecast a vaccine’s preclinical study outcomes by taking into consideration factors like adjuvant combinations, antigen dose, and administration route (intramuscular vs. subcutaneous, for example) [22]. The creation of new antigens using generative models is a potential use of AI in preclinical research. Virtual antigen candidates that are optimized for immunogenicity can be produced by researchers through the use of techniques such as Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs). As a result, less trial-and-error testing in the lab is required, hastening the creation of vaccines [23].
3.2. AI-driven design of vaccine formulations
The process of formulating vaccines is intricate and entails choosing an adjuvant and delivery mechanism in addition to the antigen that will stimulate the most potent and long-lasting immune response [24]. This procedure has historically relied heavily on in-depth in vitro and in vivo testing and has been mostly empirical. But by facilitating a more logical design approach, AI is revolutionizing vaccine development [25]. AI can anticipate which combinations of antigens and adjuvants will most effectively elicit the intended immune response by modeling their molecular interactions using molecular docking simulations [26]. This has been very helpful in the creation of vaccines using nanoparticles, which employ carefully designed particles to transfer antigens to immune cells. AI is also essential for maximizing the stability of vaccines. AI models are able to forecast which formulations will maintain their stability throughout storage and transportation by examining the molecular structures of adjuvants, stabilizers, and antigens. This is especially crucial for vaccines that depend on cold-chain logistics to be effective, such as the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines [27, 28].
3.3. Simulation models for clinical trial outcomes
One of the most costly and time-consuming stages of vaccine research is clinical trials, which can take several years to finish [29]. But by modeling trial results before they are carried out, AI can assist in lowering the length and expense of clinical trials [30]. Based on variables including age, gender, genetic background, and health status, these simulations employ sophisticated modeling approaches to forecast how various populations will react to a vaccine.
Adaptive trial design is one of the main uses of AI in clinical trial design [30]. Conventional clinical trials have a predetermined trial design from the start, which may result in inefficiencies if the vaccine’s performance isn’t as expected at first. On the other hand, researchers may adjust the trial design using AI-powered adaptive trials when fresh data becomes available, which maximizes resource allocation and lowers the risk of failure. AI may also be used to forecast the ideal dose for any demographic subgroup and simulate various dosing schedules. This is especially crucial when it comes to vaccinations, as a person’s age, health, and history of infection may all have a significant impact on their immune response [31].
4. AI in Vaccine Production
4.1. Optimization of manufacturing processes
Vaccines are produced on a large scale using complex procedures that call for accuracy, effectiveness, and adaptability—especially in times of pandemic or other public health emergencies. Thanks to its ability to analyze and find patterns in vast datasets created by manufacturing operations, AI has become a transformational tool for optimizing these processes and streamlining production. AI has the potential to maximize yield by optimizing bioreactor settings, such as ensuring that cells producing antigen proteins develop under ideal circumstances [32]. ML algorithms are able to anticipate the effects of various circumstances on antigen production by analyzing variables including pH, temperature, and nutrient levels. AI can drastically save the time and expense of producing vaccines by determining the most effective production conditions. AI also aids in the optimization of process scale-up from the laboratory to industrial levels, a crucial stage in the manufacture of vaccines. Large-scale manufacturing typically finds it difficult to reproduce the small-scale laboratory success using conventional methods [33]. But AI can simulate various situations and forecast the most effective ways to scale up, ensuring that the process remains economical and efficient even when manufacturing millions of doses [5].
4.2. Quality control and assurance through AI
To guarantee vaccines’ safety and effectiveness, quality control must be maintained throughout the manufacturing process. AI technologies are being used more often in quality control to track and evaluate the production process in real-time, lowering the possibility of human mistake and guaranteeing a consistent level of product quality.
Anomaly detection models, which are ML techniques, are employed to detect variations in production data that may signify problems with quality [34]. Such anomalous patterns —such as variations in antigen concentration, contamination, or temperature swings during storage —can be identified by these models and may otherwise go undetected. Early detection of these abnormalities by AI enables prompt remedial action, eliminating possible quality failures that could compromise the safety or effectiveness of vaccines.
By employing predictive analytics to foresee possible quality problems based on past data, AI also increases the accuracy of quality assurance. Manufacturers can take preventative measures to ensure product quality —for example, by analyzing data gathered from prior vaccine batches to forecast future quality trends (Table 2) [35].

4.3. Supply chain management and distribution
In the event of a global health emergency, prompt delivery of vaccinations to the intended populations depends on effective supply chain management. Demand forecasting, inventory management, and logistics optimization may all be significantly improved using AI-driven supply chain management systems. Accurately forecasting demand is one of the most important distribution issues for vaccines. AI algorithms have the capacity to examine several variables, including disease transmission trends, demographics of the population, and past vaccination records, in order to more accurately predict demand. As a result, producers and public health groups can modify their production plans to ensure that there are enough vaccine doses to fulfill demand [36]. Furthermore, vaccine distribution may be optimized by AI-powered logistics systems, guaranteeing that doses are given to the appropriate places at the appropriate times [37]. AI can identify the most effective ways to deliver vaccines, minimizing delays and reducing waste, by analyzing data on transportation routes, storage capacity, and cold chain needs [37, 38]. This is particularly crucial for vaccines that need to be maintained at extremely low temperatures and have strict cold chain requirements, such as the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine [37, 38]. AI may also be used to more efficiently manage the stock of vaccines. Health officials may restock vaccination supplies ahead of time by using predictive algorithms to predict when and where vaccine supplies will run low. AI may also be used to track the expiry dates of vaccines [37, 38].
5. AI in Vaccine Development Against Multidrug-resistant Bacteria
Several investigations have utilized AI-driven approaches, as presented in Table 3, to investigate the developement of vaccines that specifically target microorganisms resistant to multiple drugs. For example, an in-silico investigation employing AI approaches revealed 22 membrane proteins as putative antigens within the Helicobacter pylori proteome. Similarly, AI techniques were used in Acinetobacter baumannii research to suggest and experimentally confirm FilF, an outer membrane protein thought to serve as a pilus assembly protein, as a potential vaccine candidate. Another study using 33 A. baumannii genomes identified that AI-driven reverse vaccinology (RV) techniques might effectively find vaccine candidates that could protect against strains of the infection that are resistant to antibiotics. Furthermore, T-cell epitopes in a variety of Mycobacterium species have been identified and characterized using computational techniques. Interestingly, the application of immunoinformatics to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) using a number of AI-based methods has resulted in the discovery of immunogenic epitopes that may be included in candidate vaccines for further in vitro testing [39-43].

5.1. The role of AI in overcoming antimicrobial resistance
The development of new drugs and vaccines is required due to the rise of antimicrobial resistance. In vaccine research, AI-assisted computational methodologies offer a competitive alternative to conventional empirical methods. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the effectiveness of these AI techniques, which improved diagnostic capabilities and allowed for the rapid discovery and validation of new vaccine candidates [44].
AI systems are skilled at recognizing microbial components with low mutation rates, which guarantees the long-term effectiveness of vaccines. AI has the capability to monitor genetic alterations over time and optimize vaccine formulations by combining data from many experimental and real-world sources. Modern AI algorithms have made it possible to include RV approaches, which have revolutionised the discovery of prospective antigens and greatly streamlined the vaccine production process [44].
6. Challenges and Limitations
6.1. Ethical considerations in AI applications
Although AI offers many advantages for vaccine development, production, and research, it also poses serious ethical concerns. A significant issue is the possibility of bias in AI algorithms, especially in the context of vaccine candidate selection and clinical trial result prediction [45]. AI-driven vaccine development faces ethical challenges, particularly around data privacy, as sensitive health information is often required for training AI models. Ensuring secure data handling and adherence to privacy regulations like general data protection regulation (GDPR) and health insurance portability and accountability act (HIPAA) is essential [45]. AI algorithms may reinforce existing healthcare disparities by prioritizing communities that are already well-represented in the data if they are trained on skewed or incomplete datasets [46]. For instance, a ML model used to design clinical trials may not take into consideration the unique needs of individuals in low-income areas if it was trained largely on data from clinical trials carried out in high-income nations. Algorithmic bias remains a significant concern. AI models trained on non-diverse datasets may produce skewed results, affecting vaccine efficacy and safety across different populations. To mitigate this, researchers should prioritize diverse and inclusive datasets and actively address biases in the models. Otherwise, vaccines may become less effective or more difficult for underprivileged groups to access. Transparency is critical in AI decision-making. The black-box nature of DL models makes it difficult to understand how decisions are made, which can reduce trust in AI applications in vaccine development. Improved explainability of AI models is crucial to build confidence and ensure accountability. The key to reducing this risk is ensuring thatAI models are trained on a variety of representative datasets.
Concerns about data privacy are another ethical issue. AI models used in vaccine research frequently need access to enormous volumes of sensitive data, such as demographic, medical, and genetic information. It is crucial to ensure that this data is handled appropriately and is secured. Data breaches have the potential to jeopardize patient privacy and reduce public confidence in attempts to produce vaccines [47]. Establishing strong rules for the use of AI in vaccine development is crucial to address these ethical problems. According to Blanco-González et al. [47], these regulations should prioritize openness, accountability, and equity to ensure that AI is applied in a way that benefits all groups equally.
6.2. Data privacy and security concerns
The application of AI in vaccine development necessitates having access to sizable datasets, such as genetic data, clinical trial data, and patient health records [48]. Al-Khassawneh et al. (2023) [49] note that although these data are helpful for training AI models, they also creates serious privacy and security problems. The healthcare industry frequently experiences data breaches, which can have serious repercussions. Sensitive patient information that is lost or stolen may result in identity theft, discrimination, or other negative outcomes [46]. Furthermore, a well-publicized data leak has the potential to erode public confidence in the institutions responsible for developing vaccines, thus impeding vaccination rates [48].
Organizations must put strict security measures in place to safeguard the data they gather in order to reduce these dangers. To protect sensitive information, this involves utilizing technology like encryption, access restrictions, and others. Moreover, businesses should take a data-minimization strategy, gathering just the information required to train AI models and making sure that data is anonymized whenever feasible [49]. In addition to technological controls, legislative frameworks that govern AI applications in healthcare and guarantee patients’ rights are crucial [50]. Many nations have privacy laws that provide guidelines for data protection, such as the HIPAA in the US and the GDPR in the EU; however, as AI technologies advance, more laws may be required [50].
7. Future Directions
7.1. Advancements in AI technologies
The use of AI technologies in vaccine development is expected to grow as they develop further. Quantum computing is one of the most fascinating fields of AI research because it has the potential to completely change how data is processed. Quantum computers may process several states at once, which enables them to do complex computations at previously unheard-of rates, in contrast to conventional computers, which process information in binary (0s and 1s). Quantum computing has the potential to significantly speed up the process of finding potential vaccine candidates by enabling researchers to analyze large datasets faster than they can now. Looking toward the future, quantum computing holds the potential to process larger datasets, making AI models more efficient in vaccine research. Additionally, AI could play a key role in the development of personalized vaccines, creating tailored vaccines based on individual genetic profiles. To better understand how vaccines function and might be improved, quantum algorithms, for instance, could be used to model the atomic-level interactions between viral proteins and the immune system.
Apart from quantum computing, the prediction accuracy of AI models utilized in vaccine research is anticipated to increase due to developments in AI algorithms. For instance, the creation of more complex DL models, like transformers, may improve AI’s capacity to forecast antigenicity and improve vaccine compositions. These developments will be especially crucial for creating vaccines against complex infections like HIV, where more conventional methods have failed.
The integration of AI with other cutting-edge technologies, such as synthetic biology and CRISPR, is another exciting field of study. Through the integration of AI’s predictive powers with the accuracy of gene-editing instruments, scientists might potentially create entirely new vaccination classes that are both more efficient and simpler to manufacture.
8. Conclusion
8.1. Summary of key findings
AI is significantly transforming vaccine research, development, and manufacturing. By enabling faster identification of vaccine targets, optimizing antigenicity predictions, improving manufacturing processes, and ensuring quality control, AI accelerates vaccine development. The use of ML, DL, and NLP allows researchers to analyze large datasets, predict clinical outcomes, and optimize formulations more efficiently. These advancements are particularly crucial in responding to emerging infectious diseases, where rapid vaccine development is vital. However, challenges such as the need for multidisciplinary collaboration and ethical concerns related to bias and data privacy must be addressed to ensure AI’s fair and ethical use in vaccine development.
8.2. The future of AI in vaccine development
As AI technologies advance, their impact on vaccine development will continue to grow. Quantum computing, improved AI algorithms, and collaboration with other technologies could revolutionize vaccine creation, particularly for complex infections. AI also has the potential to enhance global vaccine equity by optimizing supply chains, reducing costs, and ensuring more equitable distribution. Future innovations will stem from closer collaboration between AI experts and vaccine researchers, leading to faster, more effective responses to emerging infectious diseases and global health crises.
Ethical Considerations
Compliance with ethical guidelines
This review article adheres to ethical guidelines for scholarly writing.
Data availability
The data supporting the findings of this study are available upon reasonable request from the corresponding author.
Funding
This research did not receive any grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or non-profit sectors.
Authors' contributions
Conceptualization, investigation and formal analysis: Muhammad Yasir Naeem and Batuhan Selamoglu; Data curation: Muhammad Yasir Naeem, Batuhan Selamoglu, Koshanova Gulnazira Danebekovna, and Mesut Selamoglu; Supervision and writing the original draft: Zeliha Selamoglu; Review and editing: Koshanova Gulnazira Danebekovna and Mesut Selamoglu.
Conflict of interest
The authors declared no conflict of interests.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank all contributors included in this systematic review.
References