Handbook of Microbial Artificial Intelligence: Applications and Ethical Considerations

This book explores the transformative intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and microbiology, introducing the concept of microbial artificial intelligence (MAI). Designed to bridge the gap between microbiology and AI, it provides a comprehensive overview of fundamental AI concepts, practical applications, limitations, ethical considerations, and future opportunities in this emerging field.

Featuring contributions from a global team of experts, the book is structured into two distinct sections for a deeper exploration of MAI. The first section introduces the fundamentals of MAI, offering microbiologists a clear understanding of AI principles and their relevance to microbiology. The second section highlights real-world applications of MAI across diverse industries, including healthcare, genomics, metagenomics, drug discovery, antimicrobial resistance, biofuel production, food quality and safety, astrobiology, and forensic science. This section addresses critical issues such as bias in MAI, ethical challenges, and the impact of data collection and interpretation on research outcomes, while proposing strategies to mitigate these challenges.

This essential resource is ideal for students and researchers eager to explore the potential of MAI and understand AI’s growing influence on microbiology. It also serves as valuable supplementary reading for AI professionals seeking insights into broader applications of AI across scientific disciplines.

Dr Sesan Abiodun Aransiola is a Lecturer at the Department of Microbiology, University of Abuja, and Philomath University, Abuja, Nigeria. He obtained his BTech, MTech and Ph.D in Environmental Microbiology from the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria. He has demonstrated his research expert in the production of vermicasts from vermicoposting of organic wastes to assist plants in the remediation of polluted soil with heavy metals. His expertise spans environmental health, phytoremediation, vermicomposting, marine resources and bioremediation of pollutants in the soil. Aransiola’s research is deeply rooted in innovative solutions for soil and water remediation, with significant contributions to microbial biotechnology and waste management. He is an award-winning researcher of different grant including TETFUND/DR&D/CE/UNU/ABUJA/IBR/2025/VOL.1. He has over 130 publications including book chapters, research and review articles of good international repute with high impact factor. He has co-edited scientific books of global interest which include microbial biotechnology for bioenergy, marine bioresources: prospects and obstacles, marine bioresources: prospects and obstacles, marine microbial products: applications and opportunities (Elsevier). Ecological interplays in microbial enzymology, prospects for soil regeneration and its impact on environmental protection, Soil microbiome in green technology sustainability, marine bioprospecting for sustainable blue-bioeconomy, vermitechnology: economic, environmental and agricultural sustainability, white pollution: biodiversity and hazards in marine plastisphere, wetland ecosystems: conservation strategies, policy management and applications (Springer). Microbial biofilms – applications and control, marine greens: environmental, agricultural, industrial and biomedical applications, environmental footprint of bioplastic additives, emerging contaminants in food and food products, phytoremediation in food safety: risks and prospects, biotoxins in food: threats and benefits, fuel cells in environmental sustainability, biotechnology of climate-smart agriculture in food security and sustainable farming (CRC Press) with many more in the process. Dr Aransiola has been a review editor and as guest editor, he hosted two special issues with Elsevier (Research in Microbiology) and Frontiers on biofilms – community, structure, applications and mitigation and effects of microplastics on soil ecosystems respectively. Previously before joining academic, he rose to the rank of assistant chief scientific officer at National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency, Nigeria where he was involved in the uses of vinasse (a by-product of ethanol) as bio-fertilizer to reclaim polluted soil for agricultural purposes. Dr. Aransiola’s academic journey is complemented by robust research, teaching career (with proper mentoring and supervising both undergraduate and post graduate students) and active involvement in community services, where he leverages his knowledge to foster sustainability. His contributions continue to impact both academia and the broader environmental sciences community. He is a member of Nigerian Society for Microbiology, Association of Environmental Impact Assessment of Nigeria (Affiliation of International Association for Impact Assessment) and American Society for Microbiology.

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Kondakindi Venkateswar Reddy received his M.Sc (Microbiology) 2006-2008 from Sri Krishnadevyaraya University, Anantapur, Andhrapradesh, M.Tech (Environmental Management) and Ph.D (2017) in Environmental Science and Technology from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad, Telangana. During his doctoral program in the area of industrial microbiology, he worked on isolation, characterization and molecular identification of Cellulase Producing bacterial isolates used in aquaculture waste water treatment. He has been working as a faculty in Microbiology and Biotechnology for past15 years, teaching undergraduate and post graduate students. His forte is Industrial microbiology, Biotechnology and Environmental management. He has successfully completed four AICTE approved Faculty development programmes in the areas of Applied Environmental microbiology, Experimental Biotechnology. Biochemistry and Cell biology. He has published 50 book chapters (Springer/ Taylor and Francis/ Elsevier), 4 Books one from Springer and one from Royal Society of Chemistry, 50 research papers and Five Review articles in reputed journals. He has active reviewer in Elsevier, Taylor and Francies, Springer etc., He has actively participated in 25 National/ International conferences, and presented various research papers in prestigious Universities. Currently, he is working as an Asst. Professor at Center for Biotechnology, University College of Engineering Science and Technology Hyderabad, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad. Telangana, India.

Dr Oluwafemi Adebayo Oyewole holds a BTech Degree in Microbiology (2004) and MTech Degree in Microbiology with specialization in Environmental Microbiology (2010), from Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger State, Nigeria. He obtained his PhD in Environmental Microbiology (2016) from the University of Portsmouth, UK. He is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology Minna, Nigeria. His current roles include teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students and research supervision in the areas of Environmental, Productive and Applied Microbiology. He has been involved in several administrative responsibilities within and outside the University. He has supervised 77 undergraduate, 14 MTech and 11 PhD students. He is also engaging in community development and professional consultancy services outside of the University and engaged in editorial/academic support services. He has received multiple categories of Awards of Excellence in his field and was listed among the top 500 authors based on scholarly output between 2021 and 2025, according to SCOPUS/SCiVal at Elsevier B.V 2025. He was also named among the Top scientists in three fields―microbiology, biochemistry, and agricultural and biological sciences. So far, his publications have produced more than 1982 total citations with an h-index of 20 and i-10 index of 48 according to Google Scholar. He has over 300 research publications in Journals, books, conference proceedings and GenBank submission, won some research grants, has 6 patents from his research findings and is a member of Professional Associations.

Prof. Ebenezer Esenogho (NRF C2 Rated) is a highly accomplished academic and researcher with a distinguished career spanning close to two decades. He holds a Diploma in Computer Engineering (Upper Division, 2002/2003), a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Computer Engineering (Second Class Honours, Upper Division, 2007/2008), and a Master of Engineering in Electronics Engineering (2010/2011) from the University of Benin, Nigeria. Prof. Ebenezer lectured at the University of Benin, where he rose to the rank of Senior Lecturer. From 2013 to 2016, he pursued his PhD in Electronic Engineering at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), South Africa, under the Centre of Radio Access and Rural Technology (CRART), a Centre of Excellence. His doctoral studies were funded by leading industry players, including Telkom SA, Eskom, Alcatel, Ericsson, and Huawei. Following his PhD, Prof. Ebenezer was awarded the prestigious Global Excellence and Stature (GES) Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), where he conducted cutting-edge research in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) domain at the Institute for Intelligent Systems (IIS) and the Centre for Telecommunications (CfT). After that, he served as a Senior Research Associate at CfT and as Research Coordinator for the Centre for Collaborative Digital Networks. Prior to his deployment on the Diplomatic/Foreign mission to Uganda with the Nigeria Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the Technical Aid Corps program. Prof. Ebenezer was appointed as an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical, Telecommunications, and Computer Engineering at Kampala International University, Uganda, where he contributed to the training of manpower in the East African educational sector. He was later appointed as an Expatriate Senior Lecturer at the University of Botswana, where he supported the research roadmap in Electronics, Telecommunications, Artificial Intelligence, developed new short programs, and contributed to the Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA) review of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Currently, Ebenezer Esenogho is appointed a Distinguished Professor and the Head of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Multidisciplinary Innovation Studies (CAIMIS) at the University of South Africa (UNISA), Pretoria campus where is mentoring over thirty postdoctoral research fellows and hosting over ten Research Associate. He is also a Visiting Professor at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Uganda, where he supports postgraduate supervision and mentor junior staff members in the field of AI/ML. Prof. Ebenezer is a recipient of numerous grants, scholarships, awards, and fellowships, including the CEPS/Eskom HVDC (2013, 2014), J.W. Nelson Award (2015), GES Post-Doctoral Fellowship (2017, 2018, 2019/20), the French/South Africa Institute of Technology (F' SAIT) SARChi Chair (2021) and NRF research grant award (2025). In 2025, he was awarded the prestigious National Research Foundation (NRF) C2-rating for researchers of international repute. His research excellence was recognized with the best oral paper presentation award at the UJ Postdoctoral Fellowship Conference in 2019. A dedicated academic leader, Prof. Ebenezer has served in various leadership roles, which includes the first postgraduate representative on the Faculty Management Board of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (2015-2016) and as the first postdoctoral research fellow representative in the University of Johannesburg Senate (2018-2020). He was also a UJ/DST/NRF research delegate to the H2020-ESASTAP EU-South Africa STI Cooperation in Vienna, Austria, aimed at strengthening technology, research, and innovation ties between South Africa and the European Union. Prof. Ebenezer has supervised numerous postgraduate students (Postdoc, PhD, M.Phil. and Master) and has authored/co-authored several peer-reviewed journal articles and conference papers. He has chaired sessions at international conferences and serves on the editorial board of the KIU Journal of Science, Engineering, and Technology. His expertise as a reviewer has led to his appointment as an external grant proposal assessor for the Australian University Kuwait (Grant No. PN18-15EE-01) and grant reviewer for the Kuwait Foundation for Advance Science (KFAS). His research interests include but not limited to Fifth Generation (5G) Wireless Networks, Cognitive Radio Networks, Network Security/Cybersecurity, Smart Grid, IoT/IoE, SDN/SDR, Wireless Sensor Networks, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Big Data, and Mobile/Cloud Computing. Prof. Ebenezer is a registered Engineer in Nigeria, and a member of the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE), IEEE Region 8, and several other professional bodies. Prof. Ebenezer is deeply committed to service to humanity, having engaged in numerous community development initiatives in South Africa, Uganda, Botswana, and his home country, Nigeria. His contributions to academia, research, and mentorship continue to inspire and shape the future of engineering and technology in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Naga Raju Maddela received his M.Sc. (1996–1998) and Ph.D. (2012) in Microbiology from Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapuramu, India. During his doctoral program in the area of Environmental Microbiology, he investigated the effects of industrial effluents/insecticides on soil microorganisms and their biological activities and he is working as Faculty in Microbiology since 1998, teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students. He worked on Prometeo Investigator (fellowship received from SENESCYT) at Universidad Estatal Amazónica, Ecuador during 2013-15, received "Postdoctoral Fellowship" (2016–2018) from Sun Yat-sen University, China. He also received external funding from "China Postdoctoral Science Foundation" in 2017, internal funding from "Universidad Técnica de Manabí" in 2020. He participated in national / international conferences, and presented research data in China, Cuba, Ecuador, India and Singapore. Currently, he is working as a Full Professor at the Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Portoviejo, Ecuador. He has been actively publishing scientific articles, books (authored and edited) and chapters since 2007. As of now, he published over 100 articles, 30 books and 40 book chapters.