In a groundbreaking moment for healthcare, the world’s first infant was born via a fully automated and digitally controlled intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) process. This achievement marks a significant advancement in the use of AI and robotics in reproductive medicine.
A research paper published in Reproductive Biomedicine Online details the case of a 40-year-old woman with primary infertility and a reduced ovarian reserve. She, along with her 43-year-old partner, who had moderate teratozoospermia, sought ICSI treatment after several failed in vitro fertilization (IVF) attempts. The couple traveled to a fertility clinic in Mexico for the procedure, where AI-assisted ICSI was used.
Of the five eggs treated, four were successfully fertilized, leading to the first live birth through this method. The embryos were evaluated using the Embryo Ranking Intelligent Classification Algorithm (Erica), while automated software selected the sperm for fertilization.
This fully automated system successfully carried out the ICSI process under remote supervision, highlighting a major leap for AI in healthcare. While it took longer than traditional manual ICSI, experts believe that further automation will reduce the need for human intervention over time. The next step in this technology’s evolution is ensuring that it operates safely without on-site human supervision.
The automated system used in this case represents a major leap from earlier models that only automated certain parts of the ICSI process. According to the research, its future success depends on perfecting its safety and reliability, which would lead to fully autonomous IVF procedures.
Meanwhile, India’s IVF industry has shown rapid growth, driven by AI integration. A government-funded initiative called the IndiaAI Mission, which targets key sectors like healthcare, is helping to push this progress. AI-powered IVF treatments have become increasingly popular, offering improvements in both the efficiency and affordability of fertility treatments.
Dr. Madhu L, founder and medical director at Safe IVF Centre in Shivamogga, shared that while IVF costs and success rates vary, AI could transform the sector. He emphasized, however, that Indian patients often care more about successful results than the technology behind their treatments.
The introduction of AI tools in India’s IVF clinics has already led to reduced treatment costs and better outcomes. AI-assisted sperm selection and embryo monitoring have enabled clinics to improve the chances of successful pregnancies. In fact, the Sunflower Infertility and IVF Center in Ahmedabad is already using AI to track egg development and select the highest-quality embryos for implantation.
India’s IVF market is booming, valued at $864.6 million in 2024 and expected to grow at a rate of 15.4% annually. However, Dr. Madhu cautioned that it may take up to five years to fully assess the impact of AI on India’s IVF success rates.
Additionally, new AI tools are emerging to assist in the IVF process. Bloom IVF Centre in India has introduced Life Whisperer AI, which helps assess embryo quality to improve pregnancy outcomes. Other AI-powered systems, like LensHooke, are being used for semen analysis, while Sp0vum, a tech startup, is developing a gripper-based technique called RoboICSI for safer IVF procedures.
While the deployment of AI in reproductive health is promising, experts emphasize the importance of safe implementation and rigorous testing. As AI continues to evolve, it is expected to play an increasingly central role in addressing infertility and improving reproductive health outcomes worldwide.
Related Topics:
