AI Helps Deliver First Baby Through Fully Automated IVF System at Hope IVF Mexico

The male infant is born to a 40-year-old woman undergoing IVF treatment with donor eggs after a previous failed attempt at Hope IVF, Mexico, in Guadalajara.

The world's first baby conceived using a fully automated IVF system assisted by AI has been born.

The achievement, published in the journal Reproductive Biomedicine Online, showcased the automated system created by a team of experts led by embryologist Dr Jacques Cohen from Conceivable Life Sciences in New York and Guadalajara, Mexico.

The male infant is born to a 40-year-old woman undergoing IVF treatment with donor eggs after a previous failed attempt at Hope IVF in Mexico.

"This new system could change the way we do IVF. It offers more consistency, reduces stress for lab staff, and may even improve egg survival," said Dr Cohen.

Reduced Manual Intervention in IVF

The traditional intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) process, a standard method used in IVF, requires a single sperm to be injected directly into an egg manually and typically requires skilled embryologists.

The automated process, however, can carry out all 23 steps of the ICSI procedure without human hands, either through AI or remote digital control, increasing speed and accuracy. This can enhance consistency, reduce lab staff stress, and improve egg survival rates.

Out of five eggs that were fertilized using the system, four were successfully fertilized.

The machine utilizes an AI model to identify the healthiest sperm cells for fertilization based on their appearance. It then facilitates the sperm’s pickup by using a laser to zap their tails, effectively immobilizing them before injecting them into previously collected eggs.

Lead engineer Professor Gerardo Mendizabal-Ruiz stated, "With AI, the system autonomously selects sperm and precisely immobilizes its midsection with a laser ready for injection - executing this rapid, precise process with a level of accuracy beyond human capability."

Although the process took 9 minutes and 56 seconds per egg, slightly longer than standard manual ICSI, experts predict that future versions will be much faster.

Rapid Adoption of AI in IVF Treatments

Automation is already being used in other areas of IVF, such as embryo monitoring, freezing, and sperm preparation. This latest advancement could bring even more precision and standardization to fertility treatment.

While additional studies are needed to ensure its safety and effectiveness across a broader patient base, this innovation marks a significant milestone toward fully automated IVF.

Recently, a new study funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) suggests that AI could help improve success rates in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. Researchers from Imperial College London, the University of Glasgow, and the University of St Andrews, as well as clinicians from Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, conducted the research. They found that AI could assist in determining the optimal timing for triggering hormone injections during IVF treatments.

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