AI helped couple conceive after trying for 19 years: Here’s how

Days after OpenAI banned ChatGPT from providing medical advice, artificial intelligence has been reported to help a couple conceive after nearly two decades of infertility. According to The Lancet, researchers at Columbia University used an AI-based system that scanned 25 lakh images of a semen sample over 2 hours to identify two viable sperm cells, something that conventional methods had failed to achieve. The sperm were later used to fertilise eggs, resulting in a successful pregnancy.

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As per the report, the 39-year-old man and his 37-year-old partner had undergone multiple failed IVF cycles and surgical extractions with no success. Traditional microscopic searches often reveal “a sea of cellular debris, with no sperm visible,” said Zev Williams, director of the Columbia University Fertility Centre. Many such couples are told they have little chance of conceiving biologically.

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To address this challenge, the researchers developed Sperm Tracking and Recovery (STAR), an AI-assisted technique that uses high-speed imaging and machine learning to locate rare sperm cells in samples previously classified as sperm-free. The system is said to scan over eight million images in less than an hour, identifying potential sperm cells with exceptional precision.

How this AI system works

Once the AI pinpoints a viable sperm cell, a microfluidic chip with tiny, hair-like channels isolates the portion of the sample containing it. A robotic arm then extracts the sperm, which can either be used immediately for fertilisation or preserved for later use. In this case, STAR identified seven sperm cells, two of which were motile. These were injected into mature eggs, leading to the formation of embryos and eventually a successful pregnancy.

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At eight weeks, the patient’s ultrasound showed normal fetal development and a healthy heartbeat. While this is based on a single successful case, larger clinical trials are underway. If validated, STAR could transform fertility treatments, offering new hope to men with azoospermia.

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Himani Jha

Himani Jha is a tech news writer at Digit. Passionate about smartphones and consumer technology, she has contributed to leading publications such as Times Network, Gadgets 360, and Hindustan Times Tech for the past five years. When not immersed in gadgets, she enjoys exploring the vibrant culinary scene, discovering new cafes and restaurants, and indulging in her love for fine literature and timeless music. View Full Profile