New Delhi: Artificial intelligence has conquered a new frontier. The Aura system, which essentially automates the in-vitro fertilisation processes, is instilling renewed hope in couples deemed infertile. In the last three years, 20 babies have been conceived through this new-age IVF treatment, according to a report in The Washington Post.
The nucleus of the experiment is Mexico City. It helps couples who cannot afford traditional IVF treatment—they participate in the Aura system free of cost and are part of the clinical trials. While currently localised, the experiment stands to benefit hugely from a global landscape of infertile couples, homosexual couples, or women wanting to freeze their eggs.
Research shows that the AI is more accurate, more discerning when it comes to choosing the fastest-moving sperm, outperforming even the best embryologists. The team, at Mexico’s first-ever documentation, showed that the computer was outperforming doctors by 11.6 per cent.
The dramatically successful results are also gaining interest from investors. Alejandro Chávez–Badiola and his co-founder, who have built Aura and its parent company, Conceivable, have raised $70 million since 2022. The Washington Post report said that investors see IVF via AI in the same vein as the global AI race.
“Automated systems, which combine robotic hardware and algorithmic software, don’t get tired. They see things the human eye can’t. They can, in theory, do the same work, or at least portions of it, far faster, more precisely and more reliably replicated than human beings can. That means improved results, lower costs and many more patients served,” the report read.
What’s also remarkable about the software is that, beyond a point, its human handlers were unable to understand why it was making certain decisions. It was clear that the system was choosing the best embryo, but the analysis, the various calculations that were taking place simultaneously, were too complex for the human brain to comprehend.
“That’s where it can become a black box,” Badiola told The Post.
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‘Made with a machine’
Overture Life, a New York-based company, is using an AI-trained robot, which has been fed on a diet of “real-lab footage”. Its experiments in producing hamsters and rabbits had worked—and when it came to human beings, the robot continued to triumph.
The Post has interviewed one of the women whose embryo had been selected by the robot. Today, she is the mother of a 2.5-year-old daughter.
“When you see her, you’re like ‘wow, she’s so normal! She’s so smart!” the woman said. “I don’t even remember that my daughter is made with a machine.”
Even in India, IVF companies are picking up on what could revolutionise the industry—using AI to smarten their embryo assessment processes. Nova IVF Fertility, a Hyderabad-based clinic, has announced a collaboration with South Korean AI company Kai Health. The two companies are set to open 120 clinics.
(Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)