After 18 years of heartbreak and repeated failures with in vitro fertilisation (IVF), a couple has finally conceived—thanks to artificial intelligence (AI). The couple, who chose to remain anonymous, had been diagnosed with azoospermia, a rare condition in which no measurable sperm is found in the male partner’s semen.
Despite undergoing multiple IVF cycles around the world, they had no success—until they approached the Columbia University Fertility Centre (CUFC), where they opted to try an experimental AI-powered technique. According to a CNN report, the breakthrough came with the use of the STAR (Sperm Tracking and Recovery) method, developed by CUFC.
Using the STAR system, fertility specialists were able to detect hidden sperm in the male partner’s semen—a task traditional techniques had repeatedly failed at. These sperm cells were then used to fertilise the woman’s egg via IVF, resulting in a successful pregnancy. The woman has now become the first person in the world to conceive using this pioneering technology.
“It took me two days to believe I was actually pregnant,” the woman said. “Even now, I wake up in the morning and wonder if it’s really true. I don’t fully believe it until I see the scans.”
Developed over five years by Dr Zev Williams, director of CUFC, and his team, the STAR method uses AI to detect sperm cells that are invisible to the human eye, even under a microscope.
Dr Williams explained how the breakthrough happened: “A patient provided a sample, and highly trained technicians examined it for two days without finding a single sperm. Then we tested the same sample with the STAR system—and in just one hour, it found 44 sperm. That’s when we realised this could be a game-changer.”
The STAR system places a semen sample on a specially designed chip, which is scanned using high-powered imaging. In less than an hour, the system captures more than eight million microscopic images. The AI, trained to recognise the unique features of sperm cells, analyses these images and pinpoints their location—something even experienced lab technicians can miss.
The development marks a major leap forward in reproductive medicine, especially for couples affected by severe male infertility. Traditional diagnosis and treatment of azoospermia often leave patients with limited options. By using AI to uncover hidden sperm, the STAR system could offer new hope to thousands of couples previously told they had no chance of biological parenthood.
“This is going to make such a big difference for patients,” said Dr Williams. “It opens doors that were once thought to be closed.”