Doctors have used AI to help women get pregnant through IVF by matching the strongest sperm with the best quality eggs.

This pioneering treatment can maximize the chances of success, saving couples years of anguish and a heavy financial burden.

The first woman in the UK to conceive using AI throughout the fertilization process described the new technology as a “miracle”.

Lead consultant Ali Al Chami, of Avenues Fertility Clinic, north London, who carried out the procedure, said: “This is a game-changer for fertility care.”

One in six couples experience infertility and more than 50,000 patients undergo IVF in the UK each year, with the number increasing annually.

Only one in three women become pregnant after the first cycle, which costs an average of more than £5,000.

Traditionally, doctors have relied on human assessments to make decisions about sperm or egg health.

But in some clinics, artificial intelligence systems, trained on vast data sets of ultrasound images, patient health metrics and time-lapse embryo monitoring, are being used to select high-quality sperm and eggs, and then embryos, for both fertilization and implantation.

Pioneering treatment can maximize chances of success (file image)

Traditionally, doctors have relied on human assessments to make decisions about sperm or egg health (file image)

Elena, 36, from south London, told the Sunday Express she has become the first woman in the UK to conceive using AI throughout the process.

She is now 23 weeks pregnant and credits advanced technology for changing her life.

Elena discovered she was pregnant in August after AI selected which of her husband’s sperm to use.

Then, the fertilized embryos with the best chance of giving her a baby, also chosen using AI, were transplanted into her uterus.

The mother-to-be said: ‘What has happened is phenomenal. The technology is incredible. “It’s like a miracle.”

Dr Jyoti Taneja, medical director at Avenues Fertility Clinic, said: “Traditionally we have selected sperm by analyzing the shape and other characteristics under the microscope.

“But AI can assess health through movement patterns.

‘You can perform these assessments more accurately, in real time and at greater speed.

‘We also use AI to perform a meticulous evaluation of the eggs. This may include the maturity, shape and size of the egg.

‘This approach improves IVF outcomes by predicting the probability of conception and minimizing unnecessary interventions.

“This technology provides hope to many couples and individuals facing fertility challenges.”

Her clinic also uses AI to assess the health of each fertilized egg.

One in six couples experience infertility and more than 50,000 patients undergo IVF each year in the UK, with the number increasing annually (file image)

Artificial intelligence systems, trained on vast data sets of ultrasound images, patient health metrics and time-lapse embryo monitoring, are being used in some clinics to select high-quality sperm and eggs, and then embryos, both for fertilization and implantation (archive image)

Dr Taneja, a consultant who has worked as a specialist in reproductive medicine at major London hospitals including Barts, Guys and St Thomas’, said: “This is a dynamic and exciting era for fertility care.

‘AI technology is rapidly paving the way for a revolution in IVF treatment. In five years, I believe all clinics will embrace this integration of AI innovation.

“For patients it means less emotional, physical and financial risk because it means a greater chance of success.”

A study last week showed that scientists can use AI to help decide when to give a hormone injection to women before preparing eggs for collection.

Scientists have been exploring and demonstrating the use of AI in IVF for at least five years.

Four years ago, experts writing in the Journal Reproduction and Fertility concluded: “Incorporating AI technology into the IVF clinic may be the next frontier on the path to personalized reproductive medicine and better fertility outcomes.”