In IVF labs, AI is raising odds of parenthood

At many IVF centres in India equipped with AI tools , couples can now find a little more certainty in an uncertain journey and a slightly better chance in a process defined by probabilities.

In Short

• AI tools analyse millions of embryonic markers rapidly
• IVF success rates in India range from 30 to 55 percent per cycle
• AI shortens the time for pregnancy, easing emotional and financial burdens

In a softly lit laboratory, a petri dish sits under a microscope – but it’s not just a human eye making the call any more.

Across a growing number of IVF clinics in India, artificial intelligence (AI) tools are now scanning thousands of microscopic details in seconds – flagging the healthiest sperm, ranking embryos, and quietly guiding one of the most emotional decisions a couple can make: which embryo might become their child.

In-vitro fertilisation (IVF) – a procedure where eggs and sperm are combined outside the body – has long been a mix of science, skill, and uncertainty. In India, an estimated 3 to 3.5 lakh IVF cycles are performed annually, yet success is far from guaranteed.

For many couples – India is estimated to have about 2.8 crore couples facing infertility – the process can feel like a marathon of hope, heartbreak, and mounting bills.

Now, AI is promising to tip the odds – if only slightly, but significantly.

DATA MEETS DESIRE

At the forefront are tools like SiD (sperm identification device) and ERICA (embryo ranking intelligent classification assistant), which analyse up to 2.5 million embryonic markers within milliseconds.

Dr Manika Khanna, chairperson and managing director of Gaudium IVF, explains that these systems are designed to reduce guesswork. By drawing on vast global datasets and refining them with Indian clinical inputs, they aim to identify embryos with the highest chances of implantation.

The goal, she says, is not just higher success rates – but fewer failed attempts. That distinction matters deeply for patients navigating a physically and emotionally taxing journey.

IVF success rates in India typically range between 30 and 55 percent per cycle, depending heavily on age. Younger women may see success rates of up to 65 percent, while for those over 40, the chances can drop to as low as 5–10 percent.

Often, couples require multiple cycles to achieve pregnancy, pushing cumulative success rates to 60–80 percent over three attempts at many centres.

But each cycle comes at a cost – financially and emotionally.

A government report estimates that a single IVF cycle costs about Rs 2.3 lakh in private clinics and around Rs 1.1 lakh in limited public facilities. For many families, this means dipping into savings, taking loans, or delaying treatment altogether.

This is where AI’s promise of shortening “time to pregnancy” becomes critical.

“We have been using AI tools for some time now.. the main benefit is time to pregnancy is shortened and that makes a big difference to couples trying to have a baby,” Dr. Nandita Palshetkar, Mumbai-based infertility specialist who is associated with Lilavati Hospital, told India Today.

“In my estimate, AI improves the success rate by up to 10 percent which is big, but there is a need for large datasets to establish this.”

Even a modest 5–7 percent improvement in first-cycle success rates, as early estimates suggest, can translate into fewer cycles – and fewer emotional setbacks.

AI-POWERED LABS

Traditionally, embryologists rely on visual assessment – grading embryos based on appearance and development stages. While highly skilled, this process can carry an element of subjectivity.

AI changes that.

Kshitiz Murdia, CEO of Indira IVF describes how AI-enabled platforms can analyse vast datasets of embryo images and developmental patterns. The result is a more standardised, data-backed evaluation process that complements human expertise.

Beyond embryo selection, AI is also being used to analyse sperm quality, predict treatment outcomes, and even design personalised treatment plans.

By factoring in variables such as age, hormone levels, and ovarian reserve, these systems can help clinicians tailor protocols to individual patients.

The shift, Murdia notes, is toward greater precision at every critical decision point.

HUMAN STORIES, MACHINE SUPPORT

For couples, these technological advances translate into something more tangible: clarity.

Many IVF centres are now offering digital tools like success calculators that estimate the likelihood of pregnancy based on personal medical data.

Patient portals allow real-time access to reports, appointments, and updates – reducing the anxiety of waiting and the opacity that often surrounds medical procedures.

Behind these innovations is a broader push to make fertility care not just more effective, but more transparent and patient-friendly.

Yet, for all its promise, AI is not a magic bullet.

Experts caution that IVF success depends on a complex interplay of biological and clinical factors. While AI can enhance precision, it cannot eliminate uncertainty.

Dr Khanna acknowledges that current improvements are based on evolving datasets rather than long-term evidence. “More extensive data over time will be required to establish precise and universally validated percentages,” she notes.

BALANCING HOPE AND HYPE

The rise of AI in IVF also raises important questions about accessibility and equity.

While leading private clinics in metros are rapidly adopting these technologies, their availability in public healthcare settings remains limited.

For many couples already struggling with the high cost of treatment, the added expense of advanced tools could widen the gap between those who can afford cutting-edge care and those who cannot.

There is also the emotional dimension.

IVF is not just a medical procedure – it is an intensely personal journey, often marked by despair, hope, and resilience. The introduction of algorithms into this space can feel both reassuring and unsettling.

For some, the idea that a machine is helping choose their future child may seem impersonal. For others, it offers comfort – a sense that every possible measure is being taken to maximise their chances.

As AI continues to evolve, its role in IVF is likely to expand further – potentially incorporating genetic insights, real-time monitoring, and even predictive modelling of long-term outcomes.

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