In a groundbreaking moment for reproductive medicine, doctors at the Columbia University Fertility Center have helped a couple achieve pregnancy after nearly two decades of trying—thanks to artificial intelligence (AI). This marks the first-ever pregnancy achieved using an AI-powered system developed to assist men with a specific type of infertility.
Azoospermia: When Sperm Is Absent
One major cause of male infertility is azoospermia, a condition where a man’s semen contains no detectable sperm. It affects roughly 1 in 100 men and is responsible for up to 15% of male infertility cases.
There are two types:
Obstructive azoospermia: Blockages prevent sperm from reaching the semen.
Non-obstructive azoospermia: The body doesn’t produce sperm at all or not in sufficient quantity.
Factors like genetic disorders, radiation or chemotherapy, drug use, environmental exposure, and conditions like varicoceles (enlarged veins in the scrotum) can contribute to the issue.(1)
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Meet STAR: A New Era in Fertility Technology
Enter STAR (Sperm Tracker and Recovery), an innovative system that uses AI to detect rare sperm cells in semen samples where traditional analysis shows none. Developed by Dr. Zev Williams and his team at Columbia University, STAR offers new hope for men previously thought to be completely infertile.
To test the system, before we discarded samples where embryologists could not find any sperm, we decided to run those samples through the system. The embryologists really worked hard to find sperm since they didn’t want to be outshone by a machine. In one of the samples they analyzed for two days and found no sperm, STAR found 44 in an hour.Dr. Zev Williams, Director, Columbia University Fertility Center
How STAR Works
The STAR system combines several cutting-edge technologies:
A microfluidic chip that helps separate semen components
A high-speed scanner capable of processing millions of images per hour
An AI algorithm trained to spot elusive sperm cells too small or rare for the human eye to detect
Once located, those sperm cells can be frozen or used immediately for IVF (In Vitro Fertilization).
A Dream Realized: Rosie’s Journey to Pregnancy
One couple, Rosie and her husband, became the first to conceive using STAR in March 2025. After 19 years of trying and enduring 15 unsuccessful IVF attempts, their journey finally took a hopeful turn. The couple had tried everything: surgery, overseas consultations, and even risky chemical methods to retrieve sperm. Nothing worked. But their unwavering faith and persistence led them to Dr. Williams and his groundbreaking program.
Remarkably, no new tests or extra procedures were required to use STAR. The couple went through a regular IVF cycle. Within just two hours of collecting her husband’s sample, the system found usable sperm, and Rosie’s eggs were fertilized. A few days later, the embryo was transferred. Now four months pregnant, Rosie is receiving standard prenatal care, and her pregnancy is progressing well.(2)
After the transfer, it took me two days to believe I was actually pregnant. I still wake up in the morning and can’t believe if this is true or not. And I still don’t believe [I’m pregnant] until I see the scans.Rosie, patient benefitted from STAR AI system
A New Chapter in Reproductive Medicine
The success of STAR signifies a turning point in fertility care. By incorporating AI, doctors can now identify and use sperm cells once deemed undetectable. This could reduce the number of failed IVF cycles and improve chances of conception. It also means:
Less emotional and financial strain for couples
Greater efficiency for fertility specialists
Potentially more accessible treatments for people around the world
Currently, STAR is being used in select cases at Columbia, with researchers hopeful about broader clinical adoption in the near future.
Though still in its early stages, STAR shows how AI is transforming medicine—not just by making diagnoses, but by making parenthood possible for those who had lost hope.
References:
“AI helps woman get pregnant: Couple's 19-year wait ends with innovative sperm detection, Columbia University shares breakthrough”, The Times of India, Last modified on June 11, 2025. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/parenting/pregnancy/ai-helps-woman-get-pregnant-columbia-university-shares-breakthrough/articleshow/121765593.cms
Alice Park, “Doctors Report the First Pregnancy Using a New AI Procedure”, Time, Last modified on June 11, 2025. https://time.com/7291154/doctors-report-first-pregnancy-new-ai-procedure/
(Rehash/Dr. Hansini Bhaskaran/MSM/SE)