Adedamilola Atiba-Sogules, an experienced embryologist with work spanning Africa and North America, is urging the fertility industry to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) not as a replacement for human expertise but as a partner in improving success rates in In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF).
Speaking on the role of technology in reproductive medicine, she said AI’s real strength lies in working alongside human specialists to minimise errors in embryo selection while maintaining the deeply human elements of patient care.
She explained that AI tools are now capable of analysing morphokinetic data and time-lapse imagery to identify embryos with the highest likelihood of leading to successful pregnancies. While this data-driven approach can enhance accuracy and reduce unnecessary transfers, thereby sparing patients from additional financial and emotional strain, she cautioned that technology alone cannot replace the critical judgement, empathy and adaptability of trained embryologists.
For Atiba-Sogules, IVF remains as much an emotional journey as it is a technical procedure. Embryologists provide more than analytical skills; they make real-time decisions, adapt to unforeseen challenges, and offer emotional reassurance to patients facing one of the most sensitive and high-pressure experiences of their lives. She believes AI should be used to streamline repetitive tasks and provide a second opinion, freeing professionals to focus on complex decision-making and compassionate care while also helping to reduce burnout in a demanding profession.
However, she stressed that the benefits of AI depend entirely on how it is implemented. Embryologists must be trained not only to operate AI systems but to question and interpret their findings. Without such oversight, there is a risk of over-reliance on algorithms that may contain biases from incomplete or non-diverse datasets. She warned that if AI models are not designed with inclusivity in mind, they could unintentionally disadvantage certain populations.
Cost is another concern. The most advanced AI tools are often accessible only to well-funded clinics, raising the possibility of deepening inequalities between urban and rural facilities. Drawing on her international experience, Atiba-Sogules argued that success in IVF is not determined solely by expensive technology, but by the thoughtful and ethical application of every available resource.
For her, each embryo represents far more than a biological sample; it symbolises someone’s hope for a family. That reality, she said, places a profound responsibility on practitioners to combine the best of human expertise with the sharpest tools that innovation can provide. The future of IVF, she concluded, should be defined by a balanced partnership between technology and humanity, ensuring that advances in science bring the dream of parenthood closer to all who seek it.
