Mumbai. At the ETHealthworld Conclave for Fertility, a panel discussion on “Egg Meets Algorithm: The Next Frontier in Reproductive Health”, brought together embryologists, clinicians and genomics specialists to explore how artificial intelligence (AI), is reshing reproductive health care. Conversations highlighted a crucial shift from trial-and error IVF to a data-driven, personalized and predictive proach.

Dr Nikita lad Patel, ollo Fertility’s Consultant IVF specialist, started the conversation by explaining how AI has begun to detect patterns in embryos and gametes that were previously invisible to humans. By using advanced , clinicians are increasingly able refine embryo selection to improve outcomes and reduce the need for multiple IVF cycles. But she also noted that AI has “two sides”: while it is promising in terms of improving pregnancy chances, and clinical precision, the real-world plications are still evolving.

Dr Kshitiz murdia, co-founder and CEO of Indira iVF, provided a practical perspective. She noted that, while AI hasn’t yet improved pregnancy rates dramatically, it is having the most immediate impact on improving consistency and reducing variation in clinical practice in India. AI-powered clinical systems can help standardise the decision-making process across clinics, and among practitioners. He stressed that IVF generates a vast amount of data, from the demogrhics of patients and their hormonal profiles, to the embryo development and transfer methods. The next step in fertility care could be achieved by integrating this data and using AI-driven analysis. He explained that it’s not only about choosing the best embryos or marginal gains in the pregnancy rate. The real value is in providing consistent, high quality care across geogrhic regions and clinicians. Dr Murdia warned against relying too heavily on algorithms. Current AI tools are sometimes unable to correctly classify embryos in some cases, he said, particularly when complex cases are involved. This highlights the importance of a “human in the loop” proach where clinicians and embryologists remain at the center of decision-making. AI should be used as a tool to assist rather than replace them.

Expanding on the discussion of high-risk pregnancies Dr Sonal Kumta Senior Consultant Obstetrician, Fortis Hospital Mulund, stressed the importance of data-driven insight in managing patients who have a bad obstetric record, such as recurrent miscarriages or unexplained loss. She said that such cases are emotionally and clinically difficult due to the lack clear diagnostic answers. She believes AI can identify patterns, whether hormonal or genetic. This will allow for more accurate risk assessment and treatment plans. Data-backed insights, from decisions about interventions such as cervical cerclage to optimising the monitoring of foetals, can help provide greater clarity and assurance in managing these high stakes pregnancies. But she insisted that clinical knowledge is essential and AI can be used to support evidence-based medicine.

Another key area of focus was the role of AI in reproduction genetics. Shaiket Deb, Director of Rare Diseases and Reproductive Health at Strand Life Sciences, emphasized that many existing genetic classifications rely on Western datasets and are not plicable to Indians. Researchers are beginning to identify genetic variations that are specific to a population and their clinical significance. AI also accelerates the interpretation of genetic information, cutting turnaround times from weeks to a few short days. It helps clinicians to make better decisions faster by prioritising and filtering genetic data. Deb warned against testing without regard to the patient’s needs, pointing out that AI can be used to tailor testing strategies. The panel agreed that AI was not meant to replace human expertise, but rather as a powerful tool. Its true potential is to enhance clinical judgment, improve standardisation, and unlock insights from complex datasets, which were previously underutilised.

As the fertility care industry becomes more data-intensive, it is the intersection of biology with technology that will redefine reproductive medicine. The journey to integrate AI is in its beginning stages. However, it promises a future that is more accurate and personalized, as well as more accessible and equitable for diverse patient populations.

Published On March 31, 2026 at 06 :12 PM IST
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