April 2026 In a development that highlights Saudi Arabia’s accelerating investment in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Bnoon Network of Fertility & Women’s Health Centers, part of Global Fertility, has announced the first birth in the Kingdom following the use of an AI-enabled sperm selection application during IVF treatment a milestone that specialists describe as a notable step forward for Saudi Arabia’s assisted reproductive technology sector. The announcement comes as the Kingdom designates 2026 the Year of Artificial Intelligence.
The birth follows the introduction of an AI-driven solution, Vitruvian MD, within the IVF laboratories of Bnoon. The system used by embryologists intends to improve decision-making and reduce variability through applying algorithmic analysis to assess sperm motility, morphology, and DNA fragmentation factors associated with fertilization potential and embryo development.
The technology improves precision in laboratory sperm selection, particularly in cases involving severe male-factor infertility, including azoospermia or low sperm count, poor motility, high DNA fragmentation, or surgically retrieved sperm samples.
Preliminary clinical data collected over twelve months and involving more than 50 couples indicated improved fertilization rates in selected cases of poor sperm quality, compared with conventional laboratory selection. The program has since led to the birth of the first child in the Kingdom conceived using the husband’s sperm selected through the AI-based system. For the couple, it was their first child. The father had been diagnosed with high DNA fragmentation, and the use of AI-based sperm selection resulted in a successful pregnancy and birth.
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Majd Abu Zant, Chief Executive of Global Fertility and Chairman of Bnoon, described the integration of artificial intelligence into IVF laboratories as part of a broader shift toward data-driven reproductive medicine. He said, “The integration of AI into fertility treatment helps reduce the number of repeated failed cycles, improving efficiency and potentially lowering both the time and cost associated with assisted reproductive procedures.”
“Investment in artificial intelligence technologies within IVF laboratories is no longer merely an option, but a necessity to help improve outcomes and raise quality standards in line with our international peers. At Bnoon, our focus is on transforming fertility care across the Kingdom by leveraging the latest clinical advances as part of our daily routines. AI technology has progressed rapidly over the past few years, and its pace of development is expected to accelerate further as research and clinical studies expand, contributing to standardization of care, enhanced efficiency and most importantly better results for our patients,” Abu Zant said.
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Dr. Abdulaziz Alshahrani, Group Medical Director and Obstetrics, Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology, Infertility (IVF) & Minimally Invasive Surgery Consultant at Bnoon, said traditional sperm selection during ICSI is largely based on visual assessment of motility and morphology.
“The new AI-based system introduces an additional analytical layer focused on genetic integrity and DNA fragmentation, without compromising sperm viability, thereby enhancing selection precision particularly in complex cases. The launch of this system at Bnoon forms part of our broader strategy to expand the use of AI technologies across our laboratories in the Kingdom, in alignment with Vision 2030’s objectives to support medical innovation. The technology represents a promising development in assisted reproductive medicine, with broader and longer-term clinical studies currently underway to assess its sustained impact,” Dr. Alshahrani stated.
