AI aids in first global real-time brain surgery, successfully removes tumor

A 48-year-old man from Bedfordshire, UK, named Riz Hibbert, has become the first person worldwide to undergo brain surgery assisted by artificial intelligence in real time, according to a report by the BBC. The procedure successfully removed a benign tumor from his pituitary gland, which is located at the base of the skull and is responsible for producing essential hormones. Hibbert, who previously worked as a customer service manager, had been experiencing vision loss and frequent falls due to the tumor pressing on the optic nerve. He expressed his willingness to participate in the experimental surgery, stating that patients must be willing to take part in research for medical progress to occur. The surgery, conducted at University College London Hospitals, involved inserting an endoscope through the nasal cavity to view the surgical area. The AI system, developed by researchers at University College London with funding from the UK National Institute for Health and Care Research and Google, analyzed real-time video feeds from the endoscope to identify the likely locations of critical blood vessels and nerves. This allowed surgeons to navigate safely and remove the tumor as completely as possible while minimizing risks. The AI system was trained using hundreds of videos of previous pituitary tumor removal surgeries, with detailed annotations of vascular and neural structures. Professor Hami Marcus, who participated in the surgery, noted that the AI system had been trained on more surgeries than most surgeons would ever perform in their careers, effectively providing an additional expert eye in the operating room. The AI does not take control of the surgery but instead offers real-time guidance to the surgeons. Marcus also mentioned the team's long-term goal of developing an 'AI version of ChatGPT' for the operating room, allowing surgeons to seek expert advice when needed. Hibbert reported significant improvements in his vision and energy levels following the surgery, stating that he felt he had regained a full 360-degree view of the world. He also mentioned that his previous symptoms had disappeared entirely. UK Health Innovation Minister James Fritsch praised the use of government-funded AI research in the procedure, emphasizing the importance of balancing safety with the opportunities AI presents for medical advancement.