Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising assisted reproduction, offering unprecedented precision and personalisation for fertility specialists. However, Professor Ying Cheong, a leading expert in reproductive medicine, cautions against the unchecked adoption of AI without addressing ethical concerns. Speaking at the 2025 Congress of the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction (ASPIRE) in Singapore, she emphasised the need for human connection, trust, and ethical responsibility in fertility clinics.
AI-driven tools are enhancing fertility treatments by optimising ovarian stimulation, improving embryo selection, and streamlining clinic workflows. Innovations such as robotics-assisted micromanipulation and AI-enhanced incubators are advancing embryo assessment, whilst wearable biosensors and intrauterine devices offer real-time uterine monitoring.
Despite these advancements, Professor Cheong highlighted several concerns, including trust in clinical tools, data privacy, and ethical parameters. She stressed the importance of clinical validation across diverse populations and warned against bias in AI decision-making. “The technology should complement, not replace, clinical expertise, ensuring a human-in-the-loop approach,” she stated.
Professor Cheong also advocated for a social data ecosystem to enable responsible data sharing, suggesting models like a Social Data Foundation where patients, providers, and researchers collaborate equally. She urged for open access AI platforms and public-private partnerships to make advanced reproductive technology accessible to all.
With around 2,000 fertility experts attending the ASPIRE Congress, the discussion on AI’s role in reproductive medicine continues to be a focal point, emphasising the balance between technological innovation and ethical practice.
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