First real-time AI use in brain surgery protects patient's sight
New CapabilitiesUCL-developed system analyzed live surgical video to guide a pituitary tumour removal, protecting the patient's vision
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Overview
Updated 2 hours agoRhys Hibbert, 48, went into surgery with an 11mm tumour pressing on the nerves that control his vision. He came out with what he calls 360-degree panoramic sight.
The difference: an AI system that watched the live surgical video feed and marked the blood vessels and nerves the surgeon needed to avoid. The May operation at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London was the first time AI guided a neurosurgeon in real time during live surgery.
The system, developed at University College London, analyzed the camera feed from an endoscope inserted through the nose. It tracked surgical instruments and marked risky areas near the optic nerves and carotid arteries. A larger clinical trial is now planned.
Why it matters
If this AI proves out in larger trials, delicate brain surgery could get safer for thousands of patients a year.
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People Involved
Organizations Involved
Developed the real-time AI system used in the first live AI-assisted brain surgery.
The NHS trust where the first live AI-assisted brain surgery was performed.
UK government body that co-funded the clinical trial of the AI-assisted surgery system.
Co-funded the clinical trial of the AI-assisted surgery system.
Timeline
May 2026 September 2026
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Human Progress reports on the milestone
Latest MediaHuman Progress publishes its report on the first real-time AI use in brain surgery.
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Global media report the milestone
MediaGuardian, Independent, Euronews and other outlets cover the world-first procedure.
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UCL and UCLH announce the surgery
AnnouncementDetails of the first live AI-assisted surgery revealed after the patient recovered.
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First live AI-assisted brain surgery performed
MedicalRhys Hibbert's 11mm pituitary tumour removed with real-time AI guidance at NHNN.
Historical Context
3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.
da Vinci Surgical System (2000)
The FDA approved the da Vinci system, the first robotic-assisted surgical platform. It took years of clinical trials, surgeon training, and cost negotiations before robotic surgery became widespread.
Robotic surgery was initially limited to a few procedures at major hospitals.
da Vinci is now used in millions of procedures annually worldwide.
The adoption curve for AI-assisted surgery may follow a similar path, starting with a single procedure and expanding as evidence accumulates.
IBM Watson in medicine (2011)
IBM promoted Watson as a breakthrough in AI-assisted medicine, particularly for oncology treatment recommendations. It was deployed at several hospitals with high expectations.
Watson's recommendations were often inconsistent with clinical practice and it struggled to integrate into hospital workflows.
IBM sold Watson Health in 2022, a cautionary tale about AI hype in medicine.
The UCL team emphasizes that the AI is an assistant, not a replacement, and that surgeons retain full control. Clinical validation will determine whether this AI avoids Watson's fate.
Image-guided neurosurgery (1990s)
Neurosurgeons began using frameless stereotactic navigation systems that tracked surgical instruments against pre-operative MRI and CT scans. This replaced reliance on anatomical landmarks and X-rays during surgery.
Brain surgery became more precise, with better tumour resection rates and fewer complications.
Image-guided navigation is now standard in neurosurgery worldwide.
The current AI system builds on image-guided navigation but adds live analysis of the surgical video feed, rather than relying on pre-operative scans.
