The first patient subjected to a brain surgery guided in real time by artificial intelligence

Rhys Hibbert, a 48-year-old Briton from Bedfordshire, was diagnosed with a brain tumor in December 2024, after suffering an epileptic seizure.

He opted for an innovative surgical intervention, becoming the first patient in the world to undergo a brain surgery guided in real-time by artificial intelligence. The procedure, performed at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, was made possible by technology developed at University College London and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research. The AI analyzed video images in real-time, helping the surgical team avoid critical structures and safely remove the tumor.

After the surgery, Hibbert noticed a significant improvement in his vision. The British Minister for Innovation in Health, James Frith, emphasized the importance of safety measures in the use of artificial intelligence in medicine.

This technology could revolutionize complex surgical interventions, providing patients with previously unimaginable care.