UK Patient Undergoes World's First AI-Assisted Brain Surgery to Save Sight

Surgeons in London have successfully performed the world's first brain tumour operation assisted by live artificial intelligence, preventing a patient from losing his eyesight. The landmark procedure took place at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, part of the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Doctors operated on 48-year-old Rhys Hibbert to remove an 11-millimetre growth on his pituitary gland. Operating near the pituitary gland presents severe clinical risks because essential blood vessels and optic nerves are closely packed together. Medical experts noted that even a single millimetre error could result in blindness, stroke, or fatal complications. To perform the operation safely, specialists guided an endoscope through the patient's nose to reach the base of the skull. The underlying AI system examined the live video feed in real time, applying distinct colour codes on screen to mark critical anatomical structures, tracking surgical tools, and pinpointing safe zones for tissue removal. Developed in-house at the UCL Hawkes Institute, the AI model was trained on hundreds of surgical recordings to recognise complex neural features. While the software provided guidance during the procedure, human surgeons retained complete physical control at all times. Following the operation, Hibbert experienced a swift recovery, regaining clear vision and walking independently within a week. Health officials emphasized that without the intervention, he faced complete loss of sight.