TLDR: Tim Akano, CEO of New Horizons, predicts that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will transform In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and childbirth, leading to more consistent results, reduced errors, and potentially flawless deliveries. He cited the 2025 conception of the world’s first baby via fully automated AI IVF in Guadalajara as a key example of this advancement.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to fundamentally change the landscape of In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and childbirth, according to Tim Akano, the Chief Executive Officer of New Horizons. Speaking at the 21st Titans of Tech Conference, Expo and Awards in Lagos on July 26, 2025, Akano asserted that AI offers a future with more consistent results and significantly fewer errors compared to traditional human practices in reproductive medicine.
Akano highlighted a groundbreaking development from 2025: the conception of the world’s first baby through a fully automated AI IVF system in Guadalajara. He emphasized that an AI system independently performed all 23 steps of the Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) procedure with zero human intervention, demonstrating remarkable accuracy and leading to the healthiest form of fertilization. This achievement, he noted, signals the dawn of a new era in reproductive technology.
Beyond IVF, Akano predicted the imminent arrival of artificial wombs, which he believes will enable flawless childbirth. He stressed that AI’s integration into human reproduction opens up endless possibilities, prompting critical discussions about the convergence of AI with human biology and its evolving role in fertility treatments.
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Furthermore, Akano addressed the broader societal implications of AI, warning that a failure to adapt to these technological advancements could lead to a new wave of ‘digital colonization’. He urged Nigerian youths to proactively acquire skills in Artificial Intelligence to remain competitive in the rapidly evolving global job market. While acknowledging that AI will inevitably lead to the eradication of many existing jobs, he also emphasized that it will simultaneously create numerous new opportunities for those equipped with the right capabilities. Akano expressed concern that many regions, particularly in Africa, remain primarily focused on consumption rather than creation in the tech space, a trend he cautioned against. He encouraged young Africans to shift from consumption to creation and seize global opportunities through training and upskilling, noting that remote job earnings are projected to hit $127 billion by 2030.
