A British man has become the first patient in the world to undergo brain surgery with live artificial intelligence assistance, with surgeons successfully removing his tumour.
Rhys Hibbert, a 48-year-old father of two from Bedfordshire, was at risk of losing his sight because the tumour was pressing against the nerves responsible for vision.
Doctors at University College London Hospital said the AI system provided real-time guidance during the operation, helping the surgical team identify important blood vessels and nerves that could not be seen directly.
Hibbert said the technology provided an additional layer of safety during a procedure where there are no clear visual markers to guide surgeons.
Tumour affected his vision
Hibbert had previously been fit and active, regularly walking about two miles during his lunch break. That changed when he suddenly lost consciousness and suffered a seizure while out walking.
A subsequent scan discovered an 11mm non-cancerous tumour on his pituitary gland, a small organ at the base of the brain that produces hormones involved in functions including growth, metabolism and blood pressure regulation.
The tumour was located close to the carotid arteries and optic nerves. As it grew, it began affecting Hibbert’s peripheral vision.
He also experienced severe tiredness, dizziness and problems with balance.
Despite the challenges, Hibbert said he was determined to maintain his independence and did not want his condition to prevent him from caring for his family.
When doctors offered him the opportunity to take part in the pioneering procedure, he agreed.
AI provides a second set of eyes
The operation was carried out through the nose using an endoscope, a thin camera that allows surgeons to reach the base of the skull without making a large opening in the head.
Removing the tumour can be difficult because critical blood vessels and nerves may be hidden behind bone and protective tissue. The anatomy also differs from one patient to another.
Researchers developed an AI system capable of analysing the operation’s video feed in real time. It tracks surgical instruments and identifies where important anatomical structures, including blood vessels and nerves, are likely to be located.
The technology was trained using hundreds of recordings from previous pituitary tumour operations. Researchers manually identified key structures in the footage, allowing the system to learn how to recognise them.
Professor Hani Marcus, one of the neurosurgeons involved, said the system had been trained using more operations than many surgeons would encounter during their entire careers.
The team stresses that the AI does not make decisions independently. Surgeons remain responsible for the operation and can accept or disregard the system’s recommendations.
Researchers hope the technology could eventually become a kind of “second expert” for surgeons, providing advice during complex procedures whenever required.
Patient reports major improvement
Hibbert says his recovery has been positive. After waking from the operation, he immediately noticed a significant improvement in his vision.
Eight weeks later, he said his eyesight continued to improve and that the severe fatigue and other symptoms he had experienced before the surgery had disappeared.
He described the operation as having given him his life back.
The project received funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research and Google. Following the first successful use of the technology in a real operation, researchers are now preparing for a larger clinical trial.
Health innovation minister James Frith welcomed the development, while stressing that AI used in healthcare must be subject to strong safeguards.
The breakthrough could mark an important step in the use of real-time artificial intelligence during surgery, although further research will be needed before the technology can be used more widely.
About the author
Togo : l’Assemblée valide la ratification de l’Accord BBNJ
L’Assemblée nationale togolaise a adopté définitivement, mardi 25 août 2026 à Lomé, le texte autorisant la ratification de l’Accord BBNJ, consacré à la conservation et à l’utilisation durable de la biodiversité marine dans les espaces situés au-delà des juridictions nationales. Adopté dans le cadre de la Convention des Nations unies sur le droit de la mer, le traité vise à mieux protéger la biodiversité en haute mer. Il prévoit notamment des mesures contre la pollution et la surexploitation des ressources marines, ainsi qu’un mécanisme pour assurer un partage plus équitable des bénéfices liés aux ressources génétiques marines. Lomé veut peser dans les discussions internationales Pour Edem Kokou Tengué, ministre délégué chargé de l’Économie maritime, cette démarche constitue une avancée importante pour la participation du Togo à la gouvernance internationale des océans. Le gouvernement estime que l’adhésion au traité permettra au […]
AI assists first brain surgery as tumour is removed
A British man has become the first patient in the world to undergo brain surgery with live artificial intelligence assistance, with surgeons successfully removing his tumour. Rhys Hibbert, a 48-year-old father of two from Bedfordshire, was at risk of losing his sight because the tumour was pressing against the nerves responsible for vision. Doctors at University College London Hospital said the AI system provided real-time guidance during the operation, helping the surgical team identify important blood vessels and nerves that could not be seen directly. Hibbert said the technology provided an additional layer of safety during a procedure where there are no clear visual markers to guide surgeons. Tumour affected his vision Hibbert had previously been fit and active, regularly walking about two miles during his lunch break. That changed when he suddenly lost consciousness and suffered a seizure while […]
Meta agrees to $18bn deal over child safety claims
Meta has agreed to pay up to $18 billion to settle claims brought by 29 US states alleging that Facebook and Instagram failed to adequately protect children. The agreement, reached on Wednesday, brought an unexpectedly early end to a closely watched legal case. The trial had been expected to continue for weeks, but proceedings lasted only five days and ended before Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg was called to testify. The case formally focused on children's online privacy and the company's handling of data belonging to users under 13. It was brought under the US Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), a law introduced nearly three decades ago, before today's major social media platforms existed. However, the case also placed Meta's broader approach to child safety under intense scrutiny. Evidence raises questions over safety measures During the proceedings, former Instagram […]
La Côte d’Ivoire intensifie la lutte contre l’orpaillage
Les forces de sécurité ivoiriennes renforcent leur lutte contre l’orpaillage clandestin. Depuis le 22 août 2026, plusieurs opérations sont menées dans différentes localités du pays, avec quatre sites particulièrement ciblés. À Zaranou, la Brigade spéciale de surveillance et d’intervention (BSSI) a arrêté cinq personnes soupçonnées de pratiquer l’exploitation illégale de l’or. Il s’agit de trois ressortissants togolais et de deux Burkinabè. Les cinq suspects ont été présentés à la justice. Les forces engagées dans ces opérations ont également saisi et détruit d’importantes quantités de matériel utilisé sur les sites clandestins. Le bilan comprend notamment des motopompes, concasseurs, équipements de lavage, tapis de lavage, raccords, abris de fortune, motos et bouteilles de gaz. Ces interventions s’inscrivent dans le cadre des efforts des autorités ivoiriennes pour réduire l’exploitation illégale des ressources minières et limiter ses effets sur l’environnement. Le gouvernement entend également […]
Le Togo participe au forum Russie-Afrique à Novossibirsk
La troisième édition du Forum international de coopération Russie-Afrique s’est ouverte mercredi à Novossibirsk, dans l’ouest de la Sibérie. Une vingtaine de pays africains prennent part à cette rencontre consacrée au renforcement des échanges entre la Russie et le continent africain. Le Togo participe aux travaux avec une délégation conduite par le ministre de l’Éducation nationale, Mama Omorou. La Guinée-Bissau, la Sierra Leone, la Namibie, le Sénégal, le Ghana et le Niger figurent notamment parmi les pays représentés. Organisé par le Centre national russe de diplomatie publique, le forum entend élargir la coopération Russie-Afrique au-delà des relations diplomatiques traditionnelles, en mettant l’accent sur les échanges dans les domaines de l’éducation, de la recherche, de la culture et de l’économie. L’éducation au cœur des échanges La première journée a été consacrée en grande partie aux questions éducatives. Une table ronde a […]
Togo : 106 enseignants formés à la comptabilité numérique
Le Togo poursuit ses efforts pour renforcer les compétences des enseignants de l’enseignement technique. Depuis le 25 août 2026, 106 enseignants spécialisés en comptabilité participent à Lomé à une session de formation consacrée au logiciel Sage Compta 100 et à la fiscalité. L’initiative est portée par l’Institut national de formation et de perfectionnement professionnels (INFPP), avec l’appui du Fonds national d’apprentissage, de formation et de perfectionnement professionnel (FNAFPP). La formation vise à actualiser les connaissances des enseignants et à développer des supports pédagogiques adaptés aux élèves de Terminale G2. L’objectif est notamment de rapprocher davantage les enseignements dispensés dans les établissements techniques des méthodes utilisées dans les entreprises. Les participants sont formés à plusieurs fonctionnalités de Sage 100, notamment le paramétrage du logiciel, la création d’un plan comptable, l’enregistrement des opérations et la production des états financiers. Le volet consacré […]
Related
WHO reassures Tenerife over virus cruise ship
The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has sought to reassure residents of Tenerife ahead of the arrival of the cruise ship MV Hondius, where several hantavirus cases have been detected. In a message addressed directly to people living in Tenerife, Tedros insisted that the current situation should not be compared to the COVID-19 pandemic. He stressed that the public health risk remains low and confirmed that no passengers currently aboard the vessel are showing symptoms of the virus. The MV Hondius is expected to arrive at the port of Granadilla, in the Canary Islands, early Sunday morning. The ship’s arrival has raised concerns among local residents following reports of infections and deaths linked to the outbreak. So far, six confirmed hantavirus cases have been identified among passengers aboard the Dutch cruise vessel. One of the infected […]
IVF mix-up fears shake families
Beth and Laura, a British couple, have raised serious concerns after discovering that their two children—conceived through IVF in northern Cyprus—may not be biologically related to each other or to the sperm donor they had carefully selected. The couple chose a donor known as “Finn” from a Danish sperm bank, emphasizing to the clinic that they wanted both children to share the same biological father. Their first child, Kate, was born without raising suspicion. However, after the birth of their second child, James, noticeable physical differences led the parents to question whether the correct donor had been used. Years later, DNA tests confirmed their fears. The results suggested that neither child was related to the selected donor and, more shockingly, that the two children were not biologically related to each other. The discovery left the family distressed and searching for […]
Intermittent Fasting Offers Limited Weight Loss Gains
A large review suggests that intermittent fasting may not help people who are overweight or obese lose significant weight. The practice, which involves fasting on some days and eating normally on others, appears to make little difference to weight loss or overall quality of life. Intermittent fasting includes approaches like the 5:2 diet or eating only within a daily time window of about eight hours. Researchers analyzed 22 studies covering nearly 2,000 adults over periods up to 12 months to compare intermittent fasting with standard dietary advice or no guidance. The findings showed that intermittent fasting produced almost no advantage over traditional diets focused on reducing calories and eating healthier. Its effects were also similar to doing nothing at all, although its impact on quality of life remains uncertain. Lead author Luis Garegnani from Universidad Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires […]
Statins far safer than believed, major study shows
Cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins, taken by millions of people worldwide, are far safer than commonly believed, according to a major scientific review published in The Lancet. Researchers say patient information leaflets should be updated to reflect the evidence and prevent people from being unnecessarily deterred from using the life-saving medication. The review, funded by the British Heart Foundation and led by researchers from the University of Oxford, analysed data from clinical trials involving more than 120,000 participants. The trials compared people taking statins with those given a placebo. The findings show that statins do not cause most of the side effects frequently listed in medicine leaflets, including memory loss, depression, sleep problems, weight gain and impotence. Reports of these symptoms were almost identical among patients taking placebo pills, suggesting they were not caused by statins. Statins are proven to […]
Period blood test shows promise for cervical screening
Researchers say that menstrual blood could become a practical tool for cervical cancer screening, offering a simpler and less invasive alternative to current testing methods. At present, cervical screening in the UK requires a healthcare professional to collect cells directly from the cervix. However, about one in three people invited for screening do not attend. The proposed new approach would allow samples to be collected at home using menstrual blood absorbed on a specially designed strip placed in a sanitary pad. Charities focused on cervical cancer describe the idea as promising, noting that more comfortable testing options could help improve participation, although they stress that the research is still in its early stages. In some parts of England, the NHS already sends self-sampling kits to individuals who have missed multiple screening appointments. These kits, which use vaginal swabs, are expected […]
What happens after stopping weight-loss injections
Weight-loss injections have transformed the lives of many people who struggled for years to shed excess weight. By suppressing appetite and reducing constant hunger signals, these drugs have helped users lose significant weight when traditional dieting failed. However, a growing question remains: what happens when the injections stop? GLP-1 medications, such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, work by mimicking a hormone that regulates hunger. For many users, this means the persistent urge to eat fades, allowing better control over food choices. The results can be dramatic, bringing not only physical changes but also improved confidence and wellbeing. Yet these medications are relatively new, and their long-term effects are still being studied. With around 1.5 million people in the UK paying privately for the injections, long-term use also comes with a heavy financial cost. As a result, many users eventually consider stopping, […]
Be the first to leave a comment