Rhys Hibbert, a 48-year-old father of two from Bedfordshire, became the first patient in the world to undergo brain tumor surgery with artificial intelligence supporting surgeons in real time.
The operation was performed at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, part of University College London Hospitals, as part of a clinical trial involving technology developed at University College London. The procedure successfully removed his pituitary tumor and protected his vision.
Unlike systems that analyze scans before an operation, the technology used in Hibbert’s surgery analyzed the live video feed from the operation itself. It helped the surgical team identify critical structures around the tumor, including blood vessels and nerves responsible for vision.
A tumor close to vital structures
Hibbert’s condition was discovered in December 2024 after he collapsed during a walk and experienced a seizure. Doctors subsequently identified an approximately 11-millimeter tumor in his pituitary gland.
The tumor was located close to major blood vessels and the nerves responsible for vision. As it progressed, Hibbert developed visual problems and began repeatedly tripping because of reduced peripheral vision. Without surgery, doctors said the tumor could ultimately have led to blindness.
The pituitary gland sits at the base of the brain in an anatomically complex area where small differences in positioning can have serious consequences. According to UCL, the gland, blood vessels and nerves controlling vision are tightly packed together, meaning that an error of just a millimeter can potentially result in blindness, stroke or death.
How the AI supported surgeons
During the operation, the AI system processed the live endoscopic video and highlighted critical anatomy through color-coded segmentation.
The technology was trained using hundreds of previously recorded pituitary surgery videos in which important anatomical structures had been identified. This allowed the system to learn to recognize structures such as blood vessels, nerves, surgical instruments and tissue interactions.
The AI did not perform the operation or make autonomous surgical decisions. The surgeons remained responsible for the procedure, while the system acted as an additional source of visual information to help identify areas that should be approached with caution.
Professor Hani Marcus, the neurosurgeon who performed the operation, said the technology could function like an additional set of expert eyes during highly complex procedures.
Vision improved after surgery
Hibbert reported a dramatic improvement in his vision after the operation.
He said that when he woke up, he could see the room clearly. Within a week, he was walking independently without glasses or walking sticks and described having a much wider field of vision than he had experienced for more than a year.
The operation was carried out in May 2026, but details were announced publicly only after the patient had recovered.
From research tool to clinical use
The AI system had previously been evaluated as a research and surgical training tool. The May procedure marked its first reported use to provide real-time assistance during surgery on a patient.
The research was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research and Google, with additional support from the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at UCLH, the Royal College of Surgeons, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and Wellcome.
Researchers are now working toward a larger clinical study to evaluate the technology further.
The development does not mean AI has replaced neurosurgeons. Instead, it represents an experimental model in which AI provides additional information during an operation while clinical responsibility remains with the surgical team.
Why It Matters?
Live AI-assisted brain surgery could mark an important step toward using artificial intelligence as a real-time support tool rather than simply as a system for analyzing medical images before treatment. If larger clinical studies confirm its safety and usefulness, similar technology could eventually help surgeons recognize critical anatomy during other complex procedures. For now, however, the approach remains under clinical investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is live AI-assisted brain surgery?
It is a surgical approach in which an AI system analyzes video captured during an operation in real time and identifies important anatomical structures. In Hibbert’s case, the technology helped surgeons recognize nerves and blood vessels around a pituitary tumor.
Did the AI perform the brain surgery?
No. The surgeons remained in control of the procedure. The AI provided visual information and highlighted potentially critical structures to help the surgical team make decisions.
Who was the first patient to undergo this procedure?
Rhys Hibbert, a 48-year-old man from Bedfordshire, was the first reported patient to undergo brain tumor surgery with live AI assistance. His pituitary tumor was successfully removed and his vision improved after the operation.
Is live AI-assisted brain surgery available routinely?
Not yet. The technology was used as part of a clinical trial, and researchers are planning further clinical evaluation before its broader use can be established.
Sources: UCL, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, BBC, The Guardian, Euronews
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