AI Tool Revolutionizes IVF Predictions

A startup in the UK is making waves in the fertility sector with an innovative AI tool that assesses couples’ chances of success with IVF treatments.

The idea is straightforward: if a couple doesn’t end up with a child, they won’t have to pay anything. Impressively, the algorithm has demonstrated a 90% accuracy rate so far.

Gaia, which describes itself as the “first provider of values-based family building,” has also introduced a price guarantee for New Yorkers opting to freeze their eggs.

“We’ve completely restructured the model so families know exactly what they are committing to,” said Nader Alsalim, the co-founder and CEO of Gaia. “It’s about transforming what once felt like a gamble into a well-thought-out plan.”

Alsalim, a former Goldman Sachs executive, understands the struggle personally. He established Gaia after undergoing a $50,000 journey to parenthood, which included five IVF rounds at various clinics before welcoming their son.

“Honestly, the largest cost wasn’t just financial; it was the uncertainty, lack of transparency, and the emotional toll of constantly questioning whether we’d achieve our goals,” he remarked. “It was incredibly draining.”

Reflecting on those challenging years, he described the experience as both lonely and exhausting—a blend of hope and despair in a medical system that often felt impersonal.

“That journey made it clear to me that systems prioritize procedures over people,” he noted. “How do we empower individuals with clarity and dignity in such uncertain times? That’s the real challenge—and opportunity.”

Building Families Affordably

Founded in 2019, Gaia aims to eliminate financial hurdles that discourage potential parents from pursuing IVF.

The major barrier? Upfront costs can reach up to $30,000 for a single round of IVF in the U.S., and many couples often require several attempts before successfully bringing home a child.

Gaia approaches this with a different strategy. They set a fixed total cost before any treatment begins, factoring in possible extra expenses like medication or multiple embryo transfers.

This is crucial, as follow-up procedures after a failed attempt can add thousands more—about $13,000 for another egg retrieval and upwards of $5,000 for additional embryo transfers.

Clients start by paying a one-time “protection fee,” usually about 20% of the treatment’s total cost. They can select a fertility clinic from Gaia’s network across the nation, which covers initial expenses for up to three IVF cycles.

If successful, parents will repay Gaia over eight years, with interest kicking in only after the baby is born. If three cycles yield no child, clients owe nothing.

“The real value here is peace of mind,” Alsalim shared. “This isn’t merely a list of services; it’s akin to a membership for the optimal journey to parenthood.”

Secure Egg Freezing

This year, Gaia partnered with Extend Fertility in Manhattan to offer the first egg freezing guarantee in the U.S., aimed at empowering women in their 30s about their reproductive choices.

“Our objective is to make egg freezing a viable option for more individuals, not just a luxury for those with $20,000 to spare,” Alsalim explained.

The process involves hormonal stimulation to mature multiple eggs, which are then retrieved and stored cryogenically for future use.

“If you attempt a cycle and end up with no eggs, you could potentially lose tens of thousands,” he added. “With Gaia and Extend, you can try again without that risk.”

Clients who don’t yield enough mature eggs in the first freezing cycle are entitled to a free second cycle or a refund. Should the frozen eggs not result in a birth within five years, Gaia will refund the freezing fee completely.

Once a birth occurs, clients have up to five years to repay Gaia at their convenience.

“This assurance makes the decision to freeze eggs early—a crucial time—much easier,” Alsalim mentioned.

AI Transforming IVF

So, how can Gaia make such an assurance when many families struggle with IVF and egg freezing?

The answer lies in artificial intelligence.

“We use AI to predict weather patterns and manage economic risks from natural disasters. Why not apply that to mapping out the best pathway for starting a family?” Alsalim questioned.

The technology employs AI and machine learning to estimate how many IVF rounds a couple may need, analyzing personal biometrics and extensive datasets from previous IVF cycles.

The evidence is compelling. Gaia reports a 90% success prediction rate for IVF and claims to have facilitated the births of over 100 babies, with more expected soon.

“AI in the fertility realm focuses on large-scale pattern recognition,” Alsalim explained. “When done right, it can change infertility treatments from a gamble into a guided experience.”

He often thinks about the combination of science, chance, finances, and sheer determination that brought his son into their lives.

“He’s six years old now, and I’m proud of him, yet he gets that many do not have this chance,” his father said. “It often comes down not to biology, but to financial pressure and uncertainty.”

While Gaia doesn’t eliminate the costs associated with infertility treatments, Alsalim affirmed their mission is to make the process “just, predictable, and emotionally manageable.”

“I’m excited for what comes next and will keep pushing forward to help more parents experience the joy I feel every day.”