AEQUITAS tackles one of today’s most pressing challenges

The rise of gender and racial biases in biomedical Artificial Intelligence. As AI tools are increasingly used in healthcare to assist diagnosis and treatment, biased datasets can lead to misdiagnosis, mistreatment, and ultimately violations of the fundamental rights enshrined in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

AEQUITAS brings together civil society organisations, healthcare institutions, and academic experts from across Europe to build capacity, raise awareness, and propose solutions.

The project has four main goals:

Empowering civil society organisations

Strengthening their ability to educate the public, monitor AI-related biases, and advocate for the protection of fundamental rights.

Training healthcare professionals

Equipping staff in public hospitals with the knowledge and tools to critically engage with AI systems and recognise potential biases in cardiovascular disease, depression, and diabetes diagnoses.

Developing practical tools

Creating the AEQUITAS Database, a Bias Report, and an AI Regulatory Model to support hospitals and CSOs in addressing discrimination in biomedical AI.

Influencing policy and building networks

Producing policy recommendations for decision-makers and establishing a European network of CSOs and hospitals to collaborate on protecting rights in the AI era.

Through guidebooks, awareness campaigns, and cross-border collaboration, AEQUITAS aims to ensure that AI in healthcare serves patients fairly, without reinforcing harmful inequalities.

Through guidebooks, awareness campaigns, and cross-border collaboration, AEQUITAS aims to ensure that AI in healthcare serves patients fairly, without reinforcing harmful inequalities.

Impact

AEQUITAS will make a lasting difference in how Europe approaches Artificial Intelligence in healthcare. By addressing bias in biomedical AI, the project contributes directly to protecting equality and fundamental rights, while also strengthening trust in new technologies.

The AEQUITAS project will make a difference in various sectors, by fostering:

Safer and fairer healthcare

Patients, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or background, will benefit from medical AI systems that are more transparent, equitable, and aligned with human rights principles.

Stronger civil society

CSOs will gain the skills, knowledge, and tools to monitor AI developments, raise awareness, and advocate for rights-based approaches to digital healthcare.

Better prepared healthcare professionals

Public hospitals and medical staff will be able to critically assess and use AI responsibly in key areas such as cardiovascular disease, depression, and diabetes.

Influence on EU policies and standards

Through reports, policy recommendations, and the AEQUITAS network, the project will contribute to shaping a European framework that minimises discrimination in AI-driven healthcare.

Long-term collaboration

The creation of a sustainable European network of CSOs and hospitals ensures that the fight against bias in biomedical AI continues well beyond the project’s lifetime.