The AEQUITAS project addresses the growing concern over gender and racial biases embedded in biomedical artificial intelligence (AI), which have been found to cause serious diagnostic disparities and pose a threat to the fundamental rights protected by the EU Charter. It focuses particularly on biases present in AI tools used for diagnosing cardiovascular disease, depression, and diabetes. The project aims to protect rights such as equality, non-discrimination, and access to healthcare through targeted action.
To achieve this, AEQUITAS brings together civil society organisations, public hospitals, and academic institutions to increase awareness, build capacity, and produce practical tools such as a regulatory model and a dedicated database. It will train healthcare staff, equip CSOs to advocate and monitor AI tools, and create a European network for ongoing support and knowledge exchange. Ultimately, AEQUITAS seeks to reinforce the application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights in the digital age.