As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly central to health and environmental research, the ethical, legal, and societal dimensions of innovation are more critical than ever. Within the ExpoHealthNet cluster, which unites seven Horizon Europe projects exploring the impact of environmental exposures on human health, there is a shared commitment to ensuring that technological progress advances hand-in-hand with ethical responsibility.
Ethics and Law: The Foundation of Responsible Innovation
Ethical and legal compliance should never be treated as mere formalities or administrative hurdles. They form the backbone of trustworthy and responsible innovation, ensuring that new technologies respect human dignity, data protection, and societal values.
As researchers develop and deploy AI-based tools to analyse complex health and environmental datasets, they must ensure that their work aligns with both robust ethical frameworks and binding regulatory standards. This dual commitment safeguards the integrity of scientific outcomes while fostering public trust in digital health solutions.
The ENACT Project: Guiding Principles for Ethical AI
Within the ENACT Project, one of the projects within the ExpoHealthNet cluster, we have identified a set of guiding principles that underpin our approach to ethically aligned AI in health research. These principles integrate legal compliance, ethical integrity, and societal responsibility:
- Critical Legal Frameworks
Compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the EU AI Act, the European Health Data Space (EHDS), the Medical Device Regulation (MDR), and the NIS2 Directive, together with the EU Ethical Guidelines for Trustworthy AI, provides the structural foundation for our work. These frameworks ensure transparency, accountability, and the protection of individual rights across all phases of data use and AI deployment.
- Core Ethical Foundations
Our ethical stance is grounded in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, the European Digital Health Principles, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD). These values guide the development of inclusive, accessible, and equitable digital health systems that empower individuals rather than exclude them.
- Biomedical Ethics and Research Integrity
Adherence to established ethical standards, including the World Medical Association’s Declaration of Helsinki and the principles of biomedical ethics, ensures that research prioritises patient safety, dignity, and respect. These principles are fundamental in all contexts, from clinical studies to large-scale data analytics.
- Human and Environmental Wellbeing
Health and sustainability are inseparable. By embracing the concepts of One Health and Planetary Wellbeing, ExpoHealthNet emphasises the interdependence between human health and the environment. Ethical AI in health research must therefore contribute to both individual well-being and ecological resilience.
From Principles to Practice: Embedding Ethics into Design
Embedding ethics into system design requires more than policy statements—it demands action through continuous risk management, ethical impact assessments, and both top-down governance and bottom-up participation. Involving diverse stakeholders, from patients and clinicians to ethicists and technologists, strengthens the legitimacy and trustworthiness of AI-driven systems.
Through this integrated approach, we aim to develop AI systems that are not only effective and innovative but also ethically sound and socially responsible.
A Shared Vision for Trustworthy AI
The ExpoHealthNet cluster represents a collaborative effort to ensure that technological innovation serves people and the planet responsibly. By embedding ethics at every stage, from data collection to algorithmic deployment, we are shaping a future in which AI contributes to sustainable health, social justice, and environmental stewardship.
Together, we can build trustworthy AI that upholds the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and care.