A new report from the European Research Council (ERC) highlights the vital role of AI research in reshaping healthcare and supporting the implementation of the EU’s framework for trustworthy AI. Focusing on ERC-funded health projects, it demonstrates how frontier research is contributing to safer, more transparent, and more effective AI systems across Europe.

The report analyses 238 ERC-funded projects involving AI in health, supported under FP7, Horizon 2020, and Horizon Europe, with a combined budget of €450 million. These projects apply AI to areas such as disease prevention and early detection, improved diagnosis, treatment optimisation, and the development of clinical decision-support systems.

A deeper analysis of 59 of these ERC-funded AI health projects, supported by the Horizon Results Booster, examines their outcomes and impact using qualitative and quantitative indicators, from publications to broader societal effects. In collaboration with the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA), synergies were also identified with projects funded under Horizon Europe.

Supporting the EU AI Act and policy frameworks

The report highlights how ERC-funded research can contribute to implementing the EU AI Act, under which most medical AI systems are classified as “high-risk” and must meet strict requirements for transparency, accuracy, and safety. It also highlights alignment with broader EU initiatives, including the European Health Data Space and the Apply AI Strategy, noting that many projects are already developing practical approaches to meet regulatory requirements.

Future directions

The report outlines several forward-looking recommendations from ERC-funded researchers, notably the need for sustained funding to advance frontier research and translate early-stage results into clinical applications. It also underscores the importance of secure, high-performance computing, access to high-quality datasets, and strengthening Europe’s sovereignty over health data and AI.

More details available here.