Fraunhofer Center for Assistive Information and Communication Solutions – AICOS
01.04.2025
At Fraunhofer Portugal AICOS (FhP-AICOS), we are committed to advancing Digital Health by leveraging AI and digital technologies to improve healthcare delivery and enhance patient outcomes. As we shape the future of healthcare, we must ensure that technology is built upon essential values—efficiency, empathy, accountability, and transparency.
On March 31st, we gathered at Casa da Prelada for the closing event of SIGNO and iNNOVSensing, two projects exploring co-creation in ophthalmology and mental health. More than just an opportunity to share results, the event served as a reflection on key lessons and best practices for developing impactful healthcare technologies.
With 37 participants, including researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals, discussions centered around the challenges of designing AI-powered health technologies that align with diverse stakeholder values.
"Together with participants, we reflected on the challenges of designing AI-powered health technologies that align with the values of diverse stakeholders throughout the entire development process. We also examined the complexities of conducting user research in healthcare, including the need for proper informed consent and the ethical and sociopolitical implications of collecting participant data. Additionally, we explored the difficulties of implementing and evaluating health technologies in real-world conditions." – Ricardo Melo, Senior Researcher at FhP-AICOS
"The day ended with a reflection on future directions and recommendations for developing user-centered AI technology grounded in best practices and healthcare stakeholder values." – Cristina Santos, Senior Researcher at FhP-AICOS
This event marked the conclusion of two groundbreaking research projects:
iNNOVSensing – A multidisciplinary project using multimodal dynamic data and machine learning to detect anxiety and depression severity, predict treatment responses, and improve mental health care for breast cancer survivors undergoing cognitive-behavioral therapy.
SIGNO – A research initiative in ophthalmology that brought together designers, HCI experts, philosophers, and healthcare professionals to co-create and explore how technology and data visualization in health communicate value systems.
Both projects reinforced our commitment to developing human-centered AI solutions and ensuring that healthcare technologies are not only technically advanced but also ethically sound, user-focused, and aligned with healthcare stakeholders' values.
As we move forward, FhP-AICOS remains dedicated to bridging the gap between research and real-world healthcare applications, shaping the future of AI in Digital Health.