The COMPASS-AI project, a new EU flagship initiative under the Apply AI Strategy, has officially launched to address one of the biggest challenges in digital health: how to safely and effectively deploy AI technologies in clinical practice at scale.

Our lab at the Universitat de Barcelona will lead the development of FUTURE-AI 2.0, an evolution of our 2025 BMJ framework, focusing on best practices for AI deployment. This work will cover key aspects such as local model performance, technical infrastructure, user training, quality assurance and monitoring, and governance.

To test and refine these guidelines, COMPASS-AI will conduct four diverse use cases spanning radiology, surgery, pathology, and administrative workflows, across hospitals, primary care centres, and remote settings. The outcomes will feed into an interactive European platform that provides tailored deployment guidance, showcases successful use cases, and offers training and community exchange opportunities.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to take the FUTURE-AI framework to the next level,” said Karim Lekadir, Director of BCN-AIM and ICREA Research Professor. “By refining it into actionable deployment guidelines and validating them in real clinical environments, we will ensure that AI technologies are implemented safely, responsibly, and with measurable impact for patients and healthcare professionals globally.”

The COMPASS-AI Kick-off Meeting took place in Brussels on 20 October 2025, bringing together high-level representatives from the European Commission and HaDEA.

For more information, visit the project website or follow the project on LinkedIn.