The Equal AI project – «Defence of equality and non-discrimination by equality bodies regarding the use of artificial intelligence in public administrations» ran from September 2024 to September 2026. The initiative, co-financed by the European Union through the Technical Assistance Instrument (TSI) and implemented by the Council of Europe in cooperation with the European Commission and equality bodies from Belgium, Finland, and Portugal, primarily aimed to increase the capacity of public institutions to address discrimination situations linked to artificial intelligence and algorithmic systems.
Throughout its two years of implementation, the project fostered collaboration among equality bodies, public entities, experts, and civil society organizations. It contributed to the development of knowledge and support tools for preventing algorithmic discrimination.
Key outcomes include the training of over 370 professionals, the organization of 27 events, and the creation of technical resources and guidance documents. These materials, available in six languages, feature a report on legal protection against algorithmic discrimination in Europe, European policy guidelines, and a European methodology for assessing algorithmic discrimination, all with Portuguese versions.
The participation of the Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality (CIG) in this project deepened the understanding of the challenges artificial intelligence poses to equality and non-discrimination. It underscored the importance of integrating these principles into the development, governance, and use of AI systems by public administrations.
Although the project has formally concluded, the knowledge, tools, and cooperation networks developed serve as resources to continue the work of preventing algorithmic discrimination and protecting fundamental rights.
