Developing artificial intelligence (AI) tools for healthcare is not only about algorithms and data – it is also about people. To ensure that new solutions truly meet the needs of those who use them, AI-PROGNOSIS has placed co-creation at the centre of its design process.

A structured co-creation process

Rather than developing technology behind closed doors, AI-PROGNOSIS involved people with Parkinson’s (PwP), caregivers, at-risk individuals, and healthcare professionals (HCPs) from the very beginning.

The project organised:

• 2 rounds of focus groups and surveys, to collect first-hand insights and expectations.

• 3 rounds of co-creation workshops, where PwP and HCPs worked side by side with researchers to discuss priorities and challenges.

• 3 prototyping sprints, where early versions of the tools were tested, refined, and improved based on feedback.

This structured, iterative approach ensured that design decisions were grounded in the real-world needs of users, rather than assumptions.

Voices from multiple countries

In total, 269 people with and without Parkinson’s (PwP and PwoP) from 16 countries contributed to AI-PROGNOSIS user research, through interviews, focus groups, and surveys. In addition, 84 healthcare professionals (HCPs) and PwP from the Patient Panel participated in co-creation workshops. This diversity brought valuable perspectives, reflecting differences in healthcare systems, digital literacy, and personal experiences with PD.

Why co-creation matters

The co-creation process helped uncover key priorities that guided the development of AI-PROGNOSIS tools:

• Trust and transparency: Users want to understand how AI works and how their data is used.

• Actionable insights: Tracking is only useful if it leads to clear, practical feedback.

• Accessibility: Tools must be easy to use, regardless of digital skills.

• Human oversight: AI should support, not replace, the patient–doctor relationship.

By building these priorities into design from the start, AI-PROGNOSIS ensures that its digital health applications — the mAI-Care app for people with Parkinson’s and the mAI-Insights platform for clinicians — respond to what matters most to users.

Co-creation is more than consultation: it is collaboration. By engaging patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals in every stage of development, AI-PROGNOSIS demonstrates how digital innovation in healthcare can be inclusive, responsive, and user-driven.