Ethics-aware Multimodal AI for COPD prevention, diagnosis, and treatment
Official title: EMAI-COPD: An Ethical Multimodal AI Model for Preventive, Diagnostic, and Therapeutic Interventions in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11573170 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A broad AI model uses diverse health data to help predict and manage COPD in people, with an emphasis on ethics and fairness.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 8, 2025 |
| Project end | September 7, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,267,926 |
| NIH project number | 3OT2OD038074-01S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11573170 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include adults at risk for COPD or with existing COPD who may engage with COPD-related data streams (imaging, wearables, clinical records) and contribute to model validation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not using COPD screening or treatment pathways may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project will combine genetic, molecular, imaging, wearable, and social data to build EMAI-COPD, an open-source multimodal AI tool. The model aims to support COPD prevention, diagnosis, and therapy by identifying disease subtypes, progression patterns, and early flare-ups. The team includes AI experts, COPD clinicians, and ethics specialists to ensure responsible development, bias reduction, privacy, and transparency. The research will generate a blueprint to adapt EMAI-COPD to other diseases, supporting broader translational impact. The work emphasizes collaboration, open-source delivery, and real-world applicability for patients with COPD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could improve early detection, personalize treatment, and potentially reduce COPD-related complications and hospitalizations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous multimodal AI efforts show promise, but this project emphasizes ethics-aware design and open-source sharing at scale for COPD.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Banaei-Kashani, Farnoush — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Banaei-Kashani, Farnoush
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This study is looking into how high carbon dioxide levels in people with COPD can lead to muscle weakness and tiredness, and it hopes to find ways to help improve muscle strength and overall well-being for those living with this condition.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.