Rotterdam Social AI Lab

As part of the digital inclusion program plan, the Municipality of Rotterdam has initiated the Rotterdam Social AI Lab, in collaboration with Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR), Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences and Techniek College Rotterdam.

Sociaal AI Lab Rotterdam

As part of the digital inclusion program plan, the Municipality of Rotterdam has initiated the Rotterdam Social AI Lab, in collaboration with Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR), Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences and Techniek College Rotterdam.

Background

Technology is advancing rapidly and offers opportunities to improve services and connect with Rotterdam residents. However, we must balance innovation with social values. That’s why we collaborate with residents, scientists, businesses, and social partners to reflect on the purpose, impact, and ethics of digital applications.
This collaboration ensures diverse perspectives help shape how we use technology, data, and algorithms for social good—while addressing potential dilemmas and avoiding harmful outcomes.
As a city committed to digital inclusion, we focus on involving residents in decisions about algorithm use. Through active participation, we aim to lead by example and inspire other organisations to do the same.
Go to Sociaal AI Lab

Background

Technology is advancing rapidly and offers opportunities to improve services and connect with Rotterdam residents. However, we must balance innovation with social values. That’s why we collaborate with residents, scientists, businesses, and social partners to reflect on the purpose, impact, and ethics of digital applications.
This collaboration ensures diverse perspectives help shape how we use technology, data, and algorithms for social good—while addressing potential dilemmas and avoiding harmful outcomes.
As a city committed to digital inclusion, we focus on involving residents in decisions about algorithm use. Through active participation, we aim to lead by example and inspire other organisations to do the same.
Go to Sociaal AI Lab

Co-Creation

With the Rotterdam Social AI Lab, we create a platform for education, transparency about algorithm use by the municipality and a place where the municipality and Rotterdam residents can jointly develop algorithms for use by the municipality. We emphasize social opportunities, preventing undesirable outcomes from the use of technology, ethics and restoring trust in the government.
In doing so, we actively involve the people we do it for (the people of Rotterdam), other governments, social partners, the industry and the academic world (science) in formulating the research questions, objectives and methods for developing and applying algorithm applications and other forms of artificial intelligence.

Co-Creation

With the Rotterdam Social AI Lab, we create a platform for education, transparency about algorithm use by the municipality and a place where the municipality and Rotterdam residents can jointly develop algorithms for use by the municipality. We emphasize social opportunities, preventing undesirable outcomes from the use of technology, ethics and restoring trust in the government.
In doing so, we actively involve the people we do it for (the people of Rotterdam), other governments, social partners, the industry and the academic world (science) in formulating the research questions, objectives and methods for developing and applying algorithm applications and other forms of artificial intelligence.

Activiteiten van het Sociaal AI Lab Rotterdam

AI Awareness

Engage residents on what algorithms are, how they impact daily life, and how the municipality uses them to build AI literacy.

Co-Development

Collaborate with citizens, social partners, and scientists to create municipal algorithm applications that serve public needs and enhance services.

Ethical Focus

Explore ethical, legal, and social issues around tech use, focusing on justice, safety, inclusion, and sustainability, to drive public debate and guidance.

Knowledge Sharing

Share insights and best practices from the Social AI Lab with cities and partners to improve AI use and regulation in the public domain.

Social AI Code

Develop and promote a citywide code for responsible algorithm use, encouraging partners and companies to adopt ethical AI practices.

Experiments

Conduct lab and field experiments on social impact of AI.

Digiderius

Digiderius is an advanced AI combining language, deep learning, and visuals to simulate lifelike conversations with Erasmus. Click here for more information.

AI Code

AI Code of Conduct

Opening op 25 november

Tijdens de opening van het Sociaal AI Lab Rotterdam konden Rotterdammers zelf ervaren hoe AI kan worden gebruikt om sociale uitdagingen aan te pakken in zorg, welzijn en onderwijs. Zij lieten zich inspireren door een panelgesprek, inclusief een bijdrage van “digitale burgers”. Moniek Buijzen, hoogleraar aan de Erasmus Universiteit, gaf een inspirerende lezing. Verder waren er interactieve sessies van lopende projecten, waaronder Digiderius (de digitale Erasmus), een mobiel AI-laboratorium (AI Labkar) en een project waarin burgers samenwerkten met (overheids)organisaties om AI verantwoord in te zetten voor een veilige buurt (AIMAPS). Via een VR-ervaring, Outsourced, gemaakt door studenten van de Erasmus Universiteit, was de impact van AI op het milieu te zien.
Lees meer over de officiële opening

Involved Experts from the ECDA Expert Practices

  • Prof Vincent Blok – Professor in Philosophy of Data Science and AI, Erasmus School of Philosophy (Erasmus University Rotterdam)
  • Prof. Dr. Gabriele Jacobs – Professor of Organisational Behaviour and Culture (ESSB), Principal Investigator AI-MAPS
  • Prof. Dr. Evert Stamhuis – Chair Law & Innovation (ESL), Senior Fellow at Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence on Digital Governance
  • Dr Rebecca Moody – Assistant professor ESSB – Principal Investigator DE-CIST
  • Dr Otto Koppius – AI lead within AI@EUR team, Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University
  • Dr. Els van de Kar – Executive Fellow Business Information Management; – Service System Engineer. (RSM)
  • Georgiana Carp – Portfolio Manager AI Executive Education, Convergence
  • Prof. Arwin van Buuren – Full Professor of Public Administration (ESSB), Academic Director of the Erasmus Governance Design Studio and Academic Director of GovLab010
  • Marie Kegeleers – Immersive Experience Lab ECDA
  • Prof. Dr. Moniek Buijzen – Erasmus Professor AI in Society, Erasmus University Rotterdam
  • João Gonçalves – Associate Professor of AI and Digitalisation, Erasmus University Rotterdam

Partners

More information

Dr. Marcel van Oosterhout

Executive Director

Focused on digitalisation, AI, immersive tech for societal challenges; 25+ years in project management, research, and partnership

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