Sociaal AI Lab Rotterdam 

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AI may seem purely digital, but it also uses energy, raw materials, and computers. In this workshop, you will explore what that means for nature. 

You will work with algae, fungi, soil, and materials such as iron and copper. Together, you will develop an idea for an AI application. Then you will look at which choices matter, such as data use, hardware and energy consumption. 

Based on these choices, we create a recipe for growing algae. The algae then show what the effect is: do they grow well, or do they start to decline? In this way, the impact of AI becomes visible through living material. 

So in 3 hours, you will not only create a design, but also experience how technical choices can affect the natural world.

Anyone who is curious about AI, design, nature and the future of technology. No prior knowledge is needed.   

The workshop is led by Tiwánee van der Horst. She works at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. Her research focuses on the impact of AI on the environment. She also explores how to make that impact visible and tangible for people through co-design.

This event consists of three workshops that take place on three different dates.

30 April 2026, from 14:00 to 17:00
7 May 2026, from 18:30 to 21:30
21 May 2026, from 14:00 to 17:00

The first group will create the first design ideas. The second and third groups will build on these ideas. They will reflect on the results of the previous workshop and adapt the designs based on what the algae show.   

All results will become part of an installation. There is room for a maximum of 10 participants per workshop.  So sign up here: