ECDA Meetup ECDA Community Meetup on Ethical, Legal and Societal aspects of AIECDA Meetup
2024-11-12 16:30 - 18:30 (Europe/Amsterdam)
Spoken LanguageEnglishLocationY1-20 (Polak Building) , 1st floor

We would like to invite you to our quarterly community meetup & social drinks. Every quarter our community of stakeholders comes together at the Erasmus Data Collaboratory | House of AI at the Erasmus University Campus. It is an opportunity to exchange ideas, connect across industries and university centers, share updates, learnings, and trends. Also get inspired by flash talks from our experts and partners in the data, AI & Immersive Tech fields.

Prof. Vincent Blok will address the Ethical, Legal, and Societal Aspects (ELSA) of Artificial Intelligence. He will explore how ethical frameworks can guide the responsible design of AI systems to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability. The talk will also cover the dynamics between the ELSA requirements and economic objectives of private sector R&D companies. Prof. Blok will illustrate how integrating ELSA can harness AI’s potential for societal benefit while mitigating associated risks. Professor Vincent Blok has been appointed as professor of Philosophy of Data Science and AI at the Erasmus School of Philosophy. In his part-time appointment, Blok will work with colleagues and students to study, among other themes, the philosophical, ethical and social aspects of data science, artificial intelligence, the circular economy and climate change. Prof. Blok will lead the ECDA practice AI Ethics & accountability.

Port Transition Challenge
2024-11-15 11:00 - 2024-11-16 13:00
Spoken LanguageEnglishLocation‘Gele Keet’ (Galileistraat 33, Rotterdam)

Join us for the 24-hour Port Transition Challenge on November 15-16! This unique event, designed exclusively for students, offers you the chance to work on real-life problems and develop solutions that could shape the future of the Port of Rotterdam. You will make a social impact, gain hands-on experience, network with industry & policy professionals, and learn from experts while also having lots of fun!

About the event

Existing challenges at the Port of Rotterdam are provided by our partners and will be solved by you as student teams. The challenge owners will be present during the event to explain the challenges and give support – it’s up to you to solve it!

Over the course of 24 hours, you’ll collaborate with fellow students, go through the ideation process, guided by professional facilitators, network with industry &policy leaders, and push your skills to the limit. It’s a fast-paced, intense experience that mirrors the challenges professionals face in weeks or months — but you’ll tackle it all in just one day!

Who can participate?

This challenge is open to all EUR, EMC and TUD students. Whether you’re studying engineering, business, computer science, logistics, or any related field, this is your opportunity to apply your knowledge to a real-world scenario and make meaningful impact.

Event Details

Duration: 24 hours of continuous challenge-solving plus tons of fun activities in between

Location: Galileistraat 33, 3029 AM Rotterdam

Who: EUR, EMC and TUD Students from all backgrounds

Join us: Individually (and get assigned to a team) or with a team (max 5 people)

Challenges:

Port of the Future. How can the Port of Rotterdam transition to a circular model despite space limitations? This challenge focuses on involving diverse stakeholders to drive sustainable innovation, particularly addressing environmental concerns and advancing the circular plastic economy.

Operational Impact During Port Closures. How do you manage disruptions caused by extreme conditions, such as strong winds? This challenge is about evaluating the effects of port closures and estimating more accurate ship arrival times in the Port of Rotterdam.

What to Expect:

Make progress with team effort: Work in teams to solve complex problems while collaborating.

Have societal impact: Address real-life challenges that ports face today, and propose solutions that could be implemented – the challenge owners are there to assess your solutions!

Build your network and expand career possibilities: Network with potential employers, including facilitators and gain hands-on tips from inspirational speakers.

Enjoy fun activities to keep you going: Dance session or silent disco, glow in the dark yoga, midnight fries and much more.

Complete experience: A comprehensive package of using your knowledge for real life challenges, networking, fun, and win a bunch of seriously good prizes.

Feminist AI PhD Workshop: Creating Spaces for Care
2024-11-20 10:00 - 12:30
LocationMondai, Molengraaffsingel 8, Delft (TU Delft campus)Spoken LanguageEnglish

While AI is increasingly part of daily realities, concerns are arising from the lack of diversity in gender, race, and cultural narratives throughout its development and application. In this PhD workshop, we will explore the potential of feminist approaches, asking how AI can be informed by feminist theories, and be used in feminist projects (Adam, 1998).

The aims of the workshop are, first, to support PhDs in developing their projects through feedback and exchange; second, to connect projects from different disciplines (computer science, social science, design, humanities, and more) and envision current and future directions of research.

The workshop takes ‘care’ as a starting point, and explores what it means to care for each other, including the more-than-human-world. We will work on ways to create a space where we not only exchange ideas and feedback, but where we can also engage with the world to pay attention to and care for those marginalized and erased by hegemonic practices.

AI & Human Creativity or AI vs Human Creativity
2024-11-26 17:30 - 20:30
LocationCIC RotterdamLanguageEnglish

Are you interested in exploring the intersection of AI and meaningful human connection in Rotterdam?

Join us for the Women in AI Benelux event on Tuesday, the 26th of November, at CIC Rotterdam. We are nearly sold out, but there’s still an opportunity to transform your evening into an inspiring and thought-provoking experience.

This event, co-organized by Maya and me, will delve into a topic that resonates with many of us: the impact of AI on human creativity and how we can contribute to the ongoing dialogue. Our esteemed speakers, Trilce and Frederike, will share their insights to help us reconsider our relationship with AI and its role in fostering creativity.

Additionally, we are excited to feature a Community Spotlight session! This is your chance to briefly share something with the audience—a project you’re working on, an event you’re organizing, a job you’re seeking, or even a personal acknowledgement or invitation. Use this moment to connect with a vibrant and engaged community.

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with great experts, meet inspiring individuals, and be part of an impactful discussion. Secure your spot now before we’re fully booked!

Hackathon
2024-12-04 08:00 - 17:00
More info TBA!

Smart Campus Final Event
2024-12-09 14:00 - 17:00
LocationY1.10 Polak BuildingSpoken LanguageDutch & English

Het initiële Smart Campus programma van de Erasmus Universiteit eindigt eind dit jaar. Een mooi moment om terug te blikken op alle vorderingen die zijn gemaakt en inzichten die zijn verkregen.

En om vooruit te blikken op welke wijze wij het programma in de komende jaren willen gaan voortzetten. Als partner waarderen we uw bijdrage aan het programma, en hopen wij deze samenwerking te continueren!

Daarom nodigen wij u graag uit voor het Smart Campus Event op maandag 9 december om 14:00 (inloop vanaf 13:30).

Het evenement wordt georganiseerd in het Erasmus Data Collaboratory Y1.10, op de eerste verdieping van het Polak gebouw, op de campus Woudestein.

Het programma zal bestaan uit het belichten van de verschillende projecten en pilots van het Smart Campus project tot op heden, de link met wetenschappelijk onderzoek en een vooruitblik naar de mogelijke continuering van het programma.

Verder zal er een expositie plaatsvinden waar we onze (data)producten zullen presenteren. Het voorlopige programma vindt u hieronder:

Programma

TimeSessionPresenters14:00 – 14:20Welkom en introductieEllen van Schoten & Marcel van Oosterhout14:20 – 14:30Air quality and student perfonmanceMax Coveney (ENG)14:40 – 15:40Meten van benutting en bezetting onderwijszalenMatthijs Malkus14:50 – 15:00Sustainability behavior & impact of nudgingSebastian Gebel & Antonia Schwalb (ENG)15:00 – 15:10Introductie Smart Campus Experience & DemosJos van Dongen & Frederike Manders15:10 – 15:45 Bezoek aan de Xperience fair en pauze15:45 – 16:00User perspective in the adoption and use of smart campus toolsRebecca Mody16:00 – 16:15Smart campus vision document and follow-upEric van Grinsven16:15 – 16:30Samenvatting en recap van elle inzichten mbv visualMarcel van Oosterhout16:30 – 18:00Borrel en bezoek Xperience fair

Om een plaats te reserveren

Om een plaats te reserveren, kunt u contact opnemen met Dr. Marcel van Oosterhout door een e-mail te sturen naar moosterhout@rsm.nl.

Responsible AI Roundtable
2024-12-11 12:00 - 17:45
After the great success of our first AI Ethics Event, which saw over 100 enthusiastic participants, we are thrilled to announce the second edition—now even better, thanks to your feedback! Organized by the Innovation Center for Artificial Intelligence (ICAI), Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR), and the Erasmus Centre for Data Analytics (ECDA), this event will provide substantial insights and meaningful interactions.

Join us for a day of engaging discussions on responsible AI, trustworthy systems, policy, and all things relevant to the ethical deployment of artificial intelligence. Our main goal is to ensure everyone participates in the discussions, creating an environment where meaningful dialogue and diverse perspectives thrive. This event aims for a balanced representation of academics, industry practitioners, and government officers, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives.

ECDA Community Christmas Drinks
2024-12-17 16:00 - 19:00
LocationY1.10 & Y1.20Spoken LanguageEnglish

Context

Come join us for a festive gathering at the Erasmus Data Collaboratory, Y1.10 & Y1.20! It’s the perfect opportunity to mingle with fellow community members and spread some holiday cheer. Whether you’re a regular or new to the group, everyone is welcome to join in the fun. Let’s raise a glass together and celebrate the season in good company. Don’t miss out on this chance to connect with others and enjoy some holiday spirit!

Throughout the event, we will share ECDA’s impact over the past year with key data and success stories, while also offering a glimpse into our future ambitions and visionary goals, presented by Marcel. The event emphasizes community building, providing attendees with an opportunity to strengthen ties, share ideas, and contribute to ECDA’s inclusive mission for societal impact.

Guests will have the chance to participate in creating a new community photo, while individual portraits will also be captured for future marketing efforts. Additionally, attendees will experience the innovative Immersive Xperience Lab, featuring cutting-edge VR experiences and festive digital creations, like the interactive Digiderius Christmas tree.

This event will not only celebrate our collective achievements but also offer valuable networking opportunities, paving the way for future collaborations and community growth.

Agenda

Ecda Insights Session - Workshop Generative AI in de Verzekeringsbranche
2025-01-23 14:00 - 17:30
LocationPolak Gebouw, 1 e stage, zaal Y1-10LanguageDutch/English

Context

Generatieve AI (Artificial Intelligence) is een technologie die in staat is om nieuwe content te creëren, zoals tekst, afbeeldingen, muziek, en zelfs softwarecode. Het wordt “generatief” genoemd omdat het gebruikmaakt van algoritmen om output te genereren die lijkt op wat een mens zou kunnen maken. Deze AI-modellen worden getraind met grote hoeveelheden data, en leren patronen herkennen en repliceren in de context waarin ze worden toegepast. Bekende voorbeelden zijn ChatGPT voor tekstgeneratie en DALL-E voor het maken van afbeeldingen.

In de verzekeringssector kan generatieve AI op verschillende manieren waarde toevoegen:

1. Personalisatie van Klantinteracties

2. Efficiëntie en Automatisering

3. Fraudedetectie

4. Risicoanalyse en Schadeafhandeling

5. Productinnovatie

Hoewel generatieve AI veel kansen biedt, zijn er ook uitdagingen. Dataprivacy en ethiek zijn belangrijke overwegingen, omdat het werken met persoonlijke gegevens in de verzekeringssector gevoelig is. Daarnaast kan de implementatie van AI-technologie aanzienlijke investering en aanpassing vereisen.

In deze workshop bespreken we relevante mogelijkheden van Gen AI en de verschillende potentiële use cases. Om realistische en diepgaande inzichten te bieden met betrekking tot de adoptie van Gen AI in de verzekeringswaardeketen, werden interviews gehouden met AI-consultants en verzekeringsexperts. Dit droeg bij aan het begrijpen van het landschap van Gen AI en het formuleren van een raamwerk die verzekeringsmaatschappijen kunnen gebruiken wanneer ze een stap zetten om deze technologie in hun waardeketen te benutten.

Programma

TimeActivitySpeaker14:15 – 14:30Inloop met koffie en thee14:30 – 14:40WelkomMarcel van Oosterhout (ECDA) 14:40 – 15:00Introductie op Generative AIProf. Ting Li (EUR/RSM)15:00 – 15:20Inzichten uit onderzoek in de verzekeringsindustrie Mayu Tanioka (Digital Sundai) 15:20 – 15:30Introductie op de workshopRobin Zondag (Digital Sundai)15:30 – 17:00Workshop Kansen en Dillema’s met Generative AIRobin Zondag (Digital Sundai) en Ting Li (EUR/RSM)17:00 – 17:15Reflectie – wat nemen we mee en waar kunnen we mee aan de slag? Marcel van Oosterhout (ECDA) en Robin Zondag (Digital Sundai) 17:15 – 18:00Borrel

Whitepaper

De whitepaper kan hieronder worden gedownload.

TWIN4DEM: Digital Twins for Democratic Resilience
2025-01-29 17:30 - 18:00
LocationErasmus Data Collaboratory, Y1.08 and Y1.10, Polak building, Erasmus University Rotterdam LanguageEnglish

Join us for an engaging event organized by TWIN4DEM on how technology can help address the challenges facing modern democracies.

The TWIN4DEM project brings together 11 European partners to prototype digital twins of political systems in Czechia, France, Hungary, and the Netherlands. Using techniques like natural language processing and simulation models, the initiative investigates democratic decline, assesses policy impacts, and considers ethical and societal implications.

Join us for live demonstrations and experience a firsthand look at the transformative potential of digital twin technology in addressing democratic challenges. The event is a great opportunity to connect with experts, researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to foster collaboration, exchange ideas, and drive innovation.

Our distinguished speakers include Clara Egger, Co-Principal Investigator of TWIN4DEM and expert in social and behavioral sciences; our Executive Director at ECDA Marcel van Oosterhout; Giangiacomo Bravo, Professor of Computational Social Sciences at Linnaeus University; Maaike Harbers, a leading expert in AI and society at Hogeschool Rotterdam, and Erika Nika – Project Manager and Communications Expert at DBC Diadikasia. Together, they will provide unique insights and spark thought-provoking discussions.

NextGen Women: Digital Minds, Global Impact
2025-03-07 14:00 - 18:00
LocationErasmus Pavilioen , Rotterdam NetherlandsLanguage English

Join us on the 7th of March at the Erasmus Paviljoen where you will dive in a day where you can listen to powerfull keynote speakers, an inspiring panel discussion with female leaders in Women in Digital, walk through our Alice & Eve exhibition about 30 historical Women in Technology powered by the University of Twente and last but not least: Meet our digital human ‘Esther Oloffsen’!

There will be a lot of networking opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about leveraging digital technology to make a positive impact on a global scale.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out in your career, this event is designed to empower and inspire women in the digital space. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with the next generation of female leaders!

NextGen Women: The response of the EU to gender inequality in Europe. EU and Digital Minds towards a fair and equal future.

This event is powered by the European Parliament, Erasmus University, Stichting Droom en Daad, Erasmus Centre for Data Analytics, Women in Immersive Technology, University of Twente, Gemeente Rotterdam and Provincie Zuid-Holland

AD Meeting and Community Meetup on AI Strategy
2025-03-18 16:30 - 18:30
LocationErasmus Data Collaboratory, Polak Building (Y1-10) at the Erasmus University Rotterdam campusLanguageEnglish

Are you joining us on Tuesday, March 18, for our upcoming ECDA Community Meetup – AI Strategy? 🚀Our community will come together to share insights and discuss updates around AI, immersive tech, data analytics, and digitalization. During this edition, we will explore fruitful AI strategies and focus on approaches for effective AI strategy implementation.Our speakers will share insights on key aspects of AI strategy in both academic and business contexts.This edition, we are happy to welcome two distinguished speakers:Dr. Jason Pridmore, Co-Director of the Community for Learning & Innovation – Erasmus University Rotterdam, Co-Lead of the AI Strategy Working Group at Erasmus University Rotterdam, and Academic Director at Erasmus Centre for Data Analytics, will discuss the university’s academic approach to AI strategy, with a focus on its societal and ethical dimensions.Emma R Verhagen, Founder of Ideal Shift.AI and former Global Tech Portfolio Director at Unilever, will reveal how organizations can craft effective, results-driven AI strategies to excel in today’s dynamic business landscape.After the talks, there will be a Q&A session, and aditionally we will seize the opportunity to enjoy drinks, bites, and inspiring conversations with like-minded professionals and AI enthusiasts. We look forward to connecting, sharing ideas, and discussing the future of AI within this data-driven community.If you haven’t received an invite, or if you would like to bring a guest or colleague, please send an e-mail to ecda@eur.nl before the event, so we can accommodate you.

Erasmus Data Summit 2025
2025-04-10 13:00 - 18:00
In its sixth year, the Erasmus Data Summit 2025 focuses on the growing influence of AI-driven hyper-personalization, or “n=1,” in shaping society. From personalized healthcare to tailored education, AI promises unparalleled opportunities but also presents significant challenges, such as the erosion of community and social cohesion. This year’s summit will critically explore the balance between these benefits and risks.

Join us on April 10 2025, at the Erasmus University Rotterdam, to explore how AI-driven hyper-personalization is reshaping society. From thought-provoking keynotes to an exciting Innovation Expo, this is where academics, industry leaders, and data enthusiasts meet to shape the future.

For more detailed information and for registration please go to erasmus data summit page by clicking the buttom below

After Movie

We are delighted to present the aftermovie of the 2024 edition of the Erasmus Data Summit

TwitchCon
2025-05-31 08:00 - 2025-06-01 17:00
TwitchCon is taking over Rotterdam Ahoy on May 31st and June 1st for the weekend ! 🚀A vibrant gathering of gamers, streamers and creator economy professionals. Both in real life at Ahoy and on the live broadcast.

The Financial Sector as a Data Trove
2025-06-13 16:00 - 17:00
Have you ever realized that money and investments in modern financial systems are essentially data?

Join us on June 13 for the inaugural lecture of our Academic Director of the Fintech Expert Practice, Professor Dion Bongaerts, as he will be officially appointed as Chair of Financial Technology and Data Analytics at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University.

Professor

Prof.dr. D.G.J. (Dion) Bongaerts
Rotterdam School of Management (RSM), Department of Finance

Date
Friday 13 Jun 2025, 16:00 – 17:00

Type
Lecture

Location
Aula, Erasmus University Rotterdam

In his lecture’ The Financial Sector as a Data Trove’, Dion Bongaerts will dive into the invisible infrastructure behind today’s financial markets and its most important building block: data. He’ll explore how financial systems are no longer driven by capital alone, but by how we collect, store, analyze, and apply information.

As a leading researcher — with publications in top journals such as the Journal of Finance and the Review of Financial Studies, and presentations at renowned institutions including the AFA, NBER, and ECB — and with professional experience as a risk management quant at ABN AMRO, Dion Bongaerts will bring both academic depth and practical relevance to the topic.

Attendees will gain insight into how financial systems are structured and how emerging technologies such as blockchain, synthetic data, and AI are transforming the financial landscape. The lecture will also address how disparities in access to data and analytical capabilities are already affecting key outcomes like market quality and liquidity.

Congratulations to Dion Bongaerts on this important milestone and his role in advancing research and education in financial technology and data analytics.

Can’t attend in person? Watch the livestream of the lecture via the link.

Follow us for more projects, updates, and events around data, AI, and Fintech.

AICON Partners with NEMO Science Museum: Exploring AI Through Children's Eyes
2025-06-15 11:30 - 13:30
Research group AICON has started a collaboration with NEMO Science Museum in Amsterdam. From within the university to the outside, from Rotterdam to Amsterdam – AICON is always looking for connections with a common goal: to be able to discuss research into the meaning of AI in society. In this case, children and their parents/guardians can discover how the mysterious AI machine in NEMO works.

Professor

Prof.dr. MA (Moniek) Buijzen
Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences

Researcher

Dr. DJ (David) Blok
Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences

Date
Sunday 15 Jun 2025, 11:30 – 14:30

Type
Workshop

Location
NEMO Science Museum, Amsterdam

Together with artist Maarten Bel (known from VPRO’s De Cadeaufabriek) and scientist David Blok, AICON is launching an exciting new project where children and their parents or carers become co-researchers. At the heart of the project is a curious AI machine that has just arrived at NEMO—one that doesn’t quite understand our world yet. That’s where the children come in. Through hands-on interaction, they test the machine, offer input, and ask questions: What is AI, really? What can it do—and what can’t it? And what does it mean for our future?

This collaborative exploration marks the beginning of a co-creation process involving the public, artists, and scientists. The goal: to develop an interactive intervention that serves as preliminary research for a more permanent AI installation at NEMO.

Sunday 15 June

Time
Language

11.30 hrs
Dutch

12.30 hrs
English

13.30 hrs
Dutch

More information

The research initiative AICON movement connects citizens, artists, and researchers in an exploration of the social-beneficial potential and challenges of AI. This collaborative project focuses on empowering communities, allowing citizens to discover what defines their environment and how they engage with the world.

Decolonising Education through Indigenous Games
2025-06-17 17:30 - 18:30
How can Indigenous games help us decolonise education?

Join Professor Dick Ng’ambi, expert in digital pedagogy and founder of ETILAB, for a free online talk exploring how traditional African games can reshape modern education and honour Indigenous knowledge systems

Hosted by

Internet teapot

Date
Tuesday 17 June 2025

Time
17:30 – 18:00 CEST

Type
Talk

Location
Online – open to all

Speaker

Prof. Dick Ng’ambi

Learn about OERiGA, an initiative preserving endangered Indigenous games and integrating them into mainstream curricula as tools for transformation.

This session is part of the Mzansi Climate Justice Game Jam, a South Africa–Netherlands collaboration using games to reimagine climate justice through perspectives from the Global North & Global South

Hosted by Luis Bracamontes and powered by the Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve Industrie: Climate Justice Program and our amazing collaborators!

Find out more about the Mzansi Climate Justice Game Jam

The Design for Human Autonomy - Annual Theme Conference
2025-06-18 09:00 - 17:00
The Delft Design for Values Institute invites you to the Design for Human Autonomy Conference!

This event will share cutting-edge knowledge, practical perspectives, and innovative insights to foster the aim of design for human autonomy. You can expect an inspiring day with talks from one of the world’s leading scholars on the ethics of influence, Cass Sunstein, interactive workshops and the award of the best TU Delft student thesis on the topic of Design for Human autonomy.

The Design for Values Institute has selected the value Human Autonomy for the Annual Theme of 2024-2025 and this will be the closing event of the theme.

Hosted by

TU Delft, Design for Values

Date
Wednesday 18 June 2025

Time
09:00 – 17:00

Location
Vakwerkhuis, Delft, the Netherlands, Professor Schermerhornstraat 4, 2628 PZ Delft

Keynote Speakers

Cass Sunstein
Suzie Kewal

Why Human Autonomy?

The drive for autonomous technology spans from workplaces to personal lives, promising breakthroughs in safety, healthcare, and daily conveniences. But this raises a crucial question: What happens to human autonomy? Historically seen as a tool to enhance our freedom, today’s technology risks undermining human control and agency.

The quest for more autonomous technology has become a focal point of academic inquiry and public discourse. From the workplace, where we envision robots taking over hazardous tasks, to our personal lives, where intelligent AI assistants may soon play a significant role in healthcare and education, the allure of autonomy in technology is undeniable. This fascination extends to contexts as diverse as warfare, where autonomous drones both elicit fear and promise safety, and to our homes, where smart companions, caregivers, and lovers could transform everyday life.

In the pursuit of design that enhances human autonomy, the Design for Values Institute is a pioneer, actively involved in creating awareness, providing guidance, and fostering a dialogue on human autonomy in technological design. The institute aims to fundamentally change how we understand and accept technology, resulting in the increase of autonomy of people and a better society. This event serves as a stepping stone to bring these discussions forward.

For who is the event?

The event is open for anyone, but is specifically organized for researchers and practitioners working on technology (design) which have an effect on the autonomy of humans.

Webinar: AI for Smarter Marketing Decisions
2025-06-18 15:00 - 15:45
In this upcoming live webinar, we will be diving into the exciting topic of AI and how to effectively use it for marketing.

The webinar will be a panel discussion with industry and academic experts. It will be hosted by faculty from the Erasmus School of Economics.

Speakers

Dr. Pieter Schoonees
Dr. Kathrin Gruber
Tjadi Peeters

Date
Wednesday June 18 2025, 15:00 – 15:45

Type
Webinar

Location
Zoom (Online)

It will be a great conversation, exploring topics such as:

Using neural networks for unified marketing attribution measurement
Automatic spending and return-on-ad-spend targeting with artificial intelligence (AI)
Evaluating marketing campaigns with AI agents

The Future of the Cultural and Creative Economy
2025-06-24 09:00 - 18:00
Can art help bridge the growing inequalities in our cities? What role can culture play in fostering individual and collective well-being? And who pays the price for creativity?

Join us during the ACEI 2025 Public Day to explore these pressing issues through dialogue, debate, and shared imagination. Together with artists, researchers, policymakers, and citizens, we’ll ask not only what culture can do- but also what it should do- in a rapidly changing world.

Hosted by

ACEI

Date
Tuesday 24 June 2025

Time
09:00 – 18:00 CEST

Type
Conference

Location
Campus Erasmus University, CB1 – Theil Building

Keynote Speaker

Ruth Towse

The future of the cultural and creative economy

We find ourselves at a pivotal moment where the boundaries between art, culture, and the economy are being redrawn. In a world where both public and private funding are under pressure, and where the cultural and creative sectors must navigate the tension between innovation and commercialization, fresh insights and bold, transformative ideas are more urgent than ever.

Join us on 24 June at Erasmus University Rotterdam

The mission of Erasmus University Rotterdam is to create positive societal impact through education and research, in close collaboration with both local and global stakeholders. In its commitment to understanding and addressing today’s complex societal challenges, the university is uniquely positioned to serve as the organizer for a day dedicated to exploring the roles of art, culture, and creativity in shaping the world we live in.

Erasmus University Rotterdam is proud to host the 23rd International Conference on Cultural Economics (ACEI) — a gathering that not only celebrates 50 years of scholarship but, more importantly, looks ahead to the future of the field. To mark this occasion, and to make the most of the presence of hundreds of conference participants from around the world, we are launching the conference with a special opening day. This event brings together professionals, policymakers, alumni, students, researchers, and other engaged audiences for a shared exploration of urgent questions and emerging insights. This special day—featuring an exceptional keynote by Ruth Towse and three engaging panel discussions—is not to be missed by anyone interested in the future of the cultural and creative economy.

What can you expect?

Insights into the latest trends and research in cultural economics
A deeper understanding of the evolving role of copyright in creative industries
An opportunity to engage with like-minded academics and professionals

Expect an inspiring day about the challenges and opportunities of the creative economy together with policymakers, academics, industry, and professionals.

Additional speakers will be announced shortly as the program is finalized: stay tuned for updates.

Practical information

This day is hosted by Erasmus University Rotterdam and free of charge for those attending. Please make sure you register for this event via the green button register here!

More information and registration options for the 23rd ACEI conference on Cultural Economics (including the Young Researchers’ workshop).

Making Games in Political Crisis
2025-06-24 17:30 - 18:00
What does it mean to make games during political crisis (and why does it matter)?

Join Paolo Pedercini, game developer, researcher, and founder of the radical indie game studio Molleindustria for a thought-provoking online talk exploring how games can challenge power, question dominant narratives, and serve as tools for resistance and activism.

Hosted by

Internet teapot

Date
Tuesday 24 June 2025

Time
17:30 – 18:00 CEST

Type
Talk

Location
Online – open to all

Speaker

Join Paolo Pedercini

Since 2003, Molleindustria has created short-form, free games that push back against the idiocy of mainstream entertainment. From themes of climate collapse to labor exploitation and urban politics, Paolo’s work dares to make games political, poetic, and powerful.

This session is part of the Mzansi Climate Justice Game Jam, a South Africa–Netherlands collaboration using games to reimagine climate justice through perspectives from the Global North & Global South

The session will be hosted by Luis Bracamontes and is powered by Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve Industrie: Climate Justice Program and our amazing collaborators!

AICON Partners with NEMO Science Museum: Exploring AI Through Children's Eyes
2025-06-25 13:30 - 15:30
Research group AICON has started a collaboration with NEMO Science Museum in Amsterdam. From within the university to the outside, from Rotterdam to Amsterdam – AICON is always looking for connections with a common goal: to be able to discuss research into the meaning of AI in society. In this case, children and their parents/guardians can discover how the mysterious AI machine in NEMO works.

Professor

Prof.dr. MA (Moniek) Buijzen
Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences

Researcher

Dr. DJ (David) Blok
Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences

Date
Sunday 15 Jun 2025, 11:30 – 14:30

Type
Workshop

Location
NEMO Science Museum, Amsterdam

Together with artist Maarten Bel (known from VPRO’s De Cadeaufabriek) and scientist David Blok, AICON is launching an exciting new project where children and their parents or carers become co-researchers. At the heart of the project is a curious AI machine that has just arrived at NEMO—one that doesn’t quite understand our world yet. That’s where the children come in. Through hands-on interaction, they test the machine, offer input, and ask questions: What is AI, really? What can it do—and what can’t it? And what does it mean for our future?

This collaborative exploration marks the beginning of a co-creation process involving the public, artists, and scientists. The goal: to develop an interactive intervention that serves as preliminary research for a more permanent AI installation at NEMO.

Sunday 25 June

Time
Language

13.30 hrs
Dutch

14.30 hrs
English

15.30 hrs
Dutch

More information

The research initiative AICON movement connects citizens, artists, and researchers in an exploration of the social-beneficial potential and challenges of AI. This collaborative project focuses on empowering communities, allowing citizens to discover what defines their environment and how they engage with the world.

Emerging Innovations: Start-up Pitch Competition
2025-06-26 08:00 - 17:00
Do you have a groundbreaking (responsible) AI solution for health care?

Join the Start-up Pitch Competition at the Responsible AI in Health Care Conference (CRAIHC 2025) and pitch your innovation to a jury of leading investors, health professionals, and experts.

What’s in it for you?

€10,000 cash prize (incl. VAT) for the winning pitch
If accepted to the conference, you can win the prize money and get a free ticket for the full conference
A chance to present in front of top-tier investors, clinicians, and innovation scouts
Visibility for your start-up in the Responsible AI in Health care ecosystem
Exclusive networking opportunities throughout the conference

Who should apply?

We’re looking for start-ups and scale-ups working on Responsible innovations with AI in health care. Whether you’re tackling diagnostics, patient engagement, clinical workflow support, or health equity — if you’re using AI responsibly to improve health care, we want to hear from you.

You should:

Be a registered company (start-up or scale-up)
Have a product or service at least at MVP stage
Be available to pitch live during the conference on September 11th

Pitch deck criteria

We would like to receive a maximum of 10 slides that include the following information:

Company name, website, and contact info
Description of the company and its mission
Stage of development (early-stage, growth-stage)
Problem being solved
Details of the solution/product being pitched
What is your definition of responsible use / steps taken to develop and use AI responsible
Details of the solution/product being pitched
Market potential
Team overview and key people involved

Possible interesting additions:

Your open questions regarding responsible AI in your solution/product
Societal relevance of the solution/product being pitched

What the Jury will be looking for

Why You? – Team & Capability
Why Now? – Timing & Urgency
Responsible by Design
Ethical & Regulatory Readiness
Stakeholder Engagement
Implementation Readiness, Scalability, Feasibility
Societal impact & equity
Clarity of Value Proposition
Quality of Submission

Ready to pitch?

Apply now by filling out this form or use the QR Code below and sending an email with your pitch deck to craihc@erasmusmc.nl!

Big Tech Debate
2025-06-26 15:30 - 18:00
Are universities truly steering their own digital destinies – or are we moving towards an ecosystem shaped by global tech giants?

Join us for “Academic Autonomy in the Digital Age: A Stakeholder Discussion,” an open debate that brings together leading voices from European policy, journalism, industry, and academia.

Speakers

Kim van Sparrentak, Member of the European Parliament
Ilyaz Nasrullah, Digital Strategist and Technology Columnist
Wout van Wijngaarden, CIO, Erasmus University
Jet de Ranitz, Public Sector Director, Microsoft

Date
Wednesday June 26 2025, 15:30 – 18:00

Type
Debate

Location
Polak Building, 50 Burgemeester Oudlaan, 3062 PA Rotterdam

Our panel:

Kim van Sparrentak, Member of the European Parliament
Ilyaz Nasrullah, Digital Strategist and Technology Columnist
Jet de Ranitz, Public Sector Director, Microsoft
Wout van Wijngaarden, CIO, Erasmus University

Each speaker will share their perspective on digital sovereignty in higher education, followed by a lively panel discussion exploring the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Why this debate matters:

As universities accelerate digital transformation, they increasingly rely on commercial platforms-especially integrated solutions from providers like Microsoft. These platforms offer robust, user-friendly tools that have become essential for teaching, research, and administration. At the same time, this reliance raises important questions about academic freedom, data autonomy, and Europe’s capacity to shape its own digital future.

Key topics we’ll explore:

How can universities maximize the benefits of advanced digital platforms while safeguarding their autonomy and public values?
What does digital sovereignty mean in a world where integrated solutions are difficult to replicate, and how can universities maintain flexibility?
How are European regulations and initiatives shaping the relationship between higher education and big tech?
Which collective strategies can universities pursue – such as sector-wide procurement or open-source collaboration – to balance innovation and independence?
How can industry and academia work together to ensure digital infrastructure is secure, ethical, and aligned with European values?

This event is your chance to engage with leaders shaping the digital landscape of academia. Whether you’re a student, researcher, policymaker, or IT professional, your insights are vital to this conversation.

Save your seat and help us chart the course for academic autonomy in the

DUTCH VERSION

Varen universiteiten werkelijk hun eigen digitale koers – of bewegen we naar een ecosysteem dat wordt gecontroleerd door wereldwijde techgiganten?

We nodigen je graag uit voor “Academische Autonomie in het Digitale Tijdperk: Een Stakeholderdiscussie”, een open debat waarin toonaangevende stemmen uit de Europese politiek, journalistiek, het bedrijfsleven en de academische wereld samenkomen.

Ons panel:

Kim van Sparrentak, Lid van het Europees Parlement
Ilyaz Nasrullah, Digital strateeg en technologie columnist
Jet de Ranitz, Directeur Publieke Sector, Microsoft
Wout van Wijngaarden, CIO, Erasmus Universiteit

Elke spreker deelt zijn of haar visie op digitale soevereiniteit in het hoger onderwijs, gevolgd door een levendige paneldiscussie over de kansen en uitdagingen die voor ons liggen.

Waarom dit debat belangrijk is:

Nu universiteiten hun digitale transformatie versnellen, vertrouwen zij steeds vaker op commerciële platforms – met name de geïntegreerde oplossingen van aanbieders als Microsoft. Deze platforms bieden robuuste, gebruiksvriendelijke tools die essentieel zijn geworden voor onderwijs, onderzoek en administratie. Tegelijkertijd roept deze afhankelijkheid belangrijke vragen op over academische vrijheid, data-autonomie en Europa’s vermogen om haar eigen digitale toekomst vorm te geven.

Onderwerpen die we bespreken:

Hoe kunnen universiteiten optimaal profiteren van geavanceerde digitale platforms, terwijl zij hun autonomie en publieke waarden waarborgen?
Wat betekent digitale soevereiniteit in een wereld waarin geïntegreerde oplossingen moeilijk te repliceren zijn, en hoe behouden universiteiten hun flexibiliteit?
Hoe beïnvloeden Europese regelgeving en initiatieven de relatie tussen het hoger onderwijs en big tech
Welke collectieve strategieën kunnen universiteiten volgen – zoals sectorbrede inkoop of open source-samenwerking – om innovatie en onafhankelijkheid in balans te brengen?
Hoe kunnen industrie en academische wereld samenwerken om digitale infrastructuur veilig, ethisch en in lijn met Europese waarden te houden?

Dit evenement biedt jou de kans om in gesprek te gaan met leiders die het digitale landschap van de academische wereld vormgeven. Of je nu student, onderzoeker, beleidsmaker of IT-professional bent – jouw inzichten zijn onmisbaar in deze discussie.

Reserveer je plek en help mee om de koers voor academische autonomie in het digitale tijdperk uit te zetten.

Human Conversations
2025-07-01 15:00 - 18:00
The first session of the Humane Conversations series will focus on the evolving relationship between art and artificial intelligence.

This event brings together a panel of researchers and artists to explore how artistic expression can be used to communicate, reimagine, and reflect on developments in AI technologies. The discussion will also examine how emerging AI tools are enabling new forms of artistic creation.

Hosted by

RPA Humane

Date
Tuesday 1 July 2025, 15:00 – 16:30Drinks until 18:00

Type
Panel Discussion

Location
In person at the Sweelinck room of the Institute of Advanced Study (IAS), Oude Turfmarkt 145–147, or join online (link to be provided shortly)

National XR Day 2025
2025-07-02 09:15 - 17:30
The National XR Day showcases a variety of immersive technologies developed by SURF member institutions and inspiring partners. The event aims to connect visitors who share a passion for immersive tech and are interested in exploring opportunities for collaboration. It also seeks to inspire attendees by highlighting the many possibilities these technologies offer.

Dive into the world of immersive technologies! This year we will be exploring the theme ‘shaping new realities’ that emphasizes the shaping of new human-centered immersive applications that are developed in cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Hosted by

SURF

Date
Wednesday 2 July 2025, 09:15 – 17:30

Type
Conference

Location
Erasmus University Rotterdam, Theil Building and Erasmus Building (Woudestein Campus)

Speakers

Keynote: Frank Buytendijk
Featured: Jocelyn Park-Ross

With the ever-growing convergence of AI and XR, the National XR Day 2025 will emphasize on new applications of immersive technologies, which are created by the full potential of creative, practical, and analytical minds of the SURF member institutions and inspiring partners. The National XR Day 2025 aims to not only showcase the amazing work of the SURF member institutions but also bring together like-minded people with a passion for immersive technologies and the impact they can make. The National XR Day will be a place to learn from each other, inspire each other and build new opportunities to co-design and create our future realities emerging in education and research.

Get Inspired by

Current and upcoming applications of XR within the SURF community
Engaging sessions about topics related to the use of XR
The latest XR technology developments such as AI within XR applications
A demo market with XR use cases and applications that you can try out
Prominent speakers and network opportunities with other XR experts

Other interesting sessions

Panel discussion: “When is VR a good learning environment?”
Workshop: Play and Build Your Way to Safer XR with Polder Perspectives and XRSI
Presentation: Co-Creating an XR App Store for Education in the Netherlands
Presentation: High-Fidelity Collaboration in the Metaverse with XR-IT
Presentation: Device Management and Content Sharing with the XRScaleKit
Birds of a Feather: Gaussian Splatting in XR – Photoreal 6DoF
Closing: Fashion tech experience

Delft FinTech Summit 2025: Sparking collaborative innovation
2025-07-03 10:00 - 17:30
We are proud to announce the third edition of the Delft FinTech Summit, a gathering that celebrates trusted partnerships and sparks new ideas to shape the future of finance with technology innovation.

Join leading experts from IBM, Rabobank, Robeco, Erasmus University, University of Luxembourg and TU Delft to explore how generative AI, machine learning, blockchain and privacy-preserving technologies are transforming finance in areas such as trading, risk management, knowledge extraction, identity management, crime detection and more.

Hosted by

Mondai

Date
Thursday 3 July 2025

Time
10:00 – 17:03 CEST

Type
Event

Location
Mondai | House of AI, Delft

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Erik Altman (IBM T.J. Watson Research Center) and many more

AI onderwijsdag voor alle A(N)IOS en Medisch-Specialisten
2025-07-04 09:00 - 17:00
Gastsprekers

Prof. Dr. Diederik Gommers, (Afdelingshoofd Intensive Care, Erasmus MC)
Dr. Joost Huiskens
Dr. Ir. Dirk Schraven

Datum
4 juli 2025, 09.00–17.00 (netwerkborrel na afloop)

Type
Symposium

Locatie
Querido-zaal, Onderwijscentrum Erasmus MC

Kosten
AIOS gratis (vergoed als DOO), ANIOS & coassistenten gratis, anderen € 40

Accreditatie
AIOS = DOO; medisch specialisten in aanvraag

Eerste AI onderwijsdag voor alle A(N)IOS en Medisch-SpecialistenOp vrijdag 4 juli organiseren we samen met de AI Accelerator | Erasmus MC de 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐈 𝐎𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐢𝐣𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐠 voor ANIOS, AIOS en medisch specialisten in de OOR ZWN.Leer hoe je verantwoord én ethisch AI inzet in de klinische praktijk.

Start met het nieuwe AI-profiel voor AIOS en word klinisch AI-expert!

Andere sprekers:

Davy Van De Sande, Michel van Genderen, Adrienne zandbergen, Stefan Buijsman, Hanneke A. Luth, Sade Krijgsman, Bart Geerts

Future Society Lab
2025-07-08 08:00 - 17:00
Join our Future Society Lab meetup on 8 July (live in Rotterdam)

Hosted by

Future Society Lab

Date
Tuesday 8 July 2025

Type
Meetup

Speaker

Rebecca Moody

Speakers and topics:

‘AI & Society’ – Maaike Harbers (Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences)
‘AI & Resilience’ – Maurice de Beer  (Veiligheidsregio Rotterdam-Rijnmond)
‘AI & Acceptance of Digital Humans’ – Rebecca Moody (Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences (ESSB))t
‘AI & Resistance’- Inge Janse (Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Centre for BOLD Cities)

Like to attend our meetup? Let us know and we’ll sign you up.

Join our LinkedIn group to stay updated: https://lnkd.in/es_937Qd (more than 600 members!)

Look what we’ve collectively learned during our previous meetup: https://lnkd.in/gidfQWky

Responsible AI in Healthcare - Conference
2025-09-11 08:00 - 2025-09-12 17:00
On Thursday 11 and Friday 12 September 2025, the conference ‘Responsible AI in Health Care’ takes place in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Please join and bring together the most important voices to realize responsible AI for health care!

Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to impact society in various and profound ways. It is inevitable that health care will face significant changes through the introduction of AI systems that are intended to support the health care system with diagnosis, treatment decision-making, hospital management, medical research and development, nursing care, and the health infrastructure (homecare, insurance etc.) more broadly.

Hosted by

Convergence Center

Date
Wednesday 11 – Thursday 12 September 2025

Type
Conference

Location
Hilton Rotterdam, Weena 10, 3012 CM Rotterdam

Speakers

Prof. Brent Mittelstadt – University of Oxford
Jan-Willem Scheijgrond – Philips / COCIR
Prof. Tamar Sharon – Radboud University Nijmegen
Prof. Dr. Peter van der Spek – Erasmus MC

The Purpose

The conference ‘Responsible AI in Health Care’ will clearly map how the introduction of AI in medicine unfolds, which aspects of the health care systems will be impacted most, and how this impact will unfold. First and foremost, it intends to discuss in depth, the question how to shape this transition in a responsible way.

As the WHO calls for “safe and ethical medical AI” , academics and practitioners are pressed to address the question, which of the ongoing and future developments in medical AI are desirable or could be desirable under the right conditions. Prominent voices have suggested that the introduction of medical AI can “make medicine human again” (Topol 2019). Warnings, however, that the introduction of medical AI systems undermines the integrity of the patient-doctor relationship, that it threatens responsibility attribution in that system, that it reproduces existing social biases and inequalities (eg in diagnostic processes), that it disorients medical research and makes health care more inefficient, have equally been issued.

What would it mean to make AI practices and products responsible? What values ​​would need to be implemented in the design of those technologies and how can this be done? What ways can we discover to ensure that health care stays responsible after the introduction of AI? These and other questions will be discussed in depth during this international conference.

Who is the conference for ?

The conference brings together medical specialists, academics, R&D teams, designers, start-ups and scale-ups to discuss state-of-the-art knowledge on responsible innovation, ethics and regulation. You can connect to inspiring opinion leaders, scientific experts and industry leaders on the development of AI for health care, you can meet peers and connect to the Research and Innovation ecosystem. This collaboration across disciplines and practices is the most promising avenue to optimal usage of AI in health care practice. All considerations, opinions, research approaches or project plans around responsible use of AI in healthcare are welcome in our debates, panels, keynotes, multidisciplinary roundtable discussions and start-up pitches.

This first event brings together international representatives of academia, business and industry focusing on developing AI responsibly, either from medical, ethical, social science, design, legal and data science perspectives.

Main Topics

Collection and sharing of healthcare data for AI (data projects)
The (value-sensitive) development of AI systems and their fit with work floor demands
Interactions between AI, healthcare professionals, and/or patients
Implementation and operationalization of AI systems
Evaluation and accountability of (socio-technical systems including) AI in healthcare
Governance and regulation for AI in healthcare
