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.
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.
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.
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.
Activities of the Rotterdam Social AI Lab
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 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.
Involved Experts from the ECDA Expert Practices
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Prof Vincent Blok – Professor in Philosophy of Data Science and AI, Erasmus School of Philosophy (Erasmus University Rotterdam)
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Prof. Dr. Gabriele Jacobs – Professor of Organisational Behaviour and Culture (ESSB), Principal Investigator AI-MAPS
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Prof. Dr. Evert Stamhuis – Chair Law & Innovation (ESL), Senior Fellow at Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence on Digital Governance
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Prof. Dr. Marc Schuilenberg – Professor of Digital Surveillance at Erasmus School of Law, with a current focus on the integration of AI and algorithms in public safety
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Dr Rebecca Moody – assistant professor ESSB – principal investigator DE-CIST
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Dr Otto Koppius – AI lead within AI@EUR team, Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University
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Dr. Els van de Kar – Executive Fellow Business Information Management; – Service System Engineer. (RSM)
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Dr. Joëlle van der Meer, Assistant Professor at the department of Public Administration and Sociology at Erasmus University Rotterdam, member of GovLab010
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Prof. Arwin van Buuren – Full Professor of Public Administration (ESSB), Academic Director of the Erasmus Governance Design Studio and Academic Director of GovLab010
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Frederike Manders Immersive Experience Lab ECDA
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Marie Kegeleers – Immersive Experience Lab ECDA
More Information
Dr. Marcel van Oosterhout
Executive DirectorGefocust op digitalisering, AI en immersieve technologie voor maatschappelijke vraagstukken; meer dan 25 jaar ervaring in projectmanagement
Emma de Mooij
Project Manager Engagement & Research Services
Partners
