The Social AI Lab in Rotterdam officially opened on Tuesday November 25th, 2025. This new lab is an open and creative workspace where residents, researchers, designers, students, and policymakers collaborate on fair, understandable, and accessible applications of artificial intelligence (AI).
The lab is an initiative of the municipality of Rotterdam in collaboration with Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) and its Erasmus Centre for Data Analytics, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences (HR), and Techniek College Rotterdam (TCR). The opening took place during Digital Participation Week, with a celebratory launch by Alderman Faouzi Achbar (Wellbeing, Coexistence, Sports, and Digital Inclusion), followed by a panel discussion, a lecture by Prof. Dr. Moniek Buijzen, and several interactive workshops on responsible AI use.
A lab for and with the city
The Social AI Lab focuses on collaborative research, development, and evaluation of AI applications that contribute to societal challenges in healthcare, welfare, education, and the city. Residents play an active role in this, including through workshops for all ages, co-creation sessions, and the deployment of a mobile lab cart that travels through Rotterdam neighbourhoods to learn and discover how AI works together. They can also engage in discussions with Digiderius, a 'digital Erasmus' platform that allows Rotterdam residents to discuss societal issues.
Alderman Faouzi Achbar: 'In a city where everyone should be able to participate, technology should never exclude anyone. With the Social AI Lab, we are taking a major step towards fair, safe, and understandable AI for all Rotterdam residents. Here, we develop technology with residents, not for them, so that everyone can contribute, participate, and benefit from digital developments.'
The lab operates based on important societal values ​​such as human dignity, inclusion, transparency, privacy, security, and responsibility to ensure that AI truly helps Rotterdam move forward.
About the AI lab
'As a society, we face the challenge of developing AI that is not only technically robust but, above all, socially responsible. In the Social AI Lab, we bring together science, practice, and residents to create AI that is human, fair, and understandable. By connecting different perspectives, we create technology that truly works for the city.'
Prof. Dr. Moniek Buijzen
Professor of Communication and Change (ESSB)
Digital Inclusion
The Social AI Lab is part of Rotterdam's Digital Inclusion programme and is located in the Hillevliet neighborhood in Rotterdam South. With this programme, the city aims to ensure that all Rotterdam residents can participate safely, skillfully, and fully in the digital society.
- Professor
- Professor
- Professor
- Researcher
- More information
Panel members:
Faouzi Achbar, Marjolijn Antheunis, Erik Boels, Remko Keizerwaard Tomasz Jaskiewicz Joshua van den Ham- Related links
- Societal Impact of AI (AiPact)
Website Sociaal AI Lab
Knowledge and network platform Future Society Lab
AI MAPS
