AI Lab voor de Publieke Diensten krijgt ICAI-status
The AI Lab for Public Services has joined the national partnership ICAI. This makes it even easier to collaborate with other AI Labs that work with government organisations.
The AI Lab for Public Services is one of the Utrecht AI Labs and has been active since 2022. It connects researchers from Utrecht University and partner knowledge institutions such as Hogeschool Utrecht and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam with government organisations. Together, they work on developing effective and responsible solutions to AI-related challenges.
“There are major opportunities to improve public service delivery with AI, for example by gaining better insight into processes and information management,” says Iris Beerepoot, coordinator of the AI Lab for Public Services. “At the same time, the bar is even higher here than in other domains: solutions must be reliable, explainable, and aligned with public values such as privacy and equal treatment.”
Three pillars
The AI Lab for Public Services operates along three core pillars. Iris Beerepoot (Utrecht University) coordinates the Lab and leads the Process Optimisation pillar. Guido Ongena (Hogeschool Utrecht) leads the Information Management pillar, and Mirko Schäfer (Data School/Utrecht University) heads the Responsible AI pillar. The lab’s PhD candidates conduct research within various government organisations, including the Belastingdienst, ministries, and Logius. Research topics range from developing AI for an Open Government to strengthening parliamentary oversight of algorithmic decision-making.
Through collaboration with other ICAI Labs conducting research within government organisations, knowledge exchange can be significantly accelerated, Beerepoot explains. “The ICAI network makes collaboration more efficient: we can connect faster, pool knowledge, and reuse what has already been developed. This allows government organisations to more quickly find the right place within the network, where the relevant expertise for their specific challenge is available.”
“Thanks to the ICAI network, we can connect faster, pool knowledge, and reuse what has already been developed.” – Iris Beerepoot
ICAI is a national partnership between knowledge institutions, companies, and government bodies, focused on AI innovation and talent development. By connecting researchers, businesses, and public organisations across the Netherlands, ICAI aims to structurally strengthen the country’s international position as a frontrunner in responsible, human-centred AI. More than fifty labs are currently active within ICAI, across a wide range of domains.