Social mission: AI with an eye for public values
The city faces considerable challenges: a housing shortage, an energy transition, climate adaptation, social inequality, and pressure on public services. During the conference, it became clear that AI could help to address these issues, but only if public values such as safety, justice, autonomy, sustainability and local identity are carefully considered. This is in line with the social mission of Smart & Social City: working towards a liveable and just city in which technology contributes to equal opportunities for all Rotterdam residents.
More than a symbolic signature
On 18 September 2025, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences signed the City Deal on AI at the second 'AI in the City' conference in Breda. Under the motto 'AI in the City: we can act together', the conference brought together researchers, policymakers, businesses and social organisations to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can improve the liveability of cities and towns.
Signing the City Deal is more than a symbolic gesture; it highlights Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences' commitment as a knowledge institution to promoting the responsible use of AI. We leverage our expertise in applied research and education to collaborate with partners in addressing urban challenges.
Knowledge sharing and development
An important foundation for this lies with RC Creating010. Researchers, lecturers and students from various research groups are working on methodologies for responsible algorithm use, participatory design, and ways to involve residents in technological innovations.
The research groups involved include the following:
- Artificial Intelligence & Society (Maaike Harbers) explores how AI systems can be designed in an ethical, fair, and gender-conscious manner, and the implications this has for issues such as equal access, bias, transparency, and security.
- Civic Prototyping (Tomasz Jaskiewicz) focuses on methods and tools that enable residents to co-design technological applications for the city, rather than just using them.
- Communication in the Networked Society (Lotte Willemsen): This project investigates how society — and the people and organisations that comprise it — can embrace digitalisation while retaining the human dimension, and the role of communication in this process.
Working together on a Smart & Social City
The signing of the City Deal represents a significant next step following the joint collaboration agreement signed by Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences as a knowledge partner with various partners to set up a Social AI Lab.
This firmly establishes Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences as a partner in the responsible development and application of AI. After all, AI is not just about smart technology; it is also about social progress. By combining education, research and collaboration, we help create a fairer, more inclusive and forward-looking city.
Would you like to know more about the City Deal on AI and the partners involved? You can find more information on this website.