Projects

AI4Students

Over the next three years (starting in 2022), we want to use the AI4Students project to prepare students of AUAS courses for a future in which Artificial Intelligence (AI) will play an increasingly important role. We want them to be "AI-ready". In addition to a general introduction to AI, students gain subject-specific knowledge relevant to their field of study.

Every year, three study programmes within the project are tackled. In 2022, these were Communication and Multimedia Design (CMD), Commercial Economics and Built Environment. In 2023, we collaborate with Occupational Therapy and the master's programmes of the Faculty of Education.

The content may differ per course. Sometimes, it is appropriate to deal with other themes in certain courses, but it may also mean that we will develop a new course or will connect a minor to the course. In fact, we want to make an AI impact scan for each course. In what way is Artificial Intelligence going to influence the field? What does it mean for what professionals have to be able to do, and what does it mean for the programme itself?

Teach the Teacher

Developments in AI and Data Science are rapid, and the applications influence all professions and sectors - to a greater or lesser extent - for which the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences provides training. In order to send students into the field 'AI-ready', it is important that lecturers also train themselves in the technology. Therefore, together with the Centre for Market Insights and the Centre for Financial Innovation we have developed a teacher training. Teachers learn more about the responsible applications of AI in their field of work and can thus transfer this knowledge to their students.

Teachers get a broad, interactive introduction to AI. First of all, they learn in general what AI is, what it certainly is not and how you can apply the technology in daily practice or the work field. In addition, they learn to look critically at the ethical side of AI. The technology can lead to results that we don't want at all, such as bias. The training consists of an e-learning course and workshop. The teachers learn to apply the knowledge they have gained in practice. In groups, they work out a hypothetical use case. Afterwards, there is a joint brainstorming session about the place of AI in the curriculum.

SME Digitalisation Offensive

In the Greater Amsterdam Area, together with partners, we launched the SME Digitalisation Offensive. This project contributes to the knowledge and skills of entrepreneurs in the field of opportunities (use of data, online marketing, sales and automation), risks (safe entrepreneurship) and the use of digital tools.With the digitisation offensive, we want to reach at least 30,000 SMEs in Amsterdam to make them aware of the opportunities and possibilities of digitisation. A minimum of 750 companies will be offered a self-scan, after which they will be referred to various online training courses in the field of digitisation and data analysis, in line with the maturity level of the company. Via an online platform, SMEs are linked to SMEs that are already innovating and can share knowledge. Intensive training programmes and coaching are available for SMEs that want to work intensively with digitisation. From our Centre of Expertise, the lab that focuses on retail and marketing - the Centre for Market Insights - helps SMEs with the first steps of digitisation (including the development of the self-scan and online training).

Besides AUAS, the consortium for the SME Digitalisation Offensive consists of SME Amsterdam and Ready to Scale (led by the THE Startup Network Foundation). The municipality of Amsterdam initiated the deal.

Centre for Responsible Applied AI

Together with the universities of applied sciences of Rotterdam and Utrecht, and partners from the field, we are building an infrastructure for a powerful research group. A group that is regionally and nationally recognised as the centre for practice-based research in the field of Responsible Applied AI. To achieve this, we received a SPRONG grant from Regieorgaan-SIA.

The current AI research is mostly fundamental and focused on technology. The three universities of applied sciences in the SPRONG group carry out practice-oriented research into responsible AI solutions for companies and institutions. With these research experiences and results, the SPRONG group aims to develop a Responsible Applied AI methodology that helps to design, create and implement responsible AI solutions. This methodology requires knowledge building and sharing that the universities of applied sciences develop together with companies and organisations. The starting point of the project is the development of three hybrid learning environments around the application areas of retail, business services and media.