Data and Artificial Intelligence

Building a better future with responsible data & AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) gives computers and machines the ability to mimic human intelligence. It comes from scientific discoveries, increasingly powerful computers and an abundance of data. Since 2010, AI is no longer just of science, but has penetrated everyday life. This is reflected in the five types of AI:

  • Machine learning: creating predictive analytics, e.g. for personalising content and generative AI using large language models.
  • Computer vision: perceiving and processing images, e.g. for face recognition or self-driving cars.
  • Natural language processing: understanding and generating language, such as chatbots or machine translation.
  • Speech recognition: recognising spoken language, think speech assistants.
  • Robotics: combining AI with physical actions, such as robots that move goods.

The technology is widely applicable and is seen as an engine for future economic growth. It allows us to improve healthcare, predict crime and optimise public transport, for example. At the same time, we want to protect our public values. The government faces the challenge of both stimulating innovation and ensuring that AI is used fairly, safely and responsibly.

Our articles on Data and AI

Our AI Labs

In the AI Labs, Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht work together with governments, businesses and civil society organisations on practical AI solutions. Researchers are active in both science and practice, enabling innovations to find their way into society faster.

  • AI Lab for Public Services

    Smart search engine helps municipality of Utrecht.

  • AI & Animal Welfare Lab

    Analyzing eighteen thousand chicken videos.

  • National Police AI Lab

    AI tool helps citizens file a complete declaration.

Innovation in AI & Law

“Police and judiciary should take the lead in AI. Together with universities, they can contribute to the development and regulation of AI using European values and fundamental rights.”

Read the entire interview

Prof. dr. Floris Bex
Prof. dr. Floris Bex

Feel free to explore these tools:

  • AS Review, an open-source machine learning tool developed by Utrecht University for the systematic labelling of a large collection of text data
  • DEDA, ethical data assistant - developed by Utrecht University and the municipality of Utrecht - helps you recognise ethical problems in data projects
  • IAMA, the impact assessment human rights and algorithms is the job interview for AI: is it right for your tasks?

Our AI-research

  • Unravelling the black box AI

    While AI can make our lives safer, easier and more efficient, it also raises questions. Can we entrust such systems with our lives or let them make decisions? If mistakes are made, who can be held accountable? And how do we ensure that AI does not reinforce prejudice or forms of discrimination?

  • Twenty years of AI research at Beta Sciences

    Mehdi Dastai is a professor of artificial intelligence. He has been researching the subject at the Faculty of Science for 20 years. In those early days, it was still an abstract science. Now AI is in the capillaries of the university and society.

Our AI education

  • Programmes

    Check out our courses and workshops on data science and artificial intelligence. Around 20 of these are taught at the Utrecht Summer School.

  • Incompany

    We offer you various incompany programmes in the field of data science an artificial intelligence. We are happy to think along with you and can offer your organisation tailor-made solutions.

More information?

Do you have questions or would you like to explore with us the possibilities for customised courses or collaborations? Contact Dr Laurence Frank, coordinator of our education for data science and AI professionals.