ISS contributes to national project on democratizing AI

Led by Prof. ir. M. Boon (University of Twente), the initiative brings together nearly 50 partners - including all Dutch universities, universities of applied sciences, medical centres, NGOs, municipalities and private-sector organizations. It aims to develop AI systems that are inclusive, transparent and grounded in citizens’ values and lived experiences.

A citizen science approach to complex challenges

AI is increasingly used to support decisions in areas like healthcare, mobility, public services and governance. Yet many citizens remain excluded from how these technologies are developed and used. DECIDE aims to shift this dynamic by co-developing AI tools with citizens in four real-world scenarios: shared healthcare decision-making, sustainable mobility, local democracy and lifestyle choices.

By combining disciplines such as engineering, psychology, medicine, law, philosophy and computer science, the project connects thematic expertise in ethics, education and regulation with practical, citizen-facing applications.

Erasmus University’s contribution: AI and social decision-making

Arul Chib, Professor of Professor of Technology and Development and Associate Professor Vivian Chen (Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication) will co-lead a sub-project on citizen engagement in managing social issues. Their research investigates how AI can support individuals and communities in making informed, responsible decisions on complex societal topics from the energy transition to community well-being.

Grounded in a transparency-by-design framework, the sub-project adopts a bottom-up approach to understand the real-world challenges citizens face in decision-making processes. By co-developing AI tools with users, the team aims to promote citizen participation, strengthen trust and enhance people’s ability to access, interpret and act on accurate information. Their work also addresses broader issues such as exclusion and misinformation, with the goal of fostering socially inclusive and empowering AI systems.

From research to real-world impact

The DECIDE project exemplifies the goals of the NWA-ORC programme: developing long-term, interdisciplinary solutions to pressing societal issues. It links scientific research with practice through close collaboration with citizens, policy actors, and technical experts ensuring AI tools are not only trustworthy but genuinely useful in everyday life.