AI at Erasmus University

Keynote at THIMUN and media interviews

Recently Goda was keynote speaker on AI to 3000 students from all over the world at the opening ceremony of the 57th THIMUN (The Hague International Model United Nations). She explained to the students about AI, a transformative, general-purpose technology: “When used properly, AI makes already existing systems more intelligent. But as with any new technological development, there is also a lot of hype, and we need to be critical about it. Every new technology comes with a mix of excitement, uncertainty and misconceptions. In times of such rapid change with AI, we can ask ourselves: Have we learned anything from the past? And I definitely think we have! We learned that we need to be proactive, and not reactive. We need to incorporate ethics and responsibility into AI. In all of this, we need to also remember that AI is just a tool. It is not inherently good or bad, and the outcomes it produces mirrors the values we put into it. What I suggest to the new generation of students: be morally ambitious; be critical but not cynical; be idealistic but not dogmatic; move fast and be responsible. Your decisions of today will shape the world of tomorrow.” 
Goda also made these points recently in interviews on the national radio and television in Lithuania, her home country.

We asked Goda about the meaning of AI for EUR. 

“EUR is uniquely positioned to study the societal impacts of AI—its effects on people, communities, and social structures. Since our focus isn’t on building the technology but on shaping how it’s used responsibly, we can shape the discussions of AI implications on healthcare, work and policy, amongst other things. As an SSH university, we can facilitate the transition and help the society live well in the era of AI. I personally believe we could take a much larger role in that in the Netherlands, and I plan to work on that.” 

Ethical algorithms and minimum standards are needed

“We need algorithms that are ethical.” Goda refers to Algorithmaudit.eu. This is a European knowledge platform for AI-standards. They give advice on AI to the public and private sector. Goda: ”An actor can or cannot follow ethical guidelines. We rely on the goodwill of people and therefore regulation is important. Then we can ensure accountability and responsibilities. Europe is often first with regulations, called the ‘Brussels effect’. At the same time some people think that regulation slows down innovation. But I am optimistic about this. We have to learn from other examples in the past, for instance from the oil industry. There regulations were needed because of effects on the environment. Or wages for workers: there is a minimum wage but a lot of employers pay more. There need to be minimum standards, also about AI. All new technologies need regulation. 
In the EU there is the AI-Office with a lot of AI-expertise. 
Researchers now also study the impact of AI on work, for example SEISMEC. Good research will have a positive influence. Good things already happen with AI in healthcare diagnostics. Also I believe in science communication to inform citizens about the developments.”

What can EUR do?

 “At EUR, there's many areas we can focus on. For example, we need to educate people about AI and its impact, both internally and externally. We need to make sure we use AI responsibly here at the university. Most importantly, I think, we need to take a role in building a strong responsible AI ecosystem in the Netherlands. It's all about taking our academic know-how and applying it practically, so we can help shape how AI fits into society in a smart and responsible way.” 

In what ways can you support EUR researchers who are working on AI-related topics?

" I can help make your research more impactful beyond just publications. Whether you're looking to collaborate with local government, organise lecture series with private companies, or create spin-offs, I can assist in building consortia, securing funding, and connecting you with academic, governmental, or private partners. I can also help find funding for ongoing projects nearing the end of their current grants. Additionally, I can connect you to opportunities like hosting workshops, creating internships, or finding consulting and contract research possibilities. If you're interested in public speaking, science communication or organising an event, I can help prepare you for that too. Lastly, I can suggest events or initiatives in responsible AI across the Netherlands that align with your work." 

Can you mention some concrete research projects or initiatives related to AI? How does your work relate to what ECDA does?

" I’m new to the role, but already working on some exciting initiatives. For example, I’m helping with NWO funding calls and turning ML research results into a product for the citizens of Rotterdam. I’m also working on connecting various responsible AI initiatives across the Netherlands to create a more coherent ecosystem, and discussing collaborating with Province Zuid Holland on this. Another focus is creating a cohesive AI portfolio at EUR to better tell our story externally. Recent efforts include organizing the Responsible AI Roundtable, which brought together 100 professionals from academia, government, and industry. Additionally, I’m in talks with a private partner about opening an ICAI lab at EUR. There will be a lot of similarities on what ECDA and I do. But differently to them, I work on stronger EUR positioning nationally in terms of AI, which we are lacking - EUR is not perceived as a thought-leader in responsible AI, and I want to achieve that. While ECDA focuses on executive education, my role is specifically about connecting researchers to responsible AI opportunities and partnerships." 

What would you say to an EUR researcher who is unsure whether their work connects to AI?

" If you’re even considering whether your work relates to AI, now is the perfect time to reach out! AI is relevant in surprising ways—especially in SSH fields like sociology, law, or education—where it can help analyse social behaviour, improve policy-making, or even support creative processes. For instance, AI tools can assist with qualitative research by analysing large datasets or generating new insights for hypothesis development. It’s not just about coding; it’s about rethinking how technology intersects with human behaviour and societal challenges. And we have a great strength - our work on Responsible AI, i.e. in terms of ethics, social aspects, law, policy."