In a world where data is the new gold, artificial intelligence (AI) is the alchemist turning it into valuable insights. Digitalisation is the catalyst that makes it all possible. AI, data and digitalisation are shaping the future of our society, from healthcare to finance and beyond. With over 350 researchers from various disciplines, an AI flagship centre, AI initiatives, AI research programmes and business development activities, this article seeks to explain how Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is at the forefront of cutting-edge research and research support in these fields.
ECDA, AiPact, Convergence AI, Data and Digitalisation
If you’ve heard of Erasmus Centre for Data Analytics (ECDA), Societal Impact of AI (AiPact) and Convergence AI, Data and Digitalisation (Convergence AI) and wondered what they are, and how they overlap, you’re not alone. Here we will briefly take a look at what each of them does individually, how they work together, and how they differ.
ECDA
ECDA is an EUR flagship centre that enables and facilitates both (applied) research, innovative projects, and (active) learning in the domain of AI, Digitalisation and Data. It focuses on developing and applying data analytics methods to solve real-world problems. ECDA was originally founded to organise and support data sciences and AI researchers from all faculties at EUR, including Erasmus MC and connect them with external partners to address societal challenges. Close to 30 so-called Expert Practices with over 350 academics are gathered under the umbrella of ECDA.
ECDA enjoys a broad network of both national and international partners from the private and public sector, tech companies, startups, knowledge and cultural institutions and diverse EUR centers and student organizations.
By acting like a connector and facilitator, ECDA ignites new research, valorisation and innovation projects by connecting EUR researchers with external partners. Finally, ECDA supports researchers by developing and organizing communication formats and events that connect academics to the outside world in complementary ways to the established academic routes. ECDA also represents EUR in the Convergence of universities.
Click here to read an interview with Marcel van Oosterhout, Deputy Executive Director of ECDA.
AiPact
AiPact is an EUR Strategic Initiative which aims to bring together researchers, industry partners, and policymakers to advance AI development and address ethical and societal implications. AiPact is embedded in ECDA and part of the ECDA community specifically focused on researching the societal impact of AI. AiPact is building structural collaborations with Erasmus MC, TU Delft and the city of Rotterdam, for example, by linking to the initiatives Centre for Bold Cities, Cultuurcampus Rotterdam, Resilient Delta, Healthy Start, and Convergence for Health and Technology.
Click here to read an interview with Yanick Kuper, Director of Operations of AiPact.
Convergence AI, Data and Digitalisation
Convergence AI, Data and Digitalisation is a joint research program between EUR, TU Delft and Leiden University that focuses on interdisciplinary AI research in various domains. It brings together researchers from different fields, such as social sciences, humanities, and engineering, to work on projects that have practical implications for society.
Click here to read an interview with Gerrit Schipper, Quartermaster of Convergence AI.
Business Development AI
In addition to the above, EUR researchers who need help connecting with societal partners and stakeholders can count on support from Business Developers, like Parul Benien, from Erasmus Research Services.
Click here to read an interview with Parul Benien, AI Business Developer, Erasmus Research Services.