Fifteenth AI Lab for Utrecht University

Utrecht University has launched its fifteenth AI Lab. In this lab, named AI4Oversight, researchers are developing reliable and responsible AI-driven methods and applications to support government inspectors.

It is a collaboration between the university and various entities, including the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT), Netherlands Labour Authority, Inspectorate of Education, Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, Leiden University, and TNO. All parties were present yesterday at the Museum for Sound & Vision in The Hague to sign the collaboration agreement.

Digital colleague
Inspection services face challenges, such as the large number of companies or institutions they need to oversee and the complexity of the information they must evaluate to determine compliance with regulations. Jasper van Vliet, one of the scientific leads of the lab, explains, "With the use of AI, inspectors gain a digital colleague with a formidable memory, who is tireless and consistent, and who advises inspectors on where they can have the most impact."

"The power of AI algorithms is particularly evident in handling large and complex datasets, while humans excel in dealing with specific cases and contextualizing information," adds Cor Veenman, who is also a scientific lead of the new lab. "By fostering closer collaboration between human inspectors and AI systems, you create a highly effective team."

A Range of Opportunities
This collaboration offers promising opportunities for the university, according to Thomas Dohmen, director of the AI Labs. "The accessible and diverse case studies from the lab's partners provide a wide range of research opportunities. We see it as our collective responsibility to develop practical and usable methods that advance inspections in everyday practice. We also offer talented graduates the opportunity to delve into this theme through a PhD programme."

Participants in the new Lab will not only share knowledge and expertise but also conduct joint experiments to test new approaches. The focus is mainly on the interaction between inspectors and AI applications, as this is a crucial success factor for developing responsible, fair, just, and understandable AI. Additionally, the inspector can play an essential role in the learning process of the algorithms.

The AI4OversightLab is a part of the Innovation Center for Artificial Intelligence (ICAI). ICAI is a national network focused on technology and talent development involving academic institutions, industry, and government in the field of artificial intelligence. This lab represents the fiftieth ICAI Lab, joining other ICAI Labs such as the National Police Lab AI and the AI & Mobility Lab.