But, what does this taskforce exactly do? What exactly does it look like and what steps have they already taken?

1. A network of diverse disciplines
The composition of this taskforce can be seen as a puzzle, in which experts from diverse disciplines come together and make use of each other’s specialties: from the natural sciences to philosophy, and from law to educational sciences. In their roles as advisors to the rectors, taskforce members collectively aim for a coordinated approach within the university educational landscape in the field of AI and policy.

Each member approaches issues from their unique perspective. For example, Dr. Marjolein Lanzing, specializing in philosophy of technology, focuses not only on the practical aspects of AI but also sheds light on the human dimension of artificial intelligence. Dr. Ilja Cornelisz approaches issues from his field of educational sciences. In the taskforce, Prof. Dr. Felienne Hermans operates as a professor of Didactics of Computer Science at the intersection of technology and education, exploring how students can learn about AI and the digital world.

2. Action-oriented working groups
Within the taskforce, two working groups are also active: the VU working group and UvA working group. Each with its own focus and composition, they support the taskforce. Led by Luuk Terbeek (educational advisor AI & Blended learning) as a connecting factor, both university working groups exchange current challenges and best practices.

3. Transparent to the outside world
The principle is that VU Amsterdam and UvA communicate clear policies and positions regarding generative AI in education, both internally and externally. Policies and positions adapt to developments and are regularly and timely communicated and published in a place accessible to everyone involved in the institutions’ education (and research), as well as beyond