Join us on November 27 at NEMO Science Museum for the very first Amsterdam AI Impact Festival and discover how AI is transforming our society and how we can shape its impact together!
Our resident expert on societal impact, Erik van Zwol, will speak with Jeroen Wiegertjes, Head of Science Communication at NEMO, and Ruben Polderman, Innovation and Digitalisation Specialist at the Municipality of Amsterdam. They will discuss how to engage the general public in conversations around AI, and how the municipality has incorporated residents’ voices into its AI agenda. Afterwards, the Amsterdam AI Public Engagement Fellows will share their insights from facilitating discussions in public spaces.
A panel of experts will focus on how to create meaningful impact in AI literacy, accessibility, representation, and inclusivity. They will discuss how impact is generated and who should be the driving force behind it. The panelists will be Iffat Rose Gill, founder of The Code to Change; Marysia Winkels, AI Safety Engineer at Gray Swan AI and member of the AI for Impact Collective; and Monique Steijns, human rights expert and founder of The People’s AI Gency. The panel will be moderated by Samir Khan, part of the Public Engagement Fellows Network.
To conclude the plenary programme, we will hear from students and the impact they are making during the Amsterdam AI Thesis Awards.
Throughout the festival, partners such as the AI for Impact Collective, AISO, and the Public Engagement Fellows will bring the space to life with lively dialogues, pop-up stands, and interactive experiences showcasing real-world examples of impact.
Erik van Zwol is a strategic communications specialist at Amsterdam AI. With a broad background in science communication and public engagement, he leads the Amsterdam AI project The AI Society. He also heads the Amsterdam AI Public Engagement Fellows Network.
Ruben Polderman is an Innovator in Digitalisation and Innovation at the Municipality of Amsterdam. He brings years of experience in public policy, combined with a forward-looking perspective on government, participation, and societal innovation. His expertise includes smart mobility, data, scenario planning, strategy, and organisational development, and he is known for translating complex challenges into clarity and actionable direction.
Iffat Rose Gill is an award-winning social innovator, digital strategist, and global leader dedicated to advancing digital inclusion for women. She has extensive experience developing programmes and initiatives that drive economic empowerment for underrepresented groups, including youth and women. With a strong focus on upskilling and reskilling, she responds to the evolving needs of the digital economy.
Marysia Winkels is an experienced machine learning engineer and researcher with a BSc and MSc in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Amsterdam. As a member of the AI for Impact Collective, she works to make AI accessible to organisations with high societal impact.
Monique Steijns is the founder of The People’s AIgency and the initiator of CONNECTME@Human Rights & Technology. Steijns is a legal expert on the impact of technology on human rights and communities in society. She advises organizations on how to develop compliance strategies that integrate responsible and representative decision-making into digital innovation. Previously, she worked as a researcher at the Scientific Council for Government Policy (WRR), where she specialized in artificial intelligence and public values.
Samir Khan is part of the Amsterdam AI Public Engagement Fellows Network and the founder of Casual Retreat and a Leadership Development Specialist at alx_africa. He observes how AI is transforming the world and the human experience, and his mission is to ensure we use this moment not only to adapt, but to grow.
AI for Impact Collective leverages AI to create real societal impact by connecting mission-driven professionals with impactful organisations. They work safely, scalably, and with respect for privacy, ensuring that technology remains accessible for organisations striving to make a difference. All profits are invested into an impact fund to keep AI affordable for nonprofits and social initiatives.
AISO is one of Amsterdam’s fastest-growing student organisations. Every student interested in AI is welcome, regardless of level or field of study. AISO is a diverse community of students from across Amsterdam seeking inspiration, practical AI experience, and technical excellence.
The Amsterdam AI Public Engagement Fellows welcome everyone who wants to engage in conversations about the societal impact of AI. Beyond the usual circles, in real dialogue. They foster equal, meaningful exchanges between science and society.
More on the agenda
