Fundamental AI research with societal impact

Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI)

CWI is the national research institute for mathematics and computer science in the Netherlands. We conduct pioneering research in these fields and translate our findings into practical applications for society and industry. One of our most well-known breakthroughs was the development of the Python programming language in the 1990s. Today, Python is one of the most widely used programming languages in the world, particularly for AI applications.

With our knowledge and technology, we aim to make AI reliable, sustainable, and fair. We connect fundamental research to real-world applications that matter to society — from energy-efficient neural networks to AI methods that better protect sensitive data.

Examples of CWI research

We develop AI systems that learn like the human brain but consume far less energy than current systems. We combine data, algorithms, and game theory to support better decision-making in complex environments. We also design methods to make algorithms fairer and more transparent, ensuring they do not reproduce unwanted biases. Finally, as of November 2025, CWI director Vanessa Evers has been appointed Chief Science Advisor at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW), where she will advise policymakers with a focus on the impact of AI on the education, research, culture, and media sectors.

AI partnerships

CWI heeft verschillende partners op het gebied van AI. In samenwerking met Amsterdam UMC en LUMC werken we aan AI die radiotherapie voor kankerbehandeling nauwkeuriger en veiliger maakt. Samen met de Universiteit van Amsterdam en de Hogeschool van Amsterdam hebben we in het AI, Media & Democracy Lab (AIMD) opgericht om te werken aan mensgerichte, ethische en democratisch verantwoorde oplossingen.

Als partner van Amsterdam AI versterken we het regionale AI-ecosysteem. Samen zorgen we ervoor dat wetenschappelijke doorbraken direct bijdragen aan oplossingen waar de samenleving en de economie echt iets aan hebben.
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