Austrian Delegation visits Data School on Responsible AI Practices

Last week, a delegation of high-ranking Austrian civil servants visited Utrecht University and various public management organizations across the Netherlands. The visit aimed to gain insights into the Dutch approach to responsible AI governance, as highlighted by the Netherlands’ top ranking in the 2024 Responsible AI Index.

In recent years, Data School has supported Austrian civil servants with training on responsible AI governance, focusing on practical applications for the public sector. As part of this ongoing collaboration, the Austrian School of Government & Data School organised a study visit for top civil servants to experience firsthand the Dutch ecosystem of higher education, research, and public management. This visit showcased the Dutch commitment to developing responsible AI practices and fostering good governance.

The delegation’s agenda included presentations from UU scholars such as prof. dr. Albert Meijer and dr. Mirko Tobias Schäfer, as well as meetings with researchers at the AI Lab for Public Services and the Politielab. Additionally, participants visited key institutions like the Dutch Data Protection Authority, and the Ministry of Finance in The Hague and Dutch Customs at Rotterdam Harbour to explore both the use of AI systems and its oversight and governance in real-world settings.

As a significant milestone, the Director of the Austrian School of Government, Ursula Rosenbichler, and the Dean of Humanities prof. dr. Thomas Vaessens, signed a Memorandum of Intent to strengthen future collaboration. This agreement will support joint initiatives in curriculum development and research projects, aiming to advance responsible AI and data governance in both countries.