Hans Akkermans

Software Engineering after AI

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1 September 2026, A presentation plus panel discussion, entitled Software Engineering after AI  was a remote/hybrid invited kick-off talk by Prof. Carlo Ghezzi (Politecnico di Milano, Italy), followed by an (onsite) panel discussion. Due to internet connectivity issues (not fully unexpected for those with some familiarity with the Digital Divide), we enacted Plan B, whereby Prof. Hannes Werthner (TU Wien, Austria) presented Carlo’s slides onsite.  In his talk, Carlo Ghezzi argued that software is the crucial technological component of our society today. The current … Read more

How do platform companies earn their money?

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How do digital platform companies earn their money? That is the central question that Nedo Bartels, researcher at EURIDICE partner Fraunhofer-IESE, investigates in his PhD thesis. To this end, Nedo has developed a taxonomy that conceptualizes in a structured fashion the various important dimensions and characteristics of platform revenue models. Nedo’s taxonomy is based on a comprehensive analysis of the existing scientific literature. In addition, the validity of the taxonomy was evaluated through a controlled … Read more

ICT4D: Digital Transformation and Global Development

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Digital transformation does not unfold equally across the world. This week in DIGISOC a course will start, that explores how ICT and AI can be designed responsibly and effectively for resource-constrained communities, with a strong focus on the Global South and the realities of the Digital Divide. Students will examine how digital technologies can contribute to social good in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — from reducing inequalities to improving health, … Read more

Blog: Steps towards Digital Autonomy

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How do we move towards a more inclusive and sustainable city where the technology we adopt is under our own collective control? What is needed to make progress on that journey and what is the role of academia, governments, societal organisations and private companies? These were the guiding questions for an event that Waag Futurelab organised in collaboration with the VU in the iconic 1691 Waag building in the city centre of Amsterdam on 29 January … Read more

Publication:“Between Parliament, Newspapers, and Social Media”

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On 11 February 2026, the Netherlands State Commission against Discrimination and Racism has published an important new study, “Between Parliament, Newspapers, and Social Media”. It shows that statements made by politicians about population groups, reports in national newspapers, and responses from social-media users can influence and reinforce each other. Statements by politicians, such as speeches and interruptions, have a particularly stimulating effect: when they speak more frequently, more negatively, or in a discriminatory manner about … Read more

Event: Critical Digital Technologies and Future Strategic EU Investments

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The direction of post-2027 strategic investments in Research & Innovation of Critical Digital Technologies (such as AI) was the central topic of an EU expert advisory workshop in Brussels, organized on 05 February 2026 by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Communication Networks, Content and Technology (DG CNECT). Anna Bon and Hans Akkermans, from the EURIDICE project, were invited to participate as experts. Anna Bon emphasized the strategic importance of a human-centric approach, visible in strong end-user … Read more

New course: Generative AI in research, innovation and education

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The quick emergence of Generative Artificial Intelligence in all sectors of the economy as well as daily life poses new challenges for Society. In the past period a group of EURIDICE partners have been involved in co-designing and lecturing courses in Generative AI covering a wide interdisciplinary range of topics, and addressing some pressing questions such as: Technical practice: how does one practically usefully employ LLM systems (good “prompt engineering” to obtain results you want; … Read more

Blog: Pope Leo speaks about Digital Humanism, AI and Education

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Pope Leo XIV recently made several important statements on AI, digital technologies and the future of information and communication. Pope Leo is calling for a “new humanism in the digital era”, according to reports in the Corriere della Sera and the Vatican News, 6-8 November 2025. This “Digital Humanism” stresses the relationship between ethics and artificial intelligence and communication at the service of people; “the sensible future of AI lies in rules and limits”. “We … Read more

Student cultural event

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EURIDICE’s dissemination and ecosystem expanded in the cultural domain targeting students and youth. On February 26th, 27th, and 28th, 2025, the small local theater Insblau in the historic city of Leiden, the Netherlands, hosted a spectacular musical performed by 40 students from the MFLS (Medische Faculteit der Leidse Studenten) medical student association at Leiden University. The musical production was directed by Leeuw van Moerkerken, who had been training and mentoring the students weekly, since February … Read more