< Back to news 
.jpg?version=7102&width=640)
September 17
Rethinking AI Curricula: Ethics Must Play a Bigger Role, Says UvA Lecturer
Current AI education is too narrowly focused on technology and programming, warns Frank Wildenburg, a lecturer in artificial intelligence at the University of Amsterdam. In a recent opinion piece, he argues that the dominant curriculum instills a worldview of technological determinism—the belief that technological progress is inevitable and society must simply adapt.
Wildenburg points out that students are first taught technical skills like programming and mathematical theory, without being equipped to critically assess the assumptions behind these models. Ethics and societal impact, if addressed at all, often appear late in the program as isolated or theoretical side courses. As a result, students may graduate thinking the development of AI is a purely technical challenge, with ethical concerns left for others to solve.
He calls for a more balanced curriculum that integrates ethical reflection and social responsibility from the start. “Programming at Google shouldn’t be seen as the only valid outcome of an AI degree,” Wildenburg notes. “Policymaking, ethics, or legal work around AI deserve just as much respect.”
By shifting the framing of AI education, universities can help future professionals develop a broader sense of responsibility and ensure that society, not just industry, shapes how AI evolves.
Vergelijkbaar >
Similar news items
June 17
Strengthen Your Innovation with AiNed InnovationLab Round 2. Open Call!
The second round of the AiNed InnovationLabs is about to open, presenting an exciting opportunity for organisations across the Netherlands to accelerate AI innovation with financial support, expert guidance, and a strong collaborative network.
read more >
September 17
Rethinking AI Curricula: Ethics Must Play a Bigger Role, Says UvA Lecturer
Current AI education is too narrowly focused on technology and programming, warns Frank Wildenburg, a lecturer in artificial intelligence at the University of Amsterdam. In a recent opinion piece, he argues that the dominant curriculum instills a worldview of technological determinism—the belief that technological progress is inevitable and society must simply adapt.
read more >
September 17
Dancing with AI on Nemo’s Rooftop
On the brand-new rooftop terrace of Amsterdam’s NEMO Science Museum, an early morning rave turned into a live experiment in human-AI interaction. As part of a week-long rooftop festival celebrating the new space, dozens of visitors gathered at dawn not just to dance, but to help steer the music itself using artificial intelligence.
read more >