BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam//NONSGML v1.0//EN NAME:KINTalk: Can AI be ethical in practice—not just on paper? METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART:20260212T171500 DTEND:20260112T190000 DTSTAMP:20260212T171500 UID:kintalk-can-ai-be-ethical-in-p@8F96275E-9F55-4B3F-A143-836282E12573 CREATED:20260924T210542 LOCATION:VU Main building, 1105, HG-3C-03, De Boelelaan, 1081 HV, Amsterdam SUMMARY:KINTalk: Can AI be ethical in practice—not just on paper? X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

“AI ethics” is d iscussed everywhere. The harder question is how you translate princip les into day-to-day decisions, model governance, and fair outcomes, e specially in critical infrastructure.

Tim Vermeulen, Director of Digital Strategy & Architecture at A lliander (Liander), a grid operator that distributes electricity and gas to millions of customers in the Netherlands, will talk about the evolution of AI and the ethical safeguards needed to manage the Dutch power grid responsibly. He will unpack the journey of a lgorithmic bias, from early origins to what it means in prod uction today, through concrete examples from Liander’s operations:< /p>

Efficiency versus fairness: Liander currently has more t han 60 AI models in production. One model fully assesses 1-to-3 phase connections using AI, reducing the need for physical home visits. Ho w can we ensure that such decisions remain fair and explainable?
Strategic asset management: When an AI model recommends where t o lay cables, how do we prevent it from systematically prioritizing n eighborhoods with higher existing EV adoption?
The human el ement: Where should boundaries be drawn when it comes to monitoring a nd supporting employees?

To address these complex questio ns, Liander has established a dedicated Ethics Board . Tim will share insights into what it takes to make such a board eff ective in practice.

Every KINTalk is a valuable moment where academics and practitioners meet, great opportunity to c onnect with others and build professional relationships.The talk will conclude with a networking session — a chance to exchange ideas, s hare experiences, and explore potential collaborations over drinks an d snacks.

This session is particularly relevant for pro fessionals working in AI, governance, compliance, or infrastructure. Register for the KINTalk by Febr uary 9th to secure your spot.

DESCRIPTION: “AI ethics” is discussed everywhere. The harder quest ion is how you translate principles into day-to-day decisions, model governance, and fair outcomes, especially in critical infrastructure. Tim Vermeulen, Director of Digital Strategy &a mp; Architecture at Alliander (Liander), a grid operator that distrib utes electricity and gas to millions of customers in the Netherlands, will talk about the evolution of AI and the ethical safeguards neede d to manage the Dutch power grid responsibly. He will unpack the jour ney of algorithmic bias, from early origins to what it means in production today, through concrete examples from Lia nder’s operations:

Efficiency versus fairness: Liander cur rently has more than 60 AI models in production. One model fully asse sses 1-to-3 phase connections using AI, reducing the need for physica l home visits. How can we ensure that such decisions remain fair and explainable?
Strategic asset management: When an AI model r ecommends where to lay cables, how do we prevent it from systematical ly prioritizing neighborhoods with higher existing EV adoption?
The human element: Where should boundaries be drawn when it come s to monitoring and supporting employees?

To address these c omplex questions, Liander has established a dedicated Ethics Board. Tim will share insights into what it takes to make su ch a board effective in practice.Every KINTalk is a va luable moment where academics and practitioners meet, great opportuni ty to connect with others and build professional relationships.The ta lk will conclude with a networking session — a chance to exchange i deas, share experiences, and explore potential collaborations over dr inks and snacks.This session is particularly relevant for pro fessionals working in AI, governance, compliance, or infrastructure. Register for the KINTalk by Febr uary 9th to secure your spot. END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR