Seventeen professionals from Veiligheidsregio Amsterdam-Amstelland (VRAA) have completed the in-house program Data- and AI-driven Management in the Public Sector
The program was developed in close collaboration with VRAA and led by Frans Feldberg, Professor of Data- and AI-Driven Business Innovation at the KIN Center for Digital Innovation, and Tom Pots, program manager for data-driven working. It brings together the foundations of data management, change management, responsible use of data and AI, data science techniques, data ecosystems, visual storytelling, and AI literacy, with a strong focus on translating academic knowledge into practice. Through a final project, each participant worked on a concrete challenge within their own organization.
From foundations to practice
Over seven lecture days, participants built up their knowledge step by step. The program started with the foundations of the data domain, including value creation with data and data management, before moving on to the organizational change that data-driven working requires and the legal and ethical frameworks for responsible use of data and AI. Participants then worked with practical tools for launching successful data projects, such as the Data-driven Innovation Canvas and the Design Sprint, and were introduced to artificial intelligence, machine learning, and predictive analytics from a management perspective. Later sessions focused on collaboration in data ecosystems and the use of open data, visual storytelling, and AI literacy, with particular attention to large language models in the public sector. On the final lecture day, participants translated their insights into a personal approach and concrete actions for their own organization.
Lessons from practice
At the closing session, participants presented how they applied the knowledge gained through the final project and shared the lessons they had learned along the way. AI literacy emerged as essential, with participants emphasizing the value of knowing both what AI can and cannot do, and recognizing that choosing not to use AI can also be a valid decision. Following the program together as one organization helped them develop a shared language, which they described as an important condition for success. Participants also stressed the need to think in ecosystems, since no organization can make this transition alone.
Data- and AI-driven Management in the Public Sector (Data- en AI-gedreven Sturing in de Publieke Sector) is also offered as an open program, with the next edition starting in March 2027.