During AI in de Stad, researchers, entrepreneurs, designers, policymakers and residents share ideas and applications from Breda, the Netherlands and the rest of Europe.

It is the third edition of AI in de Stad and the first with a distinctly international character. On Wednesday, workshops are on the programme at Hotel Nassau; Thursday is the conference day at the Chassé Theater, and on Friday participants will go on an excursion. Here are six highlights to look forward to.

How do we ensure AI genuinely adds value to the city? During Talk of the Town, technophilosopher and Breda native Rens van der Vorst will discuss this with the audience.

Drawing on his book “Don’t mention the VAR”, he shows what happens when we try to solve a problem with technology too quickly. An evening filled with humour and food for thought.

Thursday 24 September at 8.00 pm at De Avenue. You need to register separately for this evening.

During four AI walks, the city becomes part of the programme. Along the way, participants explore what local AI means for privacy, energy use and control over data. 

For example, David Yewdineh from KPN examines what data we collect in public spaces and how carefully we should handle it. The other walks focus on local infrastructure, energy saving and the connection to the energy grid. 

Thursday at 12.00 and 13.45 in Breda. 

The conference day does not end with simply talking things over. During The Great AI in the City Vibe Coding Experiment participants will get hands-on themselves. 

Working in small groups, you will come up with and build an AI solution for a challenge from the city. No programming experience is needed: curiosity, an idea and a laptop are enough. 

Thursday from 2.45 pm in the foyer of the Chassé Theater. 

Where is there room for housing? What can the electricity grid handle? And how do you take water, nature and other interests into account? 

Tanya Baycheva-Merger from ICLEI Europe and Maite Sellart from CIMNE show how you can connect different types of spatial information with AI. During the workshop, participants will work with concrete urban challenges themselves. 

Thursday from 12.00 noon on the Entresol of the Chassé Theater. 

Could local tech be Europe’s answer to big tech? Small, powerful solutions that work well together because they are interoperable. During the international workshop day on Wednesday, participants will consider what is needed to make this happen.

On Thursday, Jan-Willem Wesselink (ELBA\REC) will discuss the outcomes with Bob van der Graft (Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations), Kristy Tong (EIT Urban Mobility), Lotte Schipper (Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations) and Hayo Schreijer (DMI ecosystem).

Thursday from 11.05 am on the main stage at Chassé Theater.

What if a city didn’t wait for a resident to fill in a form, but started the conversation itself at just the right moment? 

Professor Jordi Linares from the Polytechnic University of Valencia will outline during his international keynote how a city’s digital assistant can communicate with those of its residents. He will discuss the opportunities for public services and urban planning, as well as the risks. 

Thursday from 11.20 am on the main stage at the Chassé Theater. 

AI in the City is for professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs and policymakers working on the city of tomorrow. Bredanaars who want to understand what AI means for their city and join the conversation are also very welcome. 

With more than 30 sessions and 50 speakers, there is plenty more to discover. View the full programme and available tickets at indestad.ai.