The DECIDE project (Democratising AI, Empowering Citizens through Transparent Decision Making) has received €7 million in funding from NWO under the Dutch National Science Agenda (NWA-ORC). Coordinated by prof. dr. ir. Mieke Boon from the University of Twente, DECIDE explores how artificial intelligence can be developed and implemented as a societal technology that strengthens democratic values rather than undermining them. The project focuses on making AI systems more transparent, understandable and accountable, especially in domains such as healthcare, mobility, public services and local governance, where algorithmic decision-making increasingly affects citizens’ lives.
AI is playing an increasingly prominent role in decision-making processes—across healthcare, mobility, public services, and local governance. However, citizens often do not understand how these systems work or what criteria are used in their decision-making. DECIDE aims to fundamentally change this. “We don’t start with the technology, but rather with the question of what societal impact we want to achieve,” Boon explains. “Only then do we ask: what knowledge do we need to reach that goal?“
DECIDE brings together a large multidisciplinary consortium of universities, research institutes, public organisations, companies and societal partners. Within so-called Citizen Empowerment Scenarios, researchers and practitioners collaboratively design AI applications with citizens, not merely for them. These scenarios address key issues such as explainability, ethics, governance, education and regulation, ensuring that citizens are actively involved in shaping how AI systems function and how decisions are made.
ImproVive participates in DECIDE as a societal partner, contributing practical expertise in the design of interactive and human-centred AI experiences. Through this role, ImproVive helps bridge research and real-world practice, supporting the co-creation of AI applications that are meaningful, inclusive and aligned with societal values.
Read more about Decide.
