eLaw is one of the partners in the AI-MAPS project. AI MAPS is part of the ELSA (ethical, legal and societal aspects of AI) Network. The project is coordinated by Erasmus University Rotterdam.

AI MAPS stands for “AI Multi‐Agency Public Safety Issues” and is financed by NWO. The project consists of 6 implementation partners (including Leiden University, EUR and TU Deflt), a Consortium advisory board (dedicated stakeholders with decision-making power within the project) and a Sounding board (interested stakeholders without decision-making power).

AI MAPS adopts a freedom and social well-being perspective and focuses on three themes to address key security challenges:

• Social disorder and public nuisances in neighbourhoods; 
• High-impact crime; 
• Crowds and events.

AI algorithms can support institutions in making decisions and taking public safety measures. For instance, pattern recognition in videos can automatically detect anomalous patterns in neighbourhood gatherings and semantic pattern recognition in texts can detect rising tensions in groups on social media. AI algorithms can thus guide local authorities in scaling up intervention activities. AI MAPS focuses on the ethical, legal and social aspects of AI (ELSA) development and application - to prevent the solution from being worse than the problem.

Funding information

This Dutch Research Agenda (NWA) call concerning Artificial Intelligence (AI) focuses on research into the regulation, development, assessment and implementation of human-centred AI. This requires that technological developments are studied in relation to ethical, legal, societal and economic aspects (ELSA) based on case studies in different public domains.

For more information, see the project website (at EUR) and read our Blog.