On January 29, 2025, the Erasmus Centre for Data Analytics in Rotterdam became a hub of thought as experts, researchers, policymakers, and enthusiasts gathered both in-person and online for the first public event of the TWIN4DEM project.
Exploring Digital Twins for Democratic Resilience
The event offered a deep dive into how digital twins can revolutionize democratic processes by enhancing decision-making, promoting democratic resilience, and addressing ethical implications in governance. Discussions revolved around:
– Supporting Decision-Making: Leveraging digital twins to provide data-driven insights for policymakers.
– Combating Democratic Decline: Exploring strategies to counteract the erosion of democratic values using technology.
– Ethical Implications: Addressing concerns about privacy, fairness, and transparency in implementing these innovations.
Expert Insights and Engaging Discussions
We were honored to have an exceptional lineup of speakers who shared their expertise:
– Dr. Clara Egger – Erasmus University Rotterdam & Principal Investigator of TWIN4DEM
– Prof. dr. Giangiacomo Bravo – Linnaeus University, Sweden
– Prof. dr. Maaike Harbers – Hogeschool Rotterdam
– Roland van der Heijden – City of Rotterdam, Rotterdam Citiverse
– Frederike Manders – Erasmus Centre for Data Analytics
– Erika Nika – EU Project Manager at DBC diadikasia
The event kicked off with Marcel van Oosterhout, Executive Director at ECDA, providing insights into Digital Twins. The subsequent panel discussion brought diverse perspectives, delving into:
– Using Digital Twins in Democracy Research: Examining how virtual models can simulate political systems to analyze policy impacts.
– Innovative Approaches to Democratic Challenges: Utilizing computational tools to address societal and ethical issues.
– Immersive Experience for Democratic Engagement: At the Immersive Xperience Lab, participants explored democracy dashboards and XR (Extended Reality) experiences, offering a glimpse into the future of civic engagement.
Watch the Full Event Recording
Did you miss the event or want to revisit the discussions? Watch the full recording here and gain valuable insights from leading experts in digital twins, democracy, and ethics in technology.
