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Data Science Centre Data Science Centre

HAVA-Lab: Pioneering research on Human-Aligned Video AI

The HAVA-Lab establishes through the Interdisciplinary PhD programme initiated by the UvA Data Science Centre, part of the UvA Library. The mission of this first multidisciplinary laboratory is to define human-aligned video-AI, develop computable models, and examine the factors influencing its societal acceptance.

Video Artificial Intelligence (Video-AI) has shown immense potential for scientific exploration, business applications, and well-being. However the same video-AI is also accountable for problematic societal issues, such as the spread of misinformation, accidents caused by self-driving cars and mass-surveillance systems. This research programme emphasises the need to shift the focus from recognition accuracy to human-alignment, ensuring societal acceptance and responsible digital transformation.

Lab at UvA Library

The project establishes a laboratory that studies video-AI from a multidisciplinary perspective. This laboratory is situated in the University Library Singel in Amsterdam (the main building of the University Library of the University of Amsterdam). The first PhD's are using the lab from May onwards. The opening was on 16 October 2024.

The research investigation team consists of research investigators and PhD candidates from all 7 UvA faculties.

The DSC HAVA-Lab Research Team

  • Lead Principal Investigator: Prof. dr. Cees Snoek (Faculty of Science)
  • Lab Manager: Dr. Pascal Mettes (Faculty of Science)
  • Co-Principal Investigators: Dr. Erwin Berkhout (Dentistry), Prof. dr. Tobias Blanke and Dr. Paula Helm (Humanities), Dr. Iris Groen (Faculty of Science), Dr. mr. Heleen Janssen (Amsterdam Law School), Prof. dr. Marie Lindegaard (Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences), Dr. Stevan Rudinac (Economics and Business) and Prof. dr. Marlies Schijven (AUMC)
In this video, all seven PhD candidates introduce themselves and share their perspectives on the project.