A call for abstracts for the upcoming AI-Imaginations Symposium: The Future of AI and Public Safety, taking place on 19–20 June 2025 at Erasmus University Rotterdam. These themes resonate with the BOLD Cities’ mission to explore citizen-centric approaches to urban governance and technology. Like our work on contestability and public engagement, this symposium seeks to reimagine AI as a tool for empowerment rather than repression. This international event invites researchers, artists, and practitioners to explore new ways of thinking about AI’s role in shaping public safety and social well-being.
Reimagining AI
AI technologies have transformed the way we approach public safety, but many current applications focus on control, efficiency, and risk mitigation. This symposium challenges that paradigm, asking critical questions such as:
- What if AI prioritised care and trust over control and suspicion?
- How can speculative fiction and art inspire alternative futures for AI?
- In what ways can AI uphold public values like inclusion and well-being?
The organisers welcome abstracts (300 words) on topics ranging from the ethical design of AI to the intersection of political ideologies and AI imaginaries. Creative and interdisciplinary contributions are especially encouraged, aligning with the symposium’s goal to merge science, design, and art in envisioning the AI we could have. The deadline for submissions is 15 February 2025.
Join the dialogue
This symposium offers a unique opportunity to engage in thought-provoking discussions and collaborate across disciplines. Whether exploring innovative AI design or questioning assumptions about public safety, participants will contribute to shaping a more inclusive and equitable AI landscape.