Projects and collaborations

AI factory

To reduce dependency, the Dutch government and the European Commission are investing in a large-scale 'AI factory' based on public values such as sustainability, transparency and collaboration. In doing so, SURF is responsible for applying for the grant on behalf of the Netherlands and has the experience, expertise and infrastructure to take on the possible implementation of the AI factory.

Read more about the AI factory

GPT-NL

SURF is working with TNO and NFI to develop its own open language model called GPT-NL. For strengthening and maintaining our digital sovereignty and not being dependent on the big international providers around AI models.

Read more about GPT-NL

EduGenAI

EduGenAI is a Dutch AI platform, initiated from the UvA and HvA. It is being further developed together with Npuls so that all educational institutions can use it in a sovereign way. Together with institutions and SURF, we are working on a safe and responsible application of generative AI in further education. Through this platform, educational institutions can access various commercial and open source language models (LLMs/generative AI), where public values, privacy protection, data security and knowledge sharing are central. We are currently investigating whether EduGenAI can be offered as a SURF service.

AI Hub

Through the SURF AI hub, open-source and commercial generative AI models can be offered that can be used in a sovereign, secure, transparent and future-proof manner for SURF institutions within education, research and support through an API link. Members will be able to set their own AI policies.

AI Act

The AI Act contains rules for the use of AI within the European Union (EU). Educational institutions come into contact with this AI Act when deploying or developing AI systems. Together with Npuls, SURF is involved in interpreting concepts from the AI Act. To this end, they have, among other things, prepared an initial help document, which sets out the AI Act and explains the most important concepts.

Read more about the AI Act on the Npuls website (in Dutch)

DPIA procedures SURF

SURF helps institutions reach joint agreements with IT and content providers, with public values such as the AVG being important preconditions. In coordination with its members, SURF provides DPIAs (Data Protection Impact Assessments) that identify privacy risks for data subjects. A DPIA can reveal risks that need to be resolved before a product or service can be used safely. AI tools are also sometimes subject to a DPIA.

Read more about SURF Vendor Compliance and DPIAs (in Dutch)