Driving valuable innovation: this is how technology can empower us

AI is pouring into classrooms, learning environments are increasingly dependent on data-driven ecosystems, ende influence of dominant tech companies is growing. The world is also under geopolitical pressure. For education and research institutions, it is more urgent than ever to stay the course. SURF and Kennisnet's Values Compass was given a thorough update. It shows how technology can empower us, not steer us.

Values as a compass in innovation

The Values Compass to digitisation in education and research provides a common language to discuss these developments and their impact on public values. By thinking and deciding from values such as humanity, justice and autonomy, professionals can consciously steer towards value(n)full innovation. The Values Compass supports design choices, procurement, use and governance of digital resources. So that digitalisation contributes, for example, to equal opportunities, meaningful contact, freedom of choice, privacy and inclusion.

A sector-wide tool

The Values Compass is a sector-wide instrument that gives direction to digitisation based on public values. SURF and Kennisnet developed the Values Compass together with a broad coalition of parties, including experts from the Rathenau Institute, MBO Digitaal, GÉANT, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. It also contains valuable contributions from educational institutions, sector councils and the Ethics Advisory Council of the PO Council and Kennisnet.

The Values Compass shows which values can come under pressure, which dilemmas arise in the process and how professionals can have meaningful conversations about this, from classroom to boardroom. So that decisions around digitisation in education and research can be taken in a well-considered way and are in line with the public values and ethical principles we as a sector consider important.

Download the Values Compass

WaardenWijzer graphic met hoofdwaarden: autonomie, rechtvaardigheid, menselijkheid

Also play WaardenWijzer - the game

Open the conversation about public values with 'WaardenWijzer - Het Spel'. You can play the board game or get started with the example dilemmas. The game facilitates the conversation about digitisation and its dilemmas, values and ethical considerations in a fun, accessible and practical way. You discuss digitisation issues from the perspective of public values.

To the game