Safe and Responsible Use of AI in Partnership with the Market: Rijkswaterstaat’s Strategic Approach
Published on: 30 April 2026, 10:38 hrs
Artificial intelligence powers modern society. It gives tools that change many fields. Rijkswaterstaat is a Dutch agency for public works and water management. They build an AI plan that is safe and responsible. They work with market partners. Their plan uses AI to boost work speed, spark new ideas, and keep the public safe.
Embracing AI to Drive Efficiency and Innovation
Ron Kolkman serves as Chief Information Officer at Rijkswaterstaat. He says digital change makes AI key. Data shines as our most precious asset. Ron wants to use modern data and digital tools well with AI. The agency uses a clear plan. They trust AI to shape the way work is done and to use data smartly. AI now helps manage assets, water, and traffic by turning data into real, usable insights.
Navigating Challenges with a Cautious and Considered Approach
Using new AI ideas is complex. Ron Kolkman points out that many projects do not grow past trials. He cites MIT research where 95% of AI projects fail to scale. Still, Rijkswaterstaat keeps testing and learning. They use AI with great care. They check that AI works while human insight stays in charge. Tom Meinders, the Chief Data Officer, adds that laws guide their AI use. They protect public values and rights. They use algorithms where risks stay low, and they keep data privacy as a top concern. They help staff learn more about digital tools. Learning builds trust, supports safe use, and makes work more satisfying.
Collaboration with Market Partners: Harnessing Collective Strength
Rijkswaterstaat works closely with industry partners. Ron Kolkman says, “We cannot do it alone.” They serve market groups and industry associations to boost innovation. One case is data-driven asset management. Working with market leaders, the agency digitizes locks and other critical parts. AI now helps predict when equipment fails by looking at large sets of data.
Data and AI Lab: Incubating Innovation through Pilot Projects
At the end of 2025, Rijkswaterstaat started the Data and AI Lab. They bring together teams of digital, data, and AI specialists. The Lab now tests around 70 pilot projects with market help. One pilot uses satellite images and AI to spot where river banks need care. Another uses sensors and data to study how bridges expand in hot weather. During winter, AI-backed data helped plan gritting on icy roads, saving money and time.
High5 Hackathons: Stimulating Market Innovation
Rijkswaterstaat runs High5 Hackathons two to three times every year. They invite market players and staff to solve specific problems. People set aside their normal work to focus for one intense week. Tom Meinders explains that this time of deep collaboration leads to solution demos. The process is demanding, yet it works very well.
Real-World AI Application: The Licensing Challenge
Mark Koerts is a managing consultant for automation, data, and AI at Kyndryl. In a High5 Hackathon in late 2024, he explored an AI solution for handling long discharge permit reports. Normally, reviewing these reports takes weeks. The hackathon showed that AI can lower this load. Kyndryl built a proof of concept with Rijkswaterstaat. At first, a generic AI system gave some wrong details.
Building Reliable Mini-AI Systems
The team shifted their approach. They built mini-AI systems for small parts of the licensing process. These systems automatically pull out verified facts from the reports. Staff check the facts later for the proper sources. This mix balances automated speed with human oversight. After testing, the new solution works accurately and reliably. What took weeks now finishes in one day. Mark Koerts states, “Our next step is implementation.” They are now studying the technical, procedural, and human factors to bring the system online. Challenges remain, but that is part of innovation.
Rijkswaterstaat’s careful and joint AI strategy shows how public institutions and market partners can harness AI’s power responsibly. Through pioneering projects, strong checks, and ongoing learning, they build a smarter, more efficient, and resilient future.
Follow Rijkswaterstaat on LinkedIn and YouTube for more updates on digital transformation and AI initiatives.
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