Game Theory & Market Design for Decision Makers
We often face situations where one decision changes everything: placing a bid, choosing a strategy, or evaluating a competitor's move. This masterclass will introduce you to the science behind such choices, providing you with the tools to analyse complex interactions, make better strategic decisions, and design well-functioning systems for strategic interaction.
Nobel Prize material
AI and strategic thinking
Case studies
Networking opportunities
For whom?
This masterclass is designed for professionals, in both the private and the public sector, who regularly need to make strategic decisions in a highly complex environment, where the outcomes depend on both their own choices and the choices of others. It provides an opportunity to reflect on this process of decision making in a systematic and scientifically grounded manner. The masterclass is also ideal for professionals tasked with designing systems (“markets”) that will be used by multiple self-interested individuals and that nonetheless need to function well.
Prior knowledge: We assume familiarity with basic concepts from high-school mathematics and, more importantly, lots of intellectual curiosity.
About the masterclass
Game theory studies mathematical models that help us analyse situations invovling strategic interaction. Market design is the art and science of designing the rules for a market that functions well, even when people behave strategically. The emerging discipline of market design provides principled and actionable advice to anyone faced with the challenge of designing a system in which strategic individuals interact.
Examples are plentiful. How do you design a sponsored search auction to decide which ads to place on the website of a search engine? And as a business advertising on such a site, how to you decide on your own bidding strategy in such an auction?
Not all markets involve money. How do you design a system for matching workers to tasks? And as a participant in such a market, when is it in your best interest to truthfully reveal your own preferences and when do you need to be strategic?
This masterclass will provide a hands-on introduction to game theory and market design, with special attention to the potential of algorithmics and AI.
What will you learn?
Learn to analyse complex interactions, design better systems and make smarter decisions. After this masterclass, you will:
- understand ground-breaking ideas that received Nobel Prizes and that have shaped business practice and governmental policy
- be able to systematically analyse a range of complex situations requiring strategic decision making using the mathematical tools of game theory
- appreciate the tension between the predications provided by mathematical models of decision making and the intricacies of real-world human behaviour
- have accumulated a small portfolio of examples for best practices of market design in both business and governmental contexts.
Classes will be taught by Ulle Endriss, Professor of AI and Collective Decision Making at the University of Amsterdam. Prof. Endriss is widely known for his innovative research contributions at the interface of AI with Mathematical Economics. He is also known as a dedicated teacher, including advanced tutorials at international conferences and a Lecturer of the Year award at the UvA’s Faculty of Science.
Fees:
| Fee:* | Application until: | Start date masterclass: | |
| Early bird: | €1,550 | 30 June 2026 | 10 September 2026 |
| Standard: | €1,795 | 3 September 2026 | 10 September 2026 |
* The fee is VAT-exempt.
Alumni get a 10% discount
UvA Alumni receive a 10% discount on the standard fee. Please note that this discount cannot be combined with the early bird discount.
Top location
The masterclass will be held at Amsterdam Science Park in LAB42, an international hub for knowledge and talent development in digital innovation and AI. LAB42 is a vibrant space where AI researchers, computer scientists, students, and entrepreneurs come together to explore and advance the possibilities of artificial intelligence.
Contact
Do you have questions about this masterclass?
Please contact our professional education team: professionaleducation-ivi@uva.nl