Alumni Week: What if we regain control over big tech?
Saturday 3 October | 16:00-17:00 | Science Park C1.110
- Date
- 3 October 2026
- Time
- 16:00 -17:00
- Location
- Science Park 904
- Room
- C1.110
Please note: this event is in Dutch.
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Claes de Vreese has published widely on these topics and will provide an overview and discuss which choices we need to make now in order to protect democratic values. Afterwards, he will enter into a conversation with journalist and NOS correspondent Fleur Launspach, with time for questions from the audience.
Speakers
Claes de Vreese is University Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Society at the University of Amsterdam and Professor of Political Communication. He is also the scientific director of the UvA’s Digital Democracy Centre (DDC). His research explores how technology and media shape our society and democracy, with a particular focus on AI, algorithms, social media and Big Tech, and how these technologies influence the information we receive, public opinion and political choices.De Vreese is an internationally leading scholar in this field and closely connects his academic research to pressing societal issues. On 7 October 2026, he will receive the NWO Stevin Prize, one of the highest scientific honours in the Netherlands, for his research on the impact of Big Tech, algorithms and AI on democracy.
Fleur Launspach is a journalist specialising in international news. She is the NOS correspondent for the United Kingdom and Ireland, and heads the NOS bureau in London. Before moving to the UK, Launspach worked as a producer and reporter for Al Jazeera English. Earlier in her career, her work took her to some of the world’s most remote and challenging locations. Launspach holds both a Master’s degree in Journalism and a Master’s degree in Media and Culture from the University of Amsterdam.
