Students specialising in digitalisation increasingly in demand in government: ‘My thesis focuses on military AI systems’
Nynke Marije Attema grew up on a farm in Friesland, surrounded by animals. At the time, she could never have imagined that she would go on to become a specialist in digitalisation. The bachelor’s track in Digitalisation, Governance and Society at the Institute of Public Administration turned out to be the perfect choice. ‘A Member of Parliament asked me for input.’
You made a very deliberate choice to specialise in digitalisation.
‘This specialisation appealed to me because it prepares you to act as a bridge between the public sector and the IT sector. You learn how technologies can be used effectively and responsibly in public administration, while gaining insight into both worlds: what does government need, and what opportunities can digitalisation offer? You learn to understand the language of the IT sector and to examine societal issues through a digital lens. How can we use technology to tackle complex problems more effectively? This is precisely where you can see that government still has some catching up to do when it comes to digitalisation.’
Why is that?
‘At present, government does not always have sufficient digital expertise in-house and is therefore dependent on the IT sector. That is precisely why professionals are needed who understand both the public and the digital world. When these specialists begin working in the public sector, the necessary expertise can be developed further within government itself. This reduces reliance on external parties and enables government to assess and use technology more effectively.’
‘At present, the government does not always have sufficient digital expertise in-house.’
So these professionals are in high demand.
‘Absolutely. It is extremely important that digital innovations are used properly and responsibly. For example, you want to prevent problems from arising again through the use of biased algorithms that unfairly disadvantage certain groups of people. That requires professionals who understand new technologies, algorithms and artificial intelligence, but who also recognise their wider impact on society.’
How do you see this growing interest in practice?
‘You can see that both government and politicians are taking an increasing interest in digitalisation, as well as in students who specialise in the field. During my studies, I visited several government ministries. I was also invited by a Member of Parliament to attend a meeting of the House of Representatives Committee for Digital Affairs, which I found very special. On another occasion, I had coffee with an MP who told me I was always welcome to share ideas or provide input. These are the kinds of experiences you can gain during your studies thanks to the programme’s location in The Hague.’
Can you give an example of a topic you focused on?
‘One assignment that has stayed with me was a paper on institutional trust, for which I was free to choose my own topic. I decided to research public trust in law enforcement and the impact of digital investigative tools on that trust. This also involved looking at the legal dimension. Privacy and ethical issues are covered extensively throughout the programme. The digital world offers many opportunities, but it also comes with risks.’
You are now in the third year of the programme. What have you learned this year?
‘In my third year, I focused extensively on data. What information does the government collect, how is it used, and to what extent are citizens actually aware of this? I also explored how data can contribute to better policymaking without losing sight of citizens’ privacy. In addition, I wrote my bachelor’s thesis on the extent to which human control over military AI systems helps safeguard public values within Dutch defence policy.’
What would you like prospective students to know?
‘I would say: come along to a taster day and experience for yourself what it is like to study digitalisation. You will discover that it involves much more than just the technical side. There are major societal debates about technology and the digital society, and this is precisely where you can make a difference as a public administration specialist. As a graduate, you can play a key role in shaping how the Dutch government engages with technology in the future. There is still a great deal of progress to be made in this area. So come along for a day and discover for yourself just how interesting and important this field is.’
