News
call for democratic tech
Call: government, invest in a democratic fund!
Together with Commons Network, Bits of Freedom, PublicSpaces and SETUP, Waag calls on the Dutch government to invest in democratic technology now.
Waag Futurelab: Annual report 2024
Waag Futurelab publishes its 2024 annual report: read all about Waag's activities and the impact of Waag's research, Academy programmes and public programme in 2024.
Urban Ecology Lab
Waag Futurelab starts in May 2025 as Zoöp
As a Zoöp, Waag will make the interests of people as well as other living beings explicit in questioning technology and designing alternatives based on public values.
future internet lab
Application Masterclass Net Politics started
Course for (future) decision makers in the information society with current topics, practical tools and relevant speakers.
Smart Citizens Lab
Organise an activity during the National Citizen Science Expo
The very first National Citizen Science Expo will take place on 2 October: Knowledge Making is the event for everyone involved in citizen science. Want to share your knowledge or experiences? Submit your activity and join the expo!
Smart Citizens Lab
Citizens develop an AI-tool with Waag and UvA
Waag Futurelab and computer scientists from the UvA invited IJmond residents to work together to design an AI-tool to help residents spot suspicious smoke clouds.
international day against racism
International day against racism: see 'Coded Bias' and other tips
Today is the international day against racism and discrimination: a good time to reflect on the ways in which technology reproduces and reinforces existing racist structures.
interview NRC
'Companies can no longer use WhatsApp'
NRC published an article on corporate use of Meta's WhatsApp on 16 February 2025. In the article, Sander van der Waal, research director at Waag Futurelab, warns against using the app and recommends switching to an alternative such as Signal:
the internet is broken
'The internet is broken' now available for download
In honour of Waag Futurelab's 30th anniversary, the book is available for free download. The book is available under a Creative Commons BY-SA licence.
Berenschot x Waag Futurelab
Participate in Berenschot's AI Trend Research
Waag Futurelab is collaborating with Berenschot in researching trends in AI.
TextileLab
Wanted: textile experts to test new prototype
Urban Ecology Lab
Limit AI's climate impact
Waag Futurelab has signed the statement Within Bounds: Limiting AI’s Environmental Impact. Waag and 80+ organisations call on policymakers, industry leaders and all stakeholders to limit AI's climate impact.
30 years of Waag
The Leestafel now on display at ZKM exhibition
The classic Leestafel that was shown in the cafe underneath the Waag in the 90s, is now featured in the 'Choose Your Filter!' exhibition at the ZKM Center for Art and Media in Karlsruhe.
data privacy day
15 alternative apps for better privacy and wellbeing
Not-for-profit apps that are good for your privacy? With a nice design and amazing functionality? They exist! Check out our list of 15 apps that offer a viable alternative to big tech.
podcast NRC
Het Uur: Interview with Marleen Stikker
In NRC's podcast ‘Het Uur’, Marleen Stikker joins the show to talk about the dangers of big tech.
Future Internet Lab
Marleen Stikker in VPRO Tegenlicht 'Protect your smartphone from big tech'
VPRO Tegenlicht spoke to Waag Futurelab director Marleen Stikker about the ways the smartphone threatens our freedom, and also how we can make ourselves more independent of the big tech that dominates the mobile ecosystem.
#MakeSocialsSocialAgain
Waag Futurelab launches collective campaign #MakeSocialsSocialAgain
The campaign calls on cultural and social organisations and users to actively engage in alternative social media platforms that safeguard public values.
future internet lab
Interview NRC: Sander van der Waal on social media alternatives
NRC published an article on alternative social media. Sander de Waal of Waag Futurelab talked about social media alternative Mastodon.
fab academy
Presenting Edwin Dertien and his Furby Synthesiser Module
Fab Academy alum Edwin Dertien created a synthesiser module out of Furbys. This instrument was fully designed, developed, and created using the machines and technologies available in Waag’s Fablab.
Anniversary Waag Futurelab: Interview with internet pioneers in Het Parool
To mark Waag Futurelab's 30th anniversary year, an interview with internet pioneers Marleen Stikker, Caroline Nevejan and Geert Lovink appeared in national newspaper Het Parool last Saturday.
30 years of Waag
Marleen Stikker on 30 years of Waag Futurelab: ‘We always dig just a little deeper’
Waag Futurelab is celebrating its 30 year anniversary! Marleen Stikker looks back on the history of Waag and the many people around it who make the organisation.
planet b podcast
Bonus episode: digital detox meditation
Take a digital break and listen to the relaxing bonus episode of the planet B podcast.
Commons Lab
Launching Digital Transition Hub for the social economy
Waag Futurelab and De Omslag launch hub for organisations in the social economy
public stack
Bluesky does not solve the problem of public debate being in the hands of big tech
While the social media platform Bluesky appears to be an attractive alternative to X, it is not a solution to the problem with big tech, say Marleen Stikker and Danny Lämmerhirt of Waag Futurelab.