News
Masterclass digital power and sovereignty
During this compact, intensive masterclass on Friday 11 September, internet pioneer Bert Hubert, Waag director Marleen Stikker and Open University professor Reijer Passchier will share their insights on digital power, public values and practical steps you can take to regain control of your data, processes and choices.
TextileLab
What is a craftsperson 2.0?
What might a craftsperson in the future, or craftership 2.0, look like? Researcher Zoénie Deng describes the skills, mindset and knowledge needed for the modern craftsperson, using insights gained from the Tracks4Crafts project.
Future Internet Lab
Community vouching makes vulnerable Amsterdammers visible
As part of the Trust-based Banking project, Waag Futurelab, in collaboration with Here to Support, investigated how community vouching can enable people to open a bank account.
workshops digital autonomy
Want more control over your data? Take the first step towards digital autonomy.
Waag Futurelab is organising three free workshops on digital autonomy, focused on data management, for civil society organisations in Amsterdam that work with sensitive data.
AI & creativity
Open Call for creative interventions: Trust me, I’m an AI/rtist
We are looking for 4 creatives or collectives who will test, play with, hack or even break specific AI Enablers that are currently being developed. Apply before 30 September, 23:59 CEST!
public technology
Waag’s Head of ICT on making choices for your organisation
For over 30 years, Waag has been working on open, fair and inclusive technology. Our research, our projects and our events: everything is centred around this mission. This also influences the choices you make internally as an organisation. How do you put that mission into practice?
Open Socials
Moving from big tech to public technology with Waag's Living Lab Open Socials
Waag’s Living Lab Open Socials was launched in June 2026. Together with media organisations, we are exploring the road to an open social web. The aim is to facilitate the transition from big tech’s most widely used social media platforms (such as Instagram and TikTok) to more social, safe and ‘open’ social media platforms.
open socials
Whose land is the feed? How techno-feudalism explains Meta's censorship on queer and pro-choice
The platforms—Amazon, Google, Apple, Meta—are no longer ordinary firms competing in a market; they are fiefs. The way out is not a kinder lord; it is to stop being a tenant.
Urban Ecology Lab
NodeNet: mesh as local emergency network?
In collaboration with the municipality of Amsterdam and a group of residents from the Nieuwmarkt neighbourhood, Waag investigated how a decentralised radio network can contribute to a resilient communications infrastructure.
workshop online presence of libraries
How would you like to experience your library online?
The library is more than a place for books. Join our workshop on Tuesday 21 July and share your ideas about the future of the library online! We want to explore how libraries can create meaningful online spaces for connection, knowledge sharing and exchange.
open socials
Waag is building open socials with oso.social
In autumn 2026, Waag will launch oso.social: your gateway to the open social web.
open socials
You're banned by big tech. Now what?
Has your social media account been banned? You’re not alone. Here are five things you can do. Or download, fold, and spread the word!
What's (More-than-)Human, Anyway?
We have long told a particular story about what it means to be human: a rational, autonomous individual, separate from nature, in control of the world it designs. This figure sits at the centre of meaning, politics, and technology as the measure of all things. But this story has a problem: the world it imagines - separating nature and culture, bodies and machines, self and environment - was never real, and now increasingly so.
public technology
European digital ID wallets are a gift to Google and Apple
European governments are rolling out digital identity wallets, which are to be used by citizens to access services, and to verify their age online. There is a serious problem with this: these wallets rely on safety services of Google and Apple.
designing for the future
Help map AI-skills needs across Europe
The RenAIssance project is building a European collaborative network to ensure that AI reinforces our values rather than eroding them. Please complete the survey so that we can gain a better understanding of the needs in this area.
Cancelled: workshop on data and algorithmic rights
How does the municipality use algorithms? Help make this more transparent!
Algorithms affect benefits, taxes, and city services. Join our workshop to share your ideas and help improve transparency and data rights.
public technology
More grip on technology with the Public Stack Academy
Every decision made in the design and implementation of technology affects you, your organisation and our society. In the Public Stack Academy by Waag you will learn how to make impactful choices that align with your values.
calling on the city council
Amsterdam, be explicit about technology
On Wednesday 3 June, PRO Amsterdam and D66 presented their coalition agreement. The plan does not address how the city can achieve digital independence. Together with Commons Network and Cybersoek, Waag is calling on the city council to be explicit about technology.
Smart Citizens Lab
Submit your citizens’ collective initiative for the NWA’s Citizen Science call
We warmly invite partnerships between citizens’ groups and research institutions to jointly submit a research proposal for smart, liveable cities.
Smart Citizens Lab
Protect the North Sea: Transparency, citizen science and action for the Dogger Bank
or some time now, economic and ecological interests have been at odds, with the result that ecology is always losing out.
beyond the hype(rscale)
Re-watch the State of the Internet 2026 with Fieke Jansen
On 10 April 2026, Waag Futurelab organised its annual lecture The State of the Internet, featuring Fieke Jansen, co-founder of the critical infrastructure lab of the University of Amsterdam.
skills for the future
Sign up now for the Teacher Camps at Waag Futurelab
Sign up now for the Teacher Maker Camp and Teacher Tech Camp at Waag Futurelab for the 2026–2027 academic year. During these two-day training sessions, you’ll discover new ways to creatively incorporate technology and maker education into your classroom.
open socials
Why we moved our Bluesky data to Eurosky
Our presence in the ATmosphere – Bluesky’s protocol – is no longer dependent on the platform’s standard infrastructure. Instead, our data now runs on Eurosky’s Personal Data Server (PDS).
Open Design Lab
Workshop: shaping AI skills & education for Europe’s creative industries
Join the workshop shaping AI skills & education for Europe’s creative industries, organised by Waag for the RenAIssance project.