Client: Gemeente Rotterdam
Format: AI Inspiration Session & Workshop
Date: March 2025
Focus: Awareness, hands-on exploration, and practical use cases
Bringing AI down to earth
There’s a lot of hype around artificial intelligence—but too often, it feels distant, complex, or even threatening. At SOTAB, we believe something else: AI should feel like a helpful co-pilot, not a takeover. That’s exactly the spirit we brought to our inspiration session for Gemeente Rotterdam’s School of Technology and Business.
This march, we led a dynamic, interactive workshop designed not just to explain AI—but to let participants experience it for themselves.
The Goal: “AI As a Boost, Not a Burden”
This wasn’t a dry presentation or abstract lecture. The session was built around one simple truth:
AI doesn’t replace your work—it helps you do it better, faster, and with less stress.
From public service staff to education professionals, many in the room faced real challenges: overflowing inboxes, repetitive tasks, tight deadlines. The goal of the session was to show how AI tools can lighten that load—not by taking over, but by giving people more time and space to do what really matters.
What We Covered
The session mixed insights, demos, and hands-on exercises. Some key highlights:
AI 101 – Without the Jargon
We kicked off with a down-to-earth overview of how AI works—not the technical stuff, but the practical side:
- How AI spots patterns in data (text, images, actions)
- Why your input matters more than the tool itself
- Where AI can speed things up, especially in admin-heavy roles
The Real-World Use Case: De Arbeidsbemiddelaar
We explored a relatable scenario: the re-integration consultant spending over 70% of their time on paperwork.
With AI:
- Intake reports, progress updates, and final reports can be auto-generated
- Speech-to-text tools simplify meeting documentation
- Matching candidates to vacancies becomes smarter and faster
The result? More time for real human connection—and far fewer errors.
Hands-On Workshop Time
No slides, no spectators. Just laptops, tools, and creativity.
Participants tested real AI tools to:
- Generate professional text in seconds
- Create visuals and content ideas
- Brainstorm new ways to use AI in their daily work
And they didn’t just watch—they built. Together.
What Participants Took Away
✅ AI isn’t something to be scared of—it’s something to shape
✅ You’re still in charge—AI just helps you go faster and smarter
✅ The future of work isn’t robots taking over—it’s humans with better tools
The vibe was open, curious, and empowering. Many walked in skeptical. Most walked out energized, with new ideas and real tools they could start using right away.
A Quote That Stuck:
“AI is like an e-bike. You’re still pedaling, but it gets you there with less effort—especially uphill.”
That metaphor stuck with the group. And it sums up how we approach every AI activation at SOTAB: people first, tech second, impact always.
Kickstart your AI introduction with an inspiration session
Whether you’re part of a municipality, school, or organization that’s just starting with AI—we’ll meet you where you are. Our workshops are practical, low-pressure, and made for real humans (not just techies).
Let’s show your team what AI can do for them.
👉 Get in touch and let’s make learning feel like a discovery—not a download.