From innovation to sustainable change
In 2025, DASH focused on translating AI and digital health innovations into sustainable improvements in healthcare. This was achieved by connecting research, clinical practice, and society through events, collaborations, and applied projects.
Connecting communities around AI and digital health
DASH organised two DASH Connect meetings, accessible gatherings on AI, data science, and eHealth that brought together participants ranging from students to researchers. These sessions included interactive discussions on topics such as eHealth implementation and AI inclusivity.
Together with Hanze University of Applied Sciences, DASH also co-organised the AI Community Symposium, focusing on the integration of AI in healthcare across multiple domains.
In addition, DASH contributed to the national Smart Care Relay, a travelling programme on healthcare innovation featuring interactive workshops on generative AI, personalised digital tools, and broader healthcare digitalisation.
Digital Healthcare Cafés
To support hands-on learning and experience sharing, DASH organised multiple Digital Healthcare Cafés in collaboration with Noorderpoort College and Forum Groningen. These sessions allowed participants to exchange experiences, identify barriers, and practise using digital health tools such as patient portals and video consultations.
Engaging the public and younger audiences
DASH invested in public engagement and education to increase understanding of AI and healthcare technology among younger audiences. At Zpannend Zernike, children were introduced to the basics of AI and machine learning through interactive workshops. The Science Truck programme visited schools across the Netherlands, providing pupils with insights into both the possibilities and limitations of AI and data science in healthcare.
Collaboration and Community
In collaboration with ELSA-NN, DASH organised public lectures on medical AI and inclusivity. DASH also contributed to the AI in Healthcare at UMCG symposium (18 December 2025), highlighting current developments in applied AI.
Digital Healthcare Community
The Digital Healthcare Community continued to serve as a platform bringing together faculty, students, clinicians, and external stakeholders. Through seminars, interactive sessions, and networking events, the community supports interdisciplinary collaboration at the intersection of AI and medical sciences. Originally established within the Jantina Tammes School, the community is increasingly aligned with DASH, with a formal transition planned for 2026.
Key projects and societal impact
Several initiatives contributed to the broader goal of improving accessibility and inclusion in digital healthcare. A key example is the Living Lab Accessible Digital Healthcare, part of Nationaal Programma Groningen, coordinated by UMCG. This project focuses on improving the implementation and usability of digital healthcare technologies for professionals, IT companies, and end users in the region.
Making eHealth more accessible
Other important contributions include the Veni project by Esther Metting, which aims to make eHealth more accessible for people with limited digital skills, particularly those with chronic conditions. The Citrien-3 programme Digital Inclusion in Healthcare addresses barriers in the use of patient portals and develops co-created solutions that are shared nationally.
Dutch AI Factory
DASH played an active role in strengthening the regional AI ecosystem and contributed to the successful development of the Dutch AI Factory initiative by supporting meetings with municipal stakeholders from Groningen and Oldambt, as well as organising a working visit for the Province of Groningen on applied (generative) AI at UMCG.
AI Hub Northern Netherlands
In addition, DASH collaborates closely with the AI Hub Northern Netherlands. In 2025, this hub received a €3 million grant from the European Regional Development Fund via the Northern Netherlands Partnership (SNN), further strengthening the regional AI network of researchers, companies, and government organisations.
The highlight of 2025 was receiving the green light for the Dutch AI Factory! It is a cohesive ecosystem of data, infrastructure, governance, and talent that drives scaling and strengthens our ecosystem.
Key highlights:
- DASH Connect meetings and AI Community Symposium with Hanze UAS
- Smart Care Relay sessions on AI, eHealth, and digital innovation
- Digital Healthcare Cafés with Noorderpoort College and Forum Groningen
- Outreach via Zpannend Zernike and Science Truck programme
- Public lectures with ELSA-NN on AI and inclusivity
- Strengthening of the Digital Healthcare Community
- Living Lab Accessible Digital Healthcare
- Veni project on eHealth accessibility and Citrien-3 programme on digital inclusion
- Contribution to Dutch AI Factory development and regional AI ecosystem
Impact and outreach in 2025
AI in Healthcare… Much Ado About Nothing?
23 January
Keynote by Peter van Ooijen during symposium ‘Van Data naar Daadkracht’ at ISALA Hospital, Zwolle.
AI in Medical Imaging
30 January
Lecture by Peter van Ooijen at the Radiology Quality Evening, Martini Hospital Groningen.
Status of AI in Radiological Image Analysis
30 January
Keynote by Rozemarijn Vliegenthart at UMCG Department of Pathology and Medical Biology Research Day 2025.
Inclusive Medical AI
10-14 February
Workshop by Mirjam Plantinga at Lorentz Center, Leiden.
AI Theatre on AI and Cybersecurity
28 February
Introduction by (Chair) Peter van Ooijen at ECR 2025, Vienna, Austria.
AI in Healthcare
20 March
Lecture by Peter van Ooijen at refresher course at the Rob Giel Research Centre.
Annual Meeting Amsterdam Movement Sciences
27 March
Keynote by Job Doornberg on 'Clinical Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Orthopaedic Surgery' in Amsterdam.
Mayor’s working visit to the UMCG on AI in Healthcare & AI Factory
2 April
Contributions from, among others, Michiel Hooiveld and Job Doornberg
International Primary Care Respiratory Group
11 April
Presentations by Esther Metting on 'Culture Matters: Cross-Country Comparison of Technology Acceptance' and 'Designing a Decision Support System for Tailored eHealth Solutions'.
Responsible AI
8 May
Lecture by Mirjam Plantinga at AI Regional Tour.
AI in cardiothoracic imaging: ready for clinical implementation?
8 May
Presentation by Rozemarijn Vliegenthart at McMaster International Review Conference in Internal Medicine, Krakow.
Responsible AI for Seniors
14 May
Lecture by Mirjam Plantinga in Tolbert.
Surgeons' Days 2026
22 May
Keynote by Job Doornberg on 'Complex Elbow Fracture-Dislocations made Stupid Simple: It’s All About the Coronoid' at Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.
AO Trauma Masters Course: 3D Osteotomies for Posttraumatic Deformities
20 June
Lecture by Job Doornberg on '3D Guided Intra-Articular Osteotomy for Tibial Plateau Malunion' in Groningen.
1st Frontiers in Orthopaedic Research and Translation
20 September
Keynote by Job Doornberg in Hong Kong, China.
Rimasys Tibia Pilon Course
1 & 2 October
Lecture on 'Complications of Complex Tibia Pilon Fractures' by Job Doornberg in Cologne, Germany.
From Pixels to Predictions
11 October
Lecture by Peter van Ooijen at EuSoMII Annual Meeting, Heraklion, Crete.
1st Annual Symposium Harvard-Holland Combined Orthopedic Research Collaboration
12 November
Job Doornberg as Chair at de Waag in Amsterdam.
The Pros and Cons of AI in Healthcare
13 November
Lecture by Peter van Ooijen at Conference 'Trends in Head and Neck Oncology' in Faro, Portugal.
Working visit of the Province of Groningen
2 December
On Applied (Gen)AI at the UMCG and the importance of a AI Factory for the Northern regio with presentations of Stephanie Klein Nagelvoort Schuit, Rosanne Schoonbeek , Esther Metting, Bart Scheerder, Michiel Kahmann and Wim Smit.
Lecture at Dissection Course for Residents 'Coronoid Fracture Patterns'
3 December
Lecture by Job Doornberg at the UMCG.
Collaboration in the Dutch ELSA Lab Community: Experiences and Insights
4 December
Workshop by Mirjam Plantinga on ethical, legal, social impact/aspect research frameworks: Towards an ELS-X Research Community in Europe. At Karlsruher Institute for Technology.
Annual PA!N-Congres
15 December
Keynote on the Clinical Applications of Artificial Intelligence by Job Doornberg in Veenendaal.