Responsible experimentation with AI starts with people, not tools

On 1 June 2026, during an Npuls webinar, ROC Mondriaan and Koning Willem I College showed nicely how vocational education (MBO) institutions can explore and embed AI responsibly. What stands out is that both institutions start from a different route, but ultimately arrive at a similar approach.

At KW1C the starting point lies mainly in education. At ROC Mondriaan the movement comes more strongly from ICT. Yet both institutions opt for a network of AI experts, coaches or linking pins per school, team or location. In other words, people who are close to practice, bring colleagues along, gather questions and help ensure that AI is not seen as a standalone tool, but as part of professional practice.

That is exactly where it gets exciting and interesting.

Because responsible AI use does not emerge by itself by publishing a guideline or making a secure environment available. It calls for ownership within teams. For colleagues who dare to experiment, but also know where the boundaries lie. For room to discuss teaching practice, privacy, ethics, assessment and pedagogy in one conversation.

The examples of ROC Mondriaan and KW1C show that AI policy only comes alive when it is connected to professional development. Not just an explanation of what generative AI is, but also concrete teaching activities, role descriptions, scenarios, ethical considerations and results-oriented assignments for education and support departments alike.

For vocational education (MBO), that is an important lesson. AI literacy is not a one-off workshop. It is an ongoing learning process within the organisation. With people leading the way, clear frameworks and room to practise in your own context.

It is great to see more and more examples emerging within Npuls in which safe, valuable and responsible AI use does not remain abstract, but is made practical. It is precisely this combination of policy, experimentation and human craftsmanship that is needed to give AI a lasting place in education.

Go to the website to find everything: https://community-data-ai.npuls.nl/ai-in-beleid-verantwoord-experimenteren-techniek