Kars Alfrink

Dr. Kars Alfrink is a postdoctoral researcher at Delft University of Technology's Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, specializing in Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence. His research focuses on contestable AI systems, investigating how to design public artificial intelligence that remains subject to societal control and democratic oversight. With over 15 years of professional experience as an interaction design consultant, entrepreneur, and community organizer prior to entering academia, Alfrink brings practical expertise to his critical examination of AI systems.

Alfrink's research interests center on creating more democratic public AI systems through the lens of contestability. His work combines extensive practical knowledge in digital product design with critical socio-political theory, examining how AI systems can be designed to allow citizens to challenge and influence both AI decisions and development processes. His research explores the intersection of AI infrastructure, design methodology, and democratic governance, with particular focus on creating systems where power dynamics are transparent and contestable.

• Best Paper Award at the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

As an advisor and consultant at SORCEREE (2023-2028), Alfrink bridges academic research with practical implementation. His industry experience informs his academic work, creating a feedback loop between theoretical frameworks and real-world applications of contestable AI principles. He actively participates in research projects examining how AI systems can maintain societal accountability while delivering technological benefits.

Alfrink leads the 'Contestable AI' research project at TU Delft, which investigates how to design AI systems that allow humans to challenge and influence decisions and development. This project brings together interdisciplinary researchers from design, computer science, and social sciences to develop frameworks for creating public AI systems that incorporate democratic oversight mechanisms directly into their technical architecture.