ELSA Labs

What are ELSA Labs?

The AiNed ELSA Labs (ELSA stands for Ethical, Legal, and Societal Aspects), focus on the ethical, legal, and societal aspects for responsible development and application of AI. Through concrete use cases and practical experiences, the labs develop and test ethical guidelines and legal frameworks for AI applications. The results contribute to the development and enforcement of legislation and offer advice to developers and applicators of AI. Each ELSA Lab focuses on a specific application area so that general regulations can be translated into practice within that context.

The labs also address societal challenges. Co-creation and citizen participation are central, ensuring that solutions meet the needs of society. The output consists of policy recommendations and insights that contribute to a fair, safe, and reliable application of AI.

Which ELSA Labs are available?

Currently, there are six active ELSA Labs:

New ELSA Labs launched in 2025

In March 2025, four new ELSA Labs were launched focusing on various AI applications, ranging from the adaptation of AI in the technical industry and mobility to the legal, ethical, and social implications of AI in healthcare:

ELSA Lab for Technical Industry
Accelerating AI adoption in the technical industry, with an emphasis on fairness, SME empowerment, and economic impact.
Legal, Regulatory, and Policy Aspects of Clinical Decision Support Systems
Responsible use of AI in clinical decision-making, with a focus on certification, regulation, and trust in technology.
ELSA Lab AI for Health Equity
Focuses on fair medical AI and preventing bias against marginalized groups.
Mobility Design Lab
Develops AI-driven digital twins for responsible mobility design and management in cities.

In December, two additional ELSA Labs were announced:

ELSA Lab VAMAI
Investigates the social and economic opportunities of using responsible AI in healthcare.
E4LSA AI Lab For Energy & Sustainability (AI4ES)
Focuses on the use of AI to contribute effectively to the energy transition.

Want to know more about these research projects? Visit the NWO website for more information about the NGF call AiNed ELSA Labs.