BetaBagels is an experimental breakfast salon for change-makers and do-ers who have an interest in government & civic technology, data science, and service design. While this is our first one, we are looking to host monthly conversations with change-makers and do-ers who are transforming government from the inside out. We are inspired by our friends in LA who host Data + Donuts < https://datadonuts.la/ >

BetaBagels is open to all and hosted by BetaNYC and the Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer.

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To attend, you must RSVP via https://betabagels001.eventbrite.com

Inaugural Speaker: Tamas Erkelens

“Tamas Erkelens has been Program Manager of Data Innovation at Amsterdam Municipality since 2016 and is a true believer in creating public value through data. His work focuses on using data to improve citizen services and connecting business, academia, and local government to citizen’s most pressing needs.” < https://whitehallmedia.co.uk/blog/2018/02/08/interview-tamas-erkelens-amsterdam/ >

Amsterdam was awarded European Capital of Innovation in 2017 by the European Commission for its Digital Social Innovation approach. In Amsterdam’s government agile in house software developmers are creating solutions with policy experts and citizens. Overcoming barriers in a traditional organization, Tamas explains how Amsterdam in the past 3 years has created a tech savvy government (>200 civic tech staff) from scratch, why many great ideas have failed too, and what is yet to be done to solve more of citizens real problems.

Data science can deliver results for social good, if applied correctly. Time series modeling to address over tourism in the city, machine learning to distribute 311 reports faster, and image recognition to prevent parking nuisance, are a couple of examples in Amsterdam. Combining data science with user centered front ends, teams of in house agile developers create products and services that respect people’s privacy and digital rights. After the presentation there’ll be a discussion how civic tech communities and local governments across the world can unite to create solutions together.

This presentation will give us a snapshot of what is happening in Amsterdam and lessons we can bring to New York City.

This presentation will be recorded.

About Tamas Erkelens

Aiming to add public value using data in Amsterdam, Tamas Erkelens heads the Program of Data Innovation for the City of Amsterdam. The program aims to kick start innovation projects, set the conditions for tech innovation, create a fertile civic tech community, and open policy challenges to partners. With a new progressive city government Tamas’ team aims to realize a very ambitious digital program. Previously, Tamas – graduated with honors as Research Master of Quantitative Social Sciences – has worked for ING as a Product Owner. Missing a moral balance in his life, he then started working for a better society, first as co-founder of Data Mission connecting nerds to societal problems, and since 2014 as a public servant. You can find Tamas in his spare time as a stereotypical ‘Dutchie’ riding his bicycle through the city.

Agenda:

8:50 AM - Please cue up at the South Tower's security entrance
9:00 - Networking Breakfast — BAGELS, fruit, juice, and coffee
9:30 - Presentation
10:15 - Question and Answers and/or Additional Networking
11:00 - Event Ends

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To attend, you must RSVP via https://betabagels001.eventbrite.com