An AI tool that helps non-native speakers learn Dutch on the work floor
We held a press event at the Noord-Limburgs Open Atelier where we showed our AI-supported tablet tool to the press. We built a tool for Open Atelier that helps non-native Dutch speakers learn the language while they work, and it was picked up by several regional and national outlets.
Digital work instructions are widely used on production floors, but they usually assume native-language proficiency and reading fluency. That creates a barrier for workers who are building professional and language skills at the same time. Our tool overlays existing digital work instructions with an optional support layer: workers can tap any word for an instant translation into their own language, save difficult vocabulary, and practice it later through automatically generated quizzes. The instructions stay primarily in Dutch and the assistance only appears when it is needed, so learners keep engaging with the language while they do their job.
The Open Atelier is a social employment organisation with sites in Pelt, Lommel and Turnhout. It employs around 130 workers from 23 nationalities across woodworking, metalworking and logistics, so Dutch proficiency is often a first requirement for moving on to other employers. The project was made possible with support from the Nationale Loterij.
The technical approach behind the tool is described in our EISEAIT 2026 paper "Words at Work: In-Context Dutch Learning through Low-Interruption AI Integration in Digital Work Instructions" by Maria Hendrikx, Eva Geurts and myself. Maria developed the software.
In the press
- VRT NWS: AI-tool helpt anderstalige werknemers Nederlands leren op de werkvloer (7 July 2026)
- Het Belang van Limburg: Nederlands leren tussen het lassen of verpakken door AI-tool
- TV Limburg: AI als taalleerkracht op de werkvloer
- Kanaal Z: AI op de werkvloer (7 July 2026, segment at 5:11)
Background from our own Digital Future Lab (UHasselt / Flanders Make): Nieuwe AI-tool van UHasselt en Noord-Limburgs Open Atelier helpt anderstalige medewerkers Nederlands leren op de werkvloer.