Computers Don't Byte

Assistant Professor Hazel Doughty specializes in computer vision, aiming to enable computers to automatically understand visual content. Her research focuses on video understanding, where thousands of videos with text descriptions are fed to the computer. Her project, "From What to How," seeks to advance computers from identifying actions to understanding how they are performed, though this is currently limited by insufficient data.

Ultimately, her goal is for computers to independently analyze videos and comprehend methods used in various tasks. This would allow for the creation of assistive videos for activities like for instance proper CPR techniques.

Assistant Professor Jan van Rijn is at the forefront of research into the trustworthiness of AI systems. His work focuses on the field of machine learning, with a particular emphasis on exploring and enhancing the robustness of AI systems. Robustness is a critical component in building trustworthy machines, such as self-driving cars, where reliable performance is paramount.

Jan and his team are dedicated to developing techniques that make verification models for testing robustness more efficient. However, significant challenges remain. One of the primary obstacles is the sheer size of current AI systems, like ChatGPT, which are too large to be efficiently verified using existing methods. 

Idea by Dimitra Kouimtzidou
Research, planning & coordination by Marcel Tichelaar & Dimitra Kouimtzidou
Interview, production & editing by Michiel van Poelgeest

Assistant Professor Tessa Verhoef has a passion for robotics and is dedicated to improving the human-likeness of robots, for instance by looking into their use of language.

Her journey began with Kismet, a robot designed to convey emotions and engage in human-like interactions. While her expertise involves AI and robotics, she also delves into language evolution, exploring how languages form and transform over time. 

Idea by Dimitra Kouimtzidou
Research, planning & coordination by Marcel Tichelaar & Dimitra Kouimtzidou
Interview, production & editing by Michiel van Poelgeest

Rob van Nieuwpoort is Professor of Efficient Computing and eScience at LIACS. His research focuses mainly on augmenting the efficiency of software and applications. But it also tackles the challenges posed by large-scale simulations housed within data centers. In this era where the demand for storage capacity skyrockets, reaching a point where accommodating all data becomes impossible. 

In the 1960s, Moore's Law predicted the doubling of transistors on a chip every 2 years. Our current times finds us confronted with the constraints of chip capacity. And that is a fundamental problem for the future. But fortunately, Rob Van Nieuwpoort sees solutions.

Idea by Dimitra Kouimtzidou
Research, planning & coordination by Marcel Tichelaar & Dimitra Kouimtzidou
Interview, production & editing by Michiel van Poelgeest

Enter the realm of tomography, the work field of 'digital archaeologist' Professor Joost Batenburg. Tomography is a technique to peer into objects without taking them apart, akin to the familiar CT scan. Two-dimensional images are converted into three-dimensional images using algorithms. 

Now Professor Batenburg has created a portable device that goes around objects, capturing their insides. No longer constrained by size, this device unveils the unseen, revealing secrets within sculptures and artifacts. This provides art historians with a wealth of valuable information about the creation of these artworks.  

Idea by Dimitra Kouimtzidou
Research, planning & coordination by Marcel Tichelaar & Dimitra Kouimtzidou
Interview, production & editing by Michiel van Poelgeest

Assistant professor Max van Duijn combines cognitive science with Artificial Intelligence (AI). His research is on children’s stories and the question if they have a so-called Theory of Mind. This is the ability to understand the mental state of somebody else and use this information to explain and predict human behavior. 

But here's the twist: Max's research not only applies to the exploration of storytelling but also serves as a test for AI. With the data collection, he and his team investigate uncharted territory: Does AI possess a mind? Can entities like ChatGPT truly empathize? 

Idea by Dimitra Kouimtzidou
Research, planning & coordination by Marcel Tichelaar & Dimitra Kouimtzidou
Interview, production & editing by Michiel van Poelgeest

Niki van Stein is assistant professor at LIACS. Her research focuses on explainable artificial intelligence (AI), with a specific focus on the maritime sector. At a time when modern marine vessels are evolving into complex supercomputers on water, AI plays a crucial role in efficiently managing maintenance tasks.

However, the key to success lies in the ability of these AI systems to be understandable to both maintenance workers and crew on board. This is where Niki's research comes in: she aims to make AI accessible and understandable to everyone involved in ship maintenance.

Idea by Dimitra Kouimtzidou
Research, planning & coordination by Marcel Tichelaar & Dimitra Kouimtzidou
Interview, production & editing by Michiel van Poelgeest

Professor Suzan Verberne talks about her research on search engines and chatbots. She explains the difference between search engines such as Google, and large language models like ChatGPT.

Furthermore, contrary to what many people think, Dutch as a language is much 'bigger' than you might expect. As a country we produce vast amounts of text. But will this help LLMs to adapt to local needs? Or do humans simply need to understand this technology better, in order to make full use of it?

Idea by Dimitra Kouimtzidou
Research, planning & coordination by Marcel Tichelaar & Dimitra Kouimtzidou
Interview, production & editing by Michiel van Poelgeest

Leading computer scientists from a variety of fields share their expertise and insights. Dive into the minds of these researchers and learn about real-world applications, the future of AI and related technologies and cutting-edge research. From chatbots to cybersecurity, from quantum to children's stories, each episode offers its own perspective on the changing landscape of computer science. Whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring enthusiast, our podcast offers knowledge and inspiration. Listen to these bright minds shaping the digital world.

Content: LIACS (Leiden University)

Host: Michiel van Poelgeest

Produced by: Studio Onzichtbaar