Computers Don't Byte

Assistant professor Daria Soydaner explores how AI and art collide, revealing why creativity, perception, and machine learning are far more intertwined than they seem. From testing whether large language models can recognize artistic styles to imagining a ‘museum buddy’ that guides visitors through galleries, this episode uncovers how technology might reshape the way we experience culture. Soydane...

In this episode a surprising crossover between ancient archaeology and modern computer science. Anthropologist‑turned‑computer‑scientist Sebastian Fajardo Bernal reveals how early humans developed complex technologies like birch‑bark glue, and how their problem‑solving strategies mirror the logic behind today’s algorithms. It’s a fresh look at innovation through the lens of deep history. Sebastian...

In this episode postdoc in Hybrid Intelligence Centre, Tom Kouwenhoven tells all about his research which focusses on how humans and machines learn to communicate. From chatbot misunderstandings to experiments where people and AI invent entirely new languages, Tom shows how collaboration can work even when both sides interpret information differently. The conversation also dives into visual intuit...

Assistant-porfessor Anna Dawid outlines how quantum technologies are rapidly moving from theoretical science to practical innovation. She explains how the unusual behavior of quantum particles could lead to breakthroughs such as room temperature superconductors and advanced materials with major industrial impact. Anna also presents her Tetris CNN project, a transparent neural network approach desi...

Mathematician and optimization expert Elena Raponi takes us from car‑crash simulations to her teenage quest for the perfect pizza. Through her stories, she reveals how Bayesian thinking shapes the way we learn, explore, and refine our choices—whether we’re comparing pizza places or navigating complex engineering problems. The conversation dives into black‑box optimization, algorithm design, and th...

Game AI expert Mike Preuss takes us from the world of Go‑playing algorithms to cutting‑edge chemistry. Hear how Monte Carlo Tree Search, the technique behind AlphaGo, helped enable the first fully automated method for chemical retrosynthesis—an achievement published in Nature. The Game Lab that Mike runs at LIACS improves game mechanics, collaborates across disciplines, and uses games for educatio...

In this episode, assistant professor Eleftheria Makri takes us from a classic 1980s cryptography puzzle to today’s urgent questions about data privacy, secure computation, and the looming impact of quantum computing. Through clear examples—from billionaire dinner bills to medical diagnostics—she shows how we can extract useful insights from data without ever exposing the data itself. Makri explain...

All systems are go! Assistant professor Henning Basold guides us through the fascinating world of systems—from the biological structures that make us who we are to the complex cyber‑physical systems behind rockets, trains, and self‑driving cars.   How do category theory, logic, and formal verification help us understand, model, and secure the technologies we rely on every day. Why do systems fail?...

What’s the difference between a zebra and a zebrafish? Assistant professor Rita Pucci, who works at both LIACS and Naturalis, brings together biodiversity and computer science. She’s developing a model that can recognise unique skin patterns of individual animals within a herd: a breakthrough that could transform how wildlife is monitored. It could also reveal whether inbreeding is occurring—cruci...

How can data help speed skaters push past their limits? Associate Professor Arno Knobbe specializes in sports data science. His research dives deep into the tiny details that can decide the outcome of a race. How and where do speed skaters find tenths of seconds to beat their rivals? Arno's research helps olympic athletes study the 'corners' of the ice rink, where, as it turns out, every athlete n...

Associate Professor Joost Broekens and Assistant Professor Thomas Moerland explore the rapid rise of AI. Are we in the middle of a hype cycle, or is something truly transformative happening? And how do we keep these increasingly powerful systems safe? These questions—and more—drive this new CDB episode.  AI brings huge advantages, but not without trade‑offs. Is today’s AI revolution comparable to...

What if a childhood game could unlock the mysteries of quantum mechanics? In this episode, we sit down with Assistant Professor Evert van Nieuwenburg to explore how Tiq Taq Toe is revolutionizing the way we learn physics. Through interactive gameplay, this innovative tool makes abstract quantum concepts more intuitive and engaging. Whether you're a science enthusiast or just curious about learning...

Can AI revolutionize elderly care? Professor Marco Spruit, an expert in translational data science, is developing Well-being AI—a smart pet robot that provides companionship while monitoring health through language markers. This technology could ease pressure on healthcare services by detecting early signs of decline and alerting caregivers. Beyond professional care, these intelligent robots could...

How can nature-inspired evolution help us create the perfect optical lens? Assistant Professor Anna Kononova explores this question in her research. High-tech industries, like computer chip manufacturers, require ultra-precise lenses to keep up with the demand for increasingly complex designs. Anna uses evolutionary computing, a technique that mimics natural selection. Just as nature evolves the f...

Ever wondered how algorithms make sense of complex problems? In this episode, we dive deep into the art of designing algorithms with associate professor Mitra Baratchi. Exploring how computers process data, find connections, and deliver insights. While algorithms can solve many challenges, there are limits to their accuracy. How can researchers identify these gaps and guide users toward the best s...

How and why do humans form relationships with AI? This question lies at the core of Assistant Professor Peter van der Putten’s research. While AI sparks fear—raising concerns about its impact on our place in the universe—it also fascinates us, offering glimpses into an unknown future. But can we truly bond with AI? It’s one thing to feel attached to a humanoid robot or a robotic pet, but what abou...

In this episode, LIACS Assistant Professor Hao Wang shares insights into multi-criteria optimization and the concept of the Pareto optimum. Discover how these powerful techniques, often used in decision-making and problem-solving, can help you plan the perfect trip. Whether you’re balancing cost, travel time, and comfort or choosing between destinations, learn how mathematical models can guide you...

The hay fever season lasts longer than it used to because of climate change. LIACS Assistant Professor Lu Cao explains how machine learning and AI can help to easier count pollen in the air. This improves the accuracy and efficiency of pollen monitoring, a critical tool for understanding seasonal allergies, air quality, and climate impact. Discover how AI-driven technologies can improve the accura...

Can robots feel joy or guilt? Can they have emotions at all? Today, we dive into the fascinating world of "affective" computing with Associate Professor Joost Broekens, a leading expert in the field. But what exactly is affective computing? We also tackle the ethical challenges of AI-emotion interaction, exploring topics like the European AI Act, which bans emotion recognition in education and the...

Professor Vedran Dunjko leads the Applied Quantum Algorithms group at Leiden University. His research focuses on quantum computing, which uses quantum effects to greatly improve computation. This could lead to much more powerful computers. Developing a working quantum computer is an ongoing effort, bringing both exciting possibilities and potential security risks because of its superior computing...

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 cur...

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 de...

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 t...

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 196...

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 lo...