Integrating the technology of Artificial Intelligence into existing systems is what Stijn Hoppenbrouwers, lecturer in Model-Based Information Systems at Arnhem Nijmegen University of Applied Sciences (HAN), is concerned with. "That may all sound a little less sexy than 'intelligence that outpaces humans', but for many companies it is actually much more interesting," he says.
Artificial Intelligence (AI), is an important part of the new Master Applied Data Science (MADS) at HAN. A part-time master, which involves working at a company at the same time. A necessary combination according to Hoppenbrouwers: "We are looking for people who really have their feet in the clay when it comes to this topic."
The applied approach of AI
“When it comes to Artificial Intelligence (AI), there are two schools of thought. The futuristic one, which looks at the fantastic – and sometimes frightening – stories of intelligence that surpasses that of humans.” Hoppenbrouwers explains that HAN’s approach is different: “We are fully engaged with AI and Data Science, but we focus more on applications related to machine learning and deep learning – areas where fantastic things are already possible today. It’s a practical approach.”"That applied approach of AI is much more interesting for many companies, including SMEs"
Cooperation with companies and knowledge institutes
HAN is involved in the Dutch AI Coalition. Within the region, HAN collaborates with various companies and knowledge institutions. These include Alliander in Arnhem, the ICT division of the Tax and Customs Administration, and Hyster Yale in Nijmegen. In the healthcare sector, HAN works with Radboudumc and the Sint Maartenskliniek.In the field of Artificial Intelligence, there is an important link between HAN University of Applied Sciences and Radboud University Nijmegen (RU). “That link is very strong – and essential. Because when it comes to research funding, universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands fare much worse than universities. At the same time, the added value for RU lies in the combination of traditional academic research with a practice-oriented approach.”
HAN's AI network is strongly under construction. Hoppenbrouwers looks at it with pleasure: "A simmering cauldron of all kinds of initiatives, that's how I see it. And I think HAN can play a very nice central role in the region, as part of the national and European knowledge ecology around AI."
