In the media, but also during conversations at, say, a birthday, you can't avoid artificial intelligence, or AI, since a year or two. It was an exciting topic for movies and books, but now, partly due to Chat GPT, it has become tangible for everyone and offers plenty of opportunities. How good is the Lifeport region actually at AI? And what can an average company do with it?
Tom Heskes has been involved with AI for a long time. He has been a professor in that field at Radboud University since 2008. He is also vice-dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science. "Of course, I myself also notice that AI has become much better known in recent years," he says. "Looking from my field, I saw a huge acceleration even before the advent of ChatGPT. Ten years ago, there was a breakthrough in that you could use deep learning to analyse images properly. That made all kinds of applications possible, for example in radiology. Indeed, the second breakthrough came because of language models like ChatGPT. That has been fairly gradual, but the difference is that they are now much more accessible to the average user. Besides, the models are also getting better and better. Yes, I myself am still often surprised by what they can do. But sometimes also in a negative sense, because they still do stupid things too."
Excellent research
He is proud of the position ‘his’ RU holds in the field of AI. “All universities in the Netherlands are actively engaged in AI, because it is simply a very important subject. Radboud University is no exception. And I think we’re doing a brilliant job of it. Last year, fellowships from the AiNed investment programme were awarded. Each university was eligible for three. We were the only university to actually secure all three.”
Jan van Dellen, director of The Economic Board, shares that enthusiasm, but also makes a comment. "Knowledge institutions at university, HBO and MBO level are working on AI. There is a lot of great research going on. I do think it is still too much stuck in there. It is still not used enough in practice, for the challenges at hand. Think of the labour market shortages."
But there is room for improvement, he says. “Grid congestion poses a major challenge. As a business or a new home, you can’t simply get connected to an already full electricity grid. Radboud University, HAN University of Applied Sciences and Alliander are now working together on this to see whether AI can be part of the solution.” Heskes confirms this. “Together with Alliander, we’re looking at how AI can help solve key issues in the world of energy.”
Companies are still finding their feet
Both Heskes and Van Dellen have noticed that SMEs, in particular, are still unsure how to make the most of AI. Heskes: “You can see that companies are still feeling their way. There are still many opportunities that are not being exploited.” Van Dellen: “SMEs still find AI difficult, and I can well understand that. As a business, you’re very busy with day-to-day operations. Entrepreneurs certainly don’t have it easy, with the pandemic just behind us and the challenges of staff shortages. As a result, you don’t always embrace new technology straight away.”
The SME Datalab-East has now been set up specifically for this group, with the Radboud University (RU) among those involved. Heskes: “Through this, we offer workshops. But we can also have students carry out research into what AI can mean for a business. In this way, students give businesses a taste of AI and help them take the next step.” Van Dellen adds: “As a company, you can opt for an analysis, or for students to build an application. It’s an accessible initiative that has already produced a great many positive outcomes.”
Combination with health
“In a few sub-fields of AI, we as a region are truly at the forefront,” says Heskes. He had previously mentioned the intersection with energy, but the combination with health is also of interest. To illustrate this, he refers to the three fellowships secured by Radboud University. “These went to young scientists, all three of whom are focusing on the intersection of AI and medical applications. That is truly our strength as a university, in collaboration with Radboudumc.”
“The region is home to some fantastic AI start-ups, such as Thirona, which specialises in analysing lung images, and Screenpoint, which is an international leader in the interpretation of mammograms,” he continues. “There are also companies that are successfully using AI to bring about improvements. Take, for example, the so-called ICAI labs, such as Alliander’s AI for Energy Grids Lab and the ASMPT Lab, which focuses on the use of AI in the semiconductor industry.”
Van Dellen cites another example. "At the Radboudumc, AI is used for blood tests in cancer patients. This allows patients to receive more targeted radiation, making it less often necessary. Much nicer for the patient and, in addition, it also saves on costs and the amount of staff needed."
Well under way
Van Dellen sees plenty of opportunities for the region, including in another area within AI. “We know a great deal about behaviour in the region, particularly thanks to the Donders Institute. They look, for example, at behaviour in tackling the problem of excessive rubbish in a particular neighbourhood. That lends itself very well to combining with AI. As a region, we’re global leaders in that kind of research. Of course, you also have to pay very close attention to the rules regarding the GDPR, but we’re capable of that too.”
Heskes is equally positive. "Besides understanding the technology here, we also have a good grasp of the ethical and legal aspects. We know what is and is not allowed and what is morally justified. That combination makes us very strong in the field of AI. There is always room for improvement, but we are really well on our way."
