Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Tom Heskes, and as a teacher and researcher within the Computing Science and Artificial Intelligence programmes, I help students find their way in the world of AI. Although as vice-dean of research I have less time to teach, I still love exploring new ideas about AI together with students. With years of experience in artificial intelligence, I have seen many trends and hypes come and go. This gives me good insight into what is truly groundbreaking and what is mainly marketing talk.
AI is a field full of exciting developments, and I enjoy helping students understand and contribute to them. Besides my work at the university, I have been involved with various AI spin-offs and am committed to increasing AI literacy, even outside the university. Perhaps our paths will cross in a lecture, project, or discussion about the future of AI!
Why did you choose to study/work in this field? What makes this field so interesting?
What immediately grabbed me in this field is the combination of theoretical puzzle-solving and practical application. Developing new AI methods – a mix of mathematics, algorithms, and creative programming – and then being able to immediately apply them to solve real problems remains amazing every time. Whether it's medical diagnostics, sustainability, or smart technology, AI offers endless possibilities to make an impact. This combination of intellectual work and direct application is what makes this field so interesting to me.
What are you currently researching?
My research focuses on machine learning: developing AI methods that learn from data. I work on both the theoretical side – developing new methods and better understanding them – and their practical application. The latter is often done in collaboration with experts from other fields. For example, we work with clinicians on better treatment methods for Parkinson's disease, help grid operators like Alliander make the electricity grid more robust, and support other scientists with complex issues, such as automatically generating mathematical proofs or detecting gravitational waves. AI opens doors to surprising applications, and that's what makes this research so exciting.
What tip do you have for students who are choosing their field of study?
Choose something you enjoy and through which you can make an impact. The best scenario is when you study with pleasure while contributing to the world around you.
What do you enjoy most about working with students?
The best part is when students suddenly understand how AI works and why it's so powerful. That moment when theory and practice come together and they become enthusiastic about developing new things themselves. Moreover, their questions and fresh ideas help me stay current in this rapidly developing field.