Computers Don't Byte

Episodes

S02 / E14 - 25 March 2025

Mitra Baratchi: Designing the perfect algorithm to understand the world

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.

S02 / E13 - 11 March 2025

Peter van der Putten: Tamagotchi, a precursor to today’s human loved home robots

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. ...

S02 / E12 - 25 February 2025

Hao Wang: From Amsterdam to Paris, real-life applications of Pareto optimum

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.

S02 / E11 - 11 February 2025

Lu Cao: Hay Fever, how AI improves pollen monitoring

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...

S02 / E10 - 28 January 2025

Joost Broekens: Robots & Emotions, are we moving from AI to EI?

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 aff...

S01 / E09 - 02 July 2024

Vedran Dunjko: Next level computing, exploring the world of quantum

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 effor...

S01 / E08 - 18 June 2024

Hazel Doughty: Video Understanding, a step towards the real world

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...

S01 / E07 - 04 June 2024

Jan van Rijn: Robustness, unveiling the black box of AI

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 trustworth...

S01 / E06 - 20 May 2024

Tessa Verhoef: Robots, a way to better understand humans

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-lik...

S01 / E05 - 06 May 2024

Rob van Nieuwpoort: Efficient computing, a journey starting with a Commodore 64

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 sto...

About Computers Don't Byte

Computer scientists who are at the forefront of their respected fields attempt to explain what on earth they're doing.

Computers don't byte is a series by the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS). 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, this podcast offers knowledge and inspiration.

Content: LIACS

Host: Michiel van Poelgeest

Produced by: Studio Onzichtbaar

Podcast