Newsflash Faculty of Science: the significance of AI for work and research, vulnerable grasslands, and more…

At Utrecht University’s Faculty of Science, we are committed to keeping you informed about the latest developments, breakthroughs, and achievements that shape our academic landscape. In this newsflash, you will find quick, bite-sized updates on a range of topics that we wish to share with you in addition to the other, more extensive articles in our newsfeed.

Roderik van de Wal Appointed at KNMI for research on sea level rise

As of March 1, 2025, Roderik van de Wal has been appointed as a scientific figurehead at KNMI, where he will focus on the role of melting ice sheets in sea level rise. With this appointment, he strengthens the collaboration between Utrecht University and KNMI, particularly in linking ice sheet dynamics with climate models.

"I hope that through this collaboration, we will gain a better understanding of the role Antarctica plays in future sea level rise," says Van de Wal. He will work at KNMI one day per week, contributing to the further advancement of research on sea level changes.

Eurasian grasslands are more vulnerable to extreme drought than North American grasslands

A recent study published in Nature reveals that grasslands in Eurasia are more sensitive to extreme droughts than those in North America. The findings come from the Extreme Drought in Grasslands Experiment, a four-year experiment conducted by an international team of researchers, including Utrecht University associate professor Yann Hautier and postdoc Chong Xu. The observed differences highlight how regional biodiversity shapes the resistance of ecosystems to extreme droughts.

The researchers simulated drought conditions during the growing season and measured the impact on grasslands in both regions. They found that Eurasian grassland showed a greater decline in productivity (44%), or the amount of growth, than North American grasslands (25%). Also, in Eurasia, initially the number of different plant species increased, but it ended up being lower after four years of drought. In North America, the response was opposite: the number of different species initially dropped but ended up higher. Furthermore, less common plant species declined further in Eurasian grasslands, but increased in North American ones.

Yann Hautier: “Our results highlight the vulnerability of Eurasian compared to North American grasslands to extreme drought and emphasize the critical role of less common species in shaping ecosystem resilience. Understanding these regional differences is essential for predicting climate change impacts and informing grassland conservation strategies.” Chong Xu: “We are now investigating the underlying mechanisms driving the contrasting responses of Eurasian and North American grasslands to extreme drought. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive explanation for the strikingly different sensitivities of these two major grassland biomes in the Northern Hemisphere”.

Utrecht researchers on the significance of AI for work and research

What does the growing power of AI mean for your work or research? This was the Annual Question of 2024 posed by Beste ID, a Dutch online platform for thinkers. Eight researchers from Utrecht University, representing various faculties, shared their insights.

From the Faculty of Science, computer scientist and professor Mehdi Dastani contributed an opinion piece to the platform. He emphasises the necessity of multidisciplinary collaboration to design responsible AI systems that are not only intelligent but also uphold values such as safety and reliability.

Frank Gerits, Antal van den Bosch and Jan Broersen (Humanities) highlight the risks and limitations of using artificial intelligence. Broersen questions whether AI can reduce inequality or, instead, exacerbate it. Antal van den Bosch warns of the dangers of AI, such as inherent bias, the use of illegally sourced training data, and a lack of transparency. Frank Gerits argues that AI cannot solve existential problems like climate change and inequality, as these do not stem from a lack of knowledge but rather from ideological and societal conflicts that AI cannot resolve.

Mathias Boënne from the School of Economics warns against losing our sense of wonder and discovery when relying too much on AI-driven suggestions. Psychiatrist Floortje Scheepers (UMCU) is also critical—while AI has the potential to improve many areas, she warns that genuine human connection is essential for a resilient society.

Appy Sluijs and Detlef van Vuurenfrom the Faculty of Geosciences also responded to the question of what the growing power of AI means for their work. Climate scientist Detlef van Vuuren considers it likely that AI could eventually be used in designing climate models, though there are doubts about the extent to which this will be possible.

Read all contributions on Beste ID: What does the growing power of AI mean for your research or work? – Beste ID