Sustainable digital world
Utrecht University is committed to a digital world where technology is not only smart and efficient but also responsible and focused on the well-being of people and the planet. Over the coming month, the Faculty of Science will highlight how fundamental and applied research contributes to the development of new digital technologies. Additionally, attention will be given to research on digital wisdom and information management, as well as the use of technology for sustainable solutions.
Digitalisation as a Key to Societal Progress
Digital technology has become an inseparable part of our daily lives and plays a crucial role in addressing societal challenges. Applications in healthcare, education, and combating misinformation demonstrate how digitalisation can have a positive impact. The faculty focuses on the development and responsible application of technology, with an emphasis on creating societal value and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. This not only enables innovative research but also supports relevant education and tangible impact.
AI and Data for a Better Understanding of the World
The faculty harnesses the power of data and artificial intelligence to drive scientific progress. Students and professionals are trained to handle data responsibly and securely. Within the AI Labs, researchers and experts from various sectors collaborate to develop transparent and reliable AI systems that align with ethical values.
Educating the Next Generation
In addition to developing new technologies, the university explores innovative ways to regulate them. By educating the next generation of technologists and researchers, the faculty contributes to a future where smart systems are deployed safely and responsibly. At the same time, vigilance remains crucial to prevent potential risks and misuse, ensuring that the benefits of digitalisation are maximised without negative consequences.
This is how we work on sustainable digital world
‘We were seen as programmers rather than proper researchers’
As a young researcher in Utrecht, he focused on studying artificial intelligence when this was little more than abstract science. Now he is a professor and AI has found its way into the very core of society as well as the university. Twenty years of AI research at the Faculty of Science, seen through Mehdi Dastani's eyes.
A robot as a buddy in healthcare? “Children really see it as a friend”
Can social robots help children during medical procedures and provide emotional support? PhD candidate Anouk Neerincx investigated how robots can reduce stress in healthcare environments and discovered that children respond surprisingly positively. On 24 March, she will defend her dissertation at Utrecht University.
Quantum middleware: the glue between bits and qubits
Quantum computers will most probably revolutionize computing. However, the future of quantum computing largely depends on its integration with classical computing, as a complete shift to quantum will probably never happen—and certainly not overnight. The foreseeable future will be hybrid, where quantum and classical hardware and software systems coexist within one framework.
Video: Diversity in language models
Meet Dong Nguyen, assistant professor in Computer Science. She is doing research on the impact of data diversity on the quality of language models. In her project, she aims to develop methods to accurately measure the diversity of a dataset and investigate how this diversity influences the behavior of a language model. The goal: to create fairer and more robust language models by placing diversity at the core of their training process.
Part of the year theme 2025
Healthy Planet is Utrecht University's 2025 theme. With this innovative and highly relevant year theme, we showcase the knowledge we are developing and our collaboration with external partners. Staff and students from various disciplines contribute to the theme during the year.
