“Twente has everything to become a leader in AI”

AI inspirer – a special role: how did your fascination with AI begin?

“I studied business information management and have been working for almost twenty years in digital agencies both in the Netherlands and abroad. In a way, I’ve grown organically with the rise of AI. In fact, I’ve been fascinated by it since my teenage years. I remember how deeply The Matrix impressed me when I was seventeen. After the movie, I went to a café with my girlfriend to end our date nicely, but all I could think about was: what if stories like this become reality? What if we humans become capable of giving intelligence to a computer? The idea that I could witness these things becoming real in my lifetime is incredibly exciting.”

Exciting, but maybe also a bit frightening? Science fiction doesn’t always end well.

“That’s true. Artificial intelligence doesn’t always evoke a positive image for everyone. Think of a film like The Terminator, where AI designed to protect the world becomes self-aware and decides to wipe out humanity. Even current news often paints a bleak picture, with jobs becoming redundant due to AI and people ending up on the streets. Persistent fears like these are exactly what I actively work to counter. We shouldn’t be afraid of AI — we should embrace it.”

Why is embracing AI so important?

“The government has classified AI as a ‘system technology,’ putting it on the same level as the arrival of electricity or the combustion engine. AI is fundamentally changing the way we work, produce, learn, and care. We are at the beginning of a completely new era. If you don’t adapt now, you risk being overwhelmed by a wave of change in the coming years. The question then becomes: can you ride the wave with those who have developed, or will you drown? I fear the latter for some companies and governments. Yet, I see that most companies and organizations — as we Tukkers like to do — are still cautiously observing. We don’t have to sprint immediately, but we do need to start moving. Doing nothing is not an option. In my role, I help by giving lectures, training, and advice about AI and encouraging adoption.”

How can AI further help Twente?

“For example, by addressing bottlenecks in the labor market. AI can accelerate many steps in work processes. Think of: writing meeting notes, converting work orders into invoice texts, reading waybills, generating reports based on company data, customer service — you name it. In every company, you can find ten tasks that AI can simplify and speed up. Not only does this free up time to focus on your actual core business, but it also allows more work to be done without additional staff — which sometimes simply aren’t available. AI can also generate huge cost savings. Take Nijhof Wassink from Rijssen: together with the University of Twente, they developed an AI model that identifies the most efficient times and locations for truckers to refuel. The application saves between €650,000 and €950,000 annually, according to calculations. That money can be reinvested in staff, R&D, or better procurement. And this is just one link in their process. Honestly, it’s foolish not to apply AI. My message is simple: find out how AI can work for you.”

Can Twente as a region play a role in answering this question?

“Absolutely. I see a huge opportunity for Twente to play a role in the further development of AI. We have a strong technical foundation with the University of Twente, Saxion, our rich business community, and our industrial history. If we collaborate now, invest in research and education, and stimulate startups, we can create a joint push that positions us at the forefront not only nationally but also at the European level. This brings economic benefits as well as societal gains by retaining and attracting talent. But time is ticking. If we want to be pioneers, we need to embrace AI together in the next two to three years. Twente’s modesty is a virtue, but I dare say we are one of the smartest and most beautiful regions in the country, and that’s how we should profile ourselves. We have all the knowledge and expertise in-house. This is our chance.”