Artificial Intelligence is studied from two perspectives in Groningen . On the one hand we try to catch human skills and natural intelligence in computer applications and working computer models. On the other hand we also attempt to improve the interaction between human and machine on the base of obtained fundamental insights.

 

Smart humans, smart computers

Knowledge, autonomy and intelligence are generally considered as typically human functions. However, over the last couple of years, it has turned out that computers can also be equipped with human functions. Although these intelligent systems are still in their infancy, there are already many possibilities: some systems can recognize handwriting, others can explore unknown landscapes completely independently or they can assist a doctor while diagnosing a disease. Scientists in the AI field have the essential knowledge and skills for designing these systems.

 

Human-computer interaction

More and more things in daily life are automized. Nowadays, even elderly people that have never touched a computer before are confronted with machines on places where they found humans in former times, like the ticket machine on the train station. As such technologies are completely unknown to them, elderly often have hesitant attitudes towards these machines. Nevertheless, these modern applications are ideal just for elderly people. Wouldn’t it be easy if the mobility challenged could order their groceries from their living room? It would then be crucial that the user understands the program. For this reason, we pay much attention to the interaction between human and machine.