Tammes Talks (7 Oct)
Tammes Talks is a new initiative at the JTS. In short, they are shared Theme Coordinator events, during which we bring the JTS (sub)communities together not only to discuss their respective interests, but also to provide a larger picture of trends or challenges in the current digital landscape. We aim to grow Tammes Talks into one of our flagship events, serving as a focal point to our motto, "digital prosperity for all".
Programme
[14:00 - 15:30] Digital Literacy & Inclusion - Digital inclusion: A Roundtable on Energy Efficiency Subsidies in the Northern Netherlands
In this roundtable discussion, we will focus on the energy-efficiency subsidy application process in the Northern Netherlands.
We’re bringing together local experts from the municipality, researchers from the University of Groningen, volunteers and businesses to talk about how going digital affects access to these important subsidies - and what it means for an inclusive and greener future in our region. Speakers: Roos van Bronkhorst (Communicatieadviseur Duurzaam Groningen), Eelke Ploeg (general manager EnergiePloeg); Maud Rebergen (PhD student, Research Centre for Media and Journalism Studies) and José Grabiel Luis Cordova (researcher, Groningen Centre for Energy Law and Sustainability). Moderator: Olga Pasitselska (researcher, Research Centre for Media and Journalism Studies)
[14:00 - 15:30] Digital Sovereignty & Data Autonomy - A brainstorming session on the impact of big tech companies and AI on broad well-being
AI can boost productivity and innovation and help solve societal challenges, but at the same time raises questions about who benefits, who controls the technology, what dependence on Big Tech entails, and which public values may come under pressure. For overall well-being, it is precisely this combination that matters: not just greater prosperity, but also its distribution, autonomy, quality of work, social relationships, democratic participation, and environmental impacts.
How can we prevent technological progress from leading to greater inequality, dependence, or a loss of human connection and meaningful work? How can AI contribute to better healthcare and education, smarter use of scarce resources, more sustainable production, more accessible public services, and improved quality of work and life?
[14:00 - 15:30] Autonomous Systems - Automated driving: what's next?
Automated driving is moving towards reality. With the adoption of new legislation, automated vehicles could be allowed on public roads. Yet, challenges remain. This session will explore these persisting challenges from legal, technical and governance perspectives as well as research opportunities together with Saeed Ahmed (assistant professor at the Faculty of Science and Engineering) and Ehetasham Tahir (technical director autonomous mobility at the Province of Groningen). Jasper van der Velde (Hive.Mobility) will briefly share insights on setting up mobility research collaborations with stakeholders outside of academia. How can we shape the next steps towards the introduction of automated driving?
[14:00 - 15:30] Applied AI - Applied AI from multiple viewpoints
A panel of experts from different areas and application domains of AI will first set out their views on AI, and discuss recent developements in this ever broadening field. This includes the roles of explainability and trust. After a series of short presentations, there will be a panel discussion, chaired by Michael Wilkinson (theme coordinator Applied AI of the JTS). Confirmed speakers include prof. Kerstin Bunte of the Intelligent Systems group of Computer Science, dr. Erik Aarntzen of the Nuclear Medicine Department of the UMCG, and prof. Jilles Dibangoye of the Machine Learning group of Artificial Intelligence.
[15:45 - 16:30] Dr Sebastiaan Mathôt’s keynote speech: 'Human intelligence in times of AI'
Sebastiaan Mathot is an associate professor at the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences. He will begin by explaining the concept of intelligence as it is used in psychology, and then examine AI through that lens. From there, he will explore what AI might mean for the development of human intelligence, specifically, the risk that people will outsource cognitive tasks to AI and, as a result, develop fewer cognitive skills themselves. This will be linked to recent negative trends in intelligence and learning skills, such as the decline reflected in recent PISA scores. Finally, he will connect this discussion to how HeymansAI is currently being developed and used, highlighting both the opportunities and the associated risks.
[16:30 - 17:15] Networking drinks