Eric, let's start at the beginning: Can you briefly tell us who you are and where you're from?
My name is Eric Postma and I am a Professor of Artificial Intelligence (AI). I work at Tilburg University and am affiliated with MindLabs. I also work one day a week at the Jheronimus Academy of Data Science (JADS) in 's-Hertogenbosch. This is a collaboration between Tilburg University and Eindhoven University of Technology.
And what do you do in your everyday working life?
I'm a professor. That means you have to think about both research and education. That's what it comes down to in a nutshell.
So you're the expert on AI. When did this interest originate?
A long time ago, in fact. I was interested in perception and pattern recognition; how that works in people and whether you could simulate or understand that with a computer. Ever since I was a child, I've been fascinated by how it is possible to perceive and see things. I wanted to know how that works. You could of course become a neuroscientist but that would only teach you something about the wet content of your brain. You still won't know anything about the how and the why. Then I came into contact with AI...
What training did you receive?
I started with physics but that was only for one year. Via my psychology studies, I went on to study cognitive science in Nijmegen. AI didn't exist at that time. At least, it wasn't a course you could take. And cognitive science came closest. After that, I continued with a PhD in AI. And since then I've only been concerned with AI.
Was AI interesting because you turned out to be good at it? Or did you get good at it because you found it interesting?
I was always interested in it. And if you find something interesting, you will run harder for it. That doesn't necessarily mean that you're good at it but you do enjoy your work, and that helps.
What's your role in MindLabs?
At Tilburg University, I am attached to the Cognitive Science and AI (CSAI) department, which has links to MindLabs. At MindLabs, for example, I am involved in Regiodeal projects. And I often work on events.
What was the deciding factor; why did you join MindLabs?
I've never really thought about it. But Max Louwerse is a colleague of mine, and he has an important role in MindLabs, so I thought: Max is there, so I'm in, too.
How long have you been a member of the family?
From the very beginning! I don't really know how long that's been.
You bring a lot of knowledge and expertise with you. By sharing information through different avenues. The webinar "CAREfree Data Sharing" at the beginning of June, for example. Why do you think participation in such initiatives is so important?
A university graduate is paid from public money so you don't sit around doing nothing; you work very hard to give back to education. But I also think it's important to share your knowledge or experiences gained through research with society. Because as far as AI is concerned in particular, you still hear a lot of nonsense. And a lot of hype. I think it's important to put everything into context so that a more nuanced and sober view of this topic emerges.
It's the month of Smart Health. To what extent will healthcare be possible in the future without the involvement of AI?
AI is going to be a very important part of healthcare. In fact, it already is and that will only grow. It allows us to make healthcare cheaper, more efficient and more reliable. You can imagine that with strong AI – which we now have – you can have certain tasks done for you. Think, for example, of a doctor who has to review and analyse a large quantity of X-ray images; you want that doctor to have plenty of time for the difficult cases. So he doesn't have to take time out to look at the easy cases. AI can contribute to this.
But this can't be achieved by technology alone. It's very important to include the human element, the medical expert, to ensure good healthcare. After all, it's not the case that it is all done and dusted as soon as you put in a device. No, that's when the challenge actually begins. So you have to make sure that the doctor knows what you can and can't do with AI. Because AI is very powerful but not very smart. And you mustn't ignore the human dimension – about what's important to people.
Why should everyone watch the webinar? Because it's not only interesting to 'geeks', is it?
Because it presents a realistic picture of what you can and can't do with AI. And that it's not a threat, but an opportunity. By the way, you don't have to be or become a techie. But I think it makes sense for everyone to at least be open-minded and know a little bit about what is possible.
Do you gain any new information during such an event? Or are you just providing information?
I share, but I do of course get information back about what's going on. For example, I didn't know about the initiative with fall sensors that detect when someone falls. And I saw that the institution in question uses a certain type of camera for which we already have better techniques. So I also learn something from the practical domain during such an event.
What for you is the ultimate goal of your cooperation with MindLabs?
I want to share my knowledge. It's very interesting to do fundamental research, of course. To lock yourself up in your room and work in a very aloof way. But it is also tremendously beneficial for fundamental research if you work on practical research. For practical problems. Because then you encounter things you would never have thought of otherwise. So for me it's about that combination of sharing knowledge and strengthening my own research insights.
Do you use your expertise in other ways as well?
Yes, in many ways actually. I'm giving lectures all the time. Also children's lectures, for example. And lectures in hospitals. These are usually linked to projects. I did this at JADS for many years but now I'm winding it down a bit because it got too much. Because I still work at the university and teach students every day of course. Either in front of a class or by supervising thesis or dissertation work. So knowledge transfer and teaching students is an integral part of my job. Students also often ask the best questions. I always say to them: 'You know less than me but I'm very much set in my ways and you're much more creative.' Sometimes they ask questions that make me think: wow, that never occurred to me. Because all that knowledge has made me a bit fixed in my ways. So it's by no means a one-way street.
