Prof. Jan Post: 'Man determines what happens with AI'

So it is with AI, he wants to say. We can make computers (robots) as smart as we want, but those computers and robots are not going to dominate us. The metaphor is beautiful. Nevertheless, there is something to it because a computer or robot can make its own decisions and a stone cannot. But even then, if the robot autonomously makes the wrong decisions, we humans are the ones who throw up our own windows.

Post is quartermaster AI

Jan Post is the quartermaster of the AI Hub North Netherlands, say the regional implementation club of AI Coalition Netherlands. He is already the catalyst for Smart Industry in the Northern Netherlands, a professor of digital manufacturing and in charge of strategic partnerships at Philips Consumer Lifestyle. AI is the science of creating "things" that exhibit some form of intelligence. The AI Coalition North Netherlands brings together northern companies, knowledge institutions and other stakeholder organizations (government) to build a strong position in the development and applications of artificial intelligence. It is not just about regional cooperation but about joining the Dutch AI Coalition and joining the EU. Benefits: a more favorable business climate and better opportunities for business innovation and R&D funding.

'We're not even doing that bad'

The Dutch AI Coalition has an action agenda for thirteen domains (including healthcare, water, agrofood, energy, mobility, maritime and smart industry). Post: "We want to show what the Northern Netherlands can add. Yvonne Kooi (former director of Royal Goedewaagen) is assisting him, together with the RUG. The professor is not going to sell turnips for lemons, because when asked whether many companies are already running on AI, he sounds: 'Yes and no. A few companies are standing their ground, like Philips and Ziuz. We are not even doing that badly, but with us, in the Northern Netherlands the projects are more spread out. In any case, there are plenty of SMEs and a lot of interest, which needs to get connected across the board.'

Sailor Post: Do choose good route

The knowledge and applications in the field of AI should be used for welfare and prosperity, the Dutch AI Coalition believes. 'Yes, that is also our big goal,' it sounds. We cannot be left behind, Post believes, because digitalization is gathering steam. Smart Industry, a baby of Post's, is taking full advantage. Post: 'It is now time to exploit digitalization, because that world has grown immensely and has a lot of potential.'

Artificial intelligence is more or less a model of human brain in computer. You can store information (read data) in such an AI system and thus reuse the knowledge stored in the system as a form of intelligence. Based on that (knowledge and experience) those artificial brains can develop. Post: "We have to learn to understand how to use it. The path is not paved yet, we don't know where it ends. So we have to build experience and then you can walk along in the right direction.' And referring to his inauguration speech at the RUG, drawing on his experiences as a sailor: 'If you don't know where it ends, you can still choose the right route and direction.'

Right routes, right choices

Artificial Intelligence presents opportunities and threats. Post agrees, "It always leads to the brick you use to build a house or throw through a window. Right routes, right choices, that's what it's all about. Post: 'It's intelligence when you use information and make decisions based on it. Digitization, by itself, is not intelligence, because with it you are not yet making decisions.'

Repetitive actions and images are the basis for AI. They are well suited to the northern sectors that will participate. Post: "Sectors are not isolated, they are not isolated areas, there is also interaction between all these worlds. You sometimes learn to predict. Predictive maintenance is such an example. If you fly a helicopter to a wind turbine at sea, it is useful to know what you are taking with you and that you know which parts need replacement.' This kind of predictive maintenance and logistics can also be applied in the maritime sector and in industry.

AI is going to change the world

AI offers countless opportunities, as data about machines and human behavior leads to information and decision moments. Post: "You have to learn to use it well, though. It is going to change the world enormously. It is important to keep doing the right things with it. The systems are becoming more intelligent, so you have to keep paying more attention. We have to learn to control the negative aspects.

Partners

Partners in the AI Coalition Northern Netherlands are: University of Groningen, Hanzehogeschool Groningen, NHL Stenden, Van Hall Larenstein, UMCG, ASTRON, New Energy Coalition, TNO, Wetsus, Philips, Innovation Cluster Drachten and Metaalunie and FME through Smart Industry Hub (more than 2,000 companies). Dina Boonstra (director NOM) is chairman of the AI Coalition.

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