TU Delft appoints “pro-vice-rector” of AI, data and digitalization

Delft University of Technology has appointed Geert-Jan Houben as pro-vice-rector magnificus of artificial intelligence, data and digitalization (PVR AI) with effect from 1 December 2020. Houben has been at TU Delft since 2008 as a professor of web information systems. Currently, he’s the director of education in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science. In the new role of PVR AI, he’ll be leading the TU Delft AI Initiative and promoting regional, national and international cooperation on this theme.

The TU Delft AI Initiative was launched earlier this year. Present activities include the establishment of 24 labs to promote cross-fertilization between AI experts and scientists who use AI in their research. Another focus of the initiative is to train the next generation of digital professionals.

Houben will also take a leading role in the collaboration in which TU Delft, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Leiden University, Erasmus MC and LUMC are joining forces. This convergence aims to use far-reaching cooperation and the bundling of research in AI and with AI to come up with pioneering solutions in fields such as health, the energy transition and safety and security. Another goal is to establish a large-scale curriculum on AI, data and digitalization for all 85,000 students at the universities and university medical centers in Zuid-Holland.