Computers Don't Byte

Assistant professor Daria Soydaner explores how AI and art collide, revealing why creativity, perception, and machine learning are far more intertwined than they seem. From testing whether large language models can recognize artistic styles to imagining a ‘museum buddy’ that guides visitors through galleries, this episode uncovers how technology might reshape the way we experience culture.

Soydaner also dives into AI‑generated music, artistic authorship, and the tension between human struggle and machine‑made creativity. A thoughtful look at what we gain—and risk losing—as generative AI becomes part of our creative world. 

Idea by Dimitra Kouimtzidou
Research, planning & coordination by Marcel Tichelaar & Dimitra Kouimtzidou
Interview, production & editing by Michiel van Poelgeest

In this episode a surprising crossover between ancient archaeology and modern computer science. Anthropologist‑turned‑computer‑scientist Sebastian Fajardo Bernal reveals how early humans developed complex technologies like birch‑bark glue, and how their problem‑solving strategies mirror the logic behind today’s algorithms. It’s a fresh look at innovation through the lens of deep history.

Sebastian also explains how models such as Petri nets help researchers understand technological evolution and even inspire new ways to teach AI systems to interact with the physical world. It shows how looking back thousands of years can spark new ideas for the technologies that will define our future. 

Idea by Dimitra Kouimtzidou
Research, planning & coordination by Marcel Tichelaar & Dimitra Kouimtzidou
Interview, production & editing by Michiel van Poelgeest

In this episode postdoc in Hybrid Intelligence Centre, Tom Kouwenhoven tells all about his research which focusses on how humans and machines learn to communicate. From chatbot misunderstandings to experiments where people and AI invent entirely new languages, Tom shows how collaboration can work even when both sides interpret information differently.

The conversation also dives into visual intuition, like the Bouba–Kiki effect, and why shared human preferences matter when designing future AI systems. It provides an honest view of how far human–machine communication has come and the challenges that continue to shape its future.

Idea by Dimitra Kouimtzidou
Research, planning & coordination by Marcel Tichelaar & Dimitra Kouimtzidou
Interview, production & editing by Michiel van Poelgeest

Assistant-porfessor Anna Dawid outlines how quantum technologies are rapidly moving from theoretical science to practical innovation. She explains how the unusual behavior of quantum particles could lead to breakthroughs such as room temperature superconductors and advanced materials with major industrial impact.


Anna also presents her Tetris CNN project, a transparent neural network approach designed to help scientists interpret complex quantum data rather than relying on opaque black box models. From clean simulations to noisy real-world experiments, she shows how machine learning is becoming a strategic tool for accelerating quantum research and driving future technological development. 

Idea by Dimitra KouimtzidouResearch, planning & coordination by Marcel Tichelaar & Dimitra KouimtzidouInterview, production & editing by Michiel van Poelgeest

Mathematician and optimization expert Elena Raponi takes us from car‑crash simulations to her teenage quest for the perfect pizza. Through her stories, she reveals how Bayesian thinking shapes the way we learn, explore, and refine our choices—whether we’re comparing pizza places or navigating complex engineering problems.

The conversation dives into black‑box optimization, algorithm design, and the surprisingly human logic behind making choices—from selecting a Netflix series to engineering safer cars. The episode offers an accessible look at how optimization shapes everyday decisions and high‑stakes scientific challenges alike.

Idea by Dimitra Kouimtzidou
Research, planning & coordination by Marcel Tichelaar & Dimitra Kouimtzidou
Interview, production & editing by Michiel van Poelgeest