Carlijn van den Heuvel

When we talk about artificial intelligence, we often think of data, algorithms and efficiency. But what if we approached technology not just as something functional, but as something deeply human? Something that doesn’t replace us, but connects us?

Election programmes, debates, news, and campaigns. Almost everything related to elections now takes place online. But not everyone has equal access to that digital world. What does this mean for our democracy?

We Google everything: the FC Twente match schedule, the release date of GTA 6, or a recipe for pasta carbonara. And as the elections draw nearer, we also look up party manifestos, voting guides and fact checks of campaign promises. Our search for information usually begins with a search engine. But what if that very search behaviour fuels division instead of understanding?

It’s a thought that crosses many people’s minds as elections draw closer. The idea of tactical voting keeps resurfacing in conversations, campaigns and talk shows. Can your vote really influence the outcome? And is there such a thing as a mathematically ‘best choice’?

We do almost everything online these days, from banking and grocery shopping to booking holidays. So why do we still vote with paper and pencil? In the Election Questions 2025 series, UT researchers explore how science helps us understand the dilemmas voters face. This time, we spoke with Roland van Rijswijk-Deij, full professor of Data-Driven Internet Security, about one key question: why haven’t we gone digital at the ballot box?

Studying is exciting and challenging, but at times also stressful. Deadlines, exams and the pressure to perform can easily throw you off balance. According to Professor Ernst Bohlmeijer, professor of psychology at the University of Twente, hope can help. Not a vague sense that everything will work out by itself, but an attitude that makes you stronger, especially in stressful times.

Wars, political divisions, concerns about climate change, and worries about the future: the world often feels unstable. But how do you deal with that? According to Professor Ernst Bohlmeijer, professor of psychology at the University of Twente, the answer lies in hope. Not blind optimism that says “everything will be fine”, but an attitude that helps you find direction, even when the outcome is unknown.

Entering a drug lab without knowing which gases are being released is life-threatening. “That risk needs to be reduced,” says University of Twente researcher Dimitar Rangelov. Together with Saxion University of Applied Sciences, the Police Academy and the Technical University of Sofia, he is developing an AI-driven forensic investigation system that makes crime scene work faster, safer and more accurate.

Losing everything in a matter of hours. Your house underwater, no safe place to go. For millions of people around the world, this is not an exception but a reality that happens more often than we think. Even in Europe, disasters are becoming more frequent, and it is becoming increasingly clear how vulnerable our homes are.

You ask ChatGPT to rewrite a paragraph, get Spotify to generate a new playlist, or have Midjourney create an image for your presentation. Super convenient! In just a few seconds, you get exactly what you need. But behind these seemingly simple actions, massive data centres around the world are running at full capacity. Artificial Intelligence (AI) consumes a great deal of energy. But how much, exactly? And could it be done smarter? Researchers at the University of Twente believe it can.

Watching planes move across the world map in real time is fascinating – websites like Flightradar24 make it possible. You can daydream about far-off destinations, check which aircraft are flying over your house, or keep track of whether your friends have landed safely. But how does it actually work? How does a flight radar know exactly where all these planes are?

Wi-Fi is everywhere. From your phone to your laptop, from trains to restaurants—but did you know this world-changing technology has its roots in Twente? Cees Links, an alumnus of the University of Twente, played a key role in the invention of wireless internet. Yet, his idea was not initially taken seriously. It took years of perseverance, an unexpected phone call from Steve Jobs, and a pitch at Apple before Wi-Fi became a global success. How did he do it? This is the story of the inventor of Wi-Fi and how his breakthrough forever changed the world forever.

Every time you use your smartphone – whether it’s to open an app, send a message, or watch a video – you’re benefitting from a remarkable invention from Twente. At the core of the technology enabling modern smartphones lies the Nauta circuit, a design by Professor Bram Nauta of the University of Twente. This innovation has made it possible for your phone to work quickly and efficiently. But what exactly is this circuit, how does it work, and why is it so important?

Imagine your next medical treatment being faster, more precise, and better tailored to your personal needs. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making this possible. At the labs of the University of Twente, researchers are working daily on innovative solutions that are transforming healthcare. From faster diagnoses to supporting doctors with complex procedures, AI is paving the way for a more efficient and future-proof healthcare system.

At the laboratories of the University of Twente, researchers are working on robotics that will improve healthcare. These studies aim to make care more personalised and precise, ensuring that every patient receives the treatment that suits them best. While robots are already used in healthcare, in the future they will be deployed even more frequently. In this story, we’ll look at how robotics is helping to detect and treat cancer.

Smartwatches that map loneliness among students with specific needs, such as autism. Thanks to UT professor Carolien Rieffe and her team, this will soon be a reality. Carolien received a substantial sum of money from science financier NWO for the Building 4 Belonging project.

The labour market is under pressure. From the busy airports of Schiphol to the hectic hospital corridors, there's a huge shortage of staff everywhere. Perhaps you've already noticed the effects yourself. Restaurants operate with fewer staff, leading to longer waiting times for your food. Classrooms are fuller due to the lack of teachers or masters. And your parcels? Those take longer to arrive because of understaffed delivery services. Even buses and trains are less frequent on the roads and tracks.