science Data & AIWorld Cup questions: can statistics predict who will win the FIFA World Cup?This year, it is finally going to happen. The Netherlands will become world champion. What did not work out in 2010 will happen in 2026. At least, if we believe economist Joachim Klement. His model previously predicted the winners of the last three World Cups: Germany in 2014, France in 2018 and Argentina in 2022. For 2026, his model points to the Netherlands. Great news for Dutch football fans. But can statistics really predict who will win the biggest football tournament in the world?
science Data & AIHow data and algorithms improve performance in professional football13 January, last 16 of the KNVB Cup. FC Twente are playing away at FC Utrecht. In the 59th minute, Twente are 1-0 down. Something has to change. Van den Brom makes a substitution and brings on Ricky van Wolfswinkel for Sam Lammers. Nine minutes later, it pays off. Van Wolfswinkel scores the equaliser. Late in the match, Mats Rots makes it 1-2 and turns the game around.
Every supporter recognises this moment. A substitution can change the course of a match. Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not. But what actually happens when a substitute comes on? And can you measure that impact?
science Behaviour & SocietyWhat ethical AI in research really meansAs AI tools become inseparable from student essays, scientific writing, and data analysis, universities across the globe are scrambling to decide what counts as “ethical use.” Some draw the line at letting tools such as ChatGPT write for you; others simply ask that you be transparent and honest.
science Data & AIWhy does ChatGPT write terrible Secret Santa poems?Imagine: it’s Secret Santa night. You nervously tap on your phone and ask ChatGPT to whip up a quick poem. The result is… um, well… not exactly gift-worthy. Why are AI models such as ChatGPT often unable to rhyme properly? Thijs van Ede, AI researcher at the University of Twente, knows why and explains AI and rhyming.
science Data & AIHow do smart cars react so quickly?Imagine you are sitting in a self-driving car. Suddenly, someone runs across the street. In a fraction of a second, the car decides to brake. How does it do that so quickly? And could it do so even faster or with less energy, especially now that self-driving cars and autonomous vehicles rely heavily on cameras, smart sensors and AI systems?
science Behaviour & SocietyHow can we make AI more humane and inclusive?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?
science Behaviour & SocietyElection questions: Can you vote tactically?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’?
science Data & AIFrom chessboard to delivery van: how algorithms improve logisticsIt is well known that artificial intelligence can beat the best players in board games, but did you know that UT is using the same techniques to make logistics more efficient? So your groceries are delivered smarter while ASML saves millions.
science Data & AIShould I be worried about how much energy AI uses?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.
science Data & AIBuild your own flightradar – Track aircraft live from your backyard!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?
science Behaviour & SocietyHow Big Tech is weaponising public opinionPropaganda used to be distributed through leaflets or broadcast over the radio. Today, it reaches us with a click on our smartphones, and it is tailored to our preferences. The way we consume information has changed - and with it, the way we form our beliefs about political and social institutions. Assistant professor Adam Heschke is worried about what comes next.
science Data & AINo Wi-Fi without Twente: How alumnus Cees Links invented wireless internetWi-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.
science HealthHow wearables can help reduce stress for daily well-beingThe research project Stress in Action involves collaboration among seven Dutch universities and university medical centres (UMCs) in a long-term study on stress. The goal of this ten-year project is to develop methods for monitoring and reducing stress in daily life, ultimately aiming to prevent stress-related illnesses. Professor of Health Psychology Matthijs Noordzij (Faculty of BMS) from the University of Twente, who is also affiliated with the Technical Medical Centre (TechMed Centre), plays a crucial role in the project with his expertise in wearable technologies.
science Data & AI'Wie is de Mol?' through the eyes of a statisticianThere are many ways to predict the mole. Mole spotters often talk about body language, intrigue, granted screen time or social behaviour. Nice, vague and exciting, of course, and good for a heated discussion but could it be more exact? What about mathematics, can it help us here too?
science Data & AIHow much smarter can your healthcare become with AI?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.
science Data & AIHow your mobile internet could be much betterImagine: you’re at a festival, and your phone always has full signal. No more slow internet or apps that won’t load. Sounds like a dream, right? Lotte Weedage, a PhD candidate at the University of Twente, is researching ways to improve the mobile network in the Netherlands, so this could become a reality.
student BachelorDoes screen time impact your lifestyle and health? Creative Technology students show you how!Most people know that spending too much time on your phone can negatively affect your mental health. Yet here we are – often chronically online and spending most of our (free) time on screens, with all its consequences. That’s why student Creative Technology Nina and her project group decided to create an interactive installation for people to reflect on their screen time and happiness. In this article, she talks all about their work and its importance in today’s society.
science Data & AIWhy do you not see what I see?In any project using images acquired by satellite sensors or from drones, you will frequently display images to look at. Before even diving into technical issues that have an effect on the display, let’s first focus on what we think we have in common and under control: our own visual system.
science Data & AIHow satellites expose urban inequalities in the Global SouthMass evictions, daily power outages, and pitch-black streets at night: the challenges that people in the Global South face remain largely overlooked. How can satellite imagery uncover the hidden realities of urbanisation? Prof. Dr. Monika Kuffer’s research strives to spotlight urban inequalities and prompt policymakers to take action.
science Behaviour & SocietyHow a Serious Game is Shaping Future LeadersUnsustainable development leads to resource scarcity and endangers our future. The traditional take-make-use-dispose in linear economy causes pressure on supply chains. The only way forward according to Devrim Yazan? A sustainable circular economy. But how do you educate students about the complexity of this sustainability approach?
science Data & AICities are cloned in the virtual world to transform urban planningBy 2050, nearly 70% of the world's population will live in cities. Urban planning decisions made today have a critical impact on the future, which means there is less room for trial and error. How can we address the increase in urban populations and make future cities more sustainable?
science ClimateThe pollution of our digital worldBitcoin, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and other popular blockchain innovations represent our shift to a digital society. But this transition comes at a cost. The emissions generated by these blockchain technologies from the year 2021 alone are responsible for around 19,000 future deaths. This alarming statistic raises many questions: How is this possible and what can we do about it?