Two talks @ AAAI ToM Workshop in Philadelphia

sim-lab jul 8, 2025

Theory of Mind (ToM) is a skill that is used in both human and AI cognition to infer the mental states of others, and to use these mental states to predict their behaviour in the world. Experts from all over the world joined an AAAI conference workshop in Philadelphia to discuss the benefits and challenges of using ToM in AI systems. The diversity in the field was represented by 4 keynote speakers, 7 spotlight speakers, and 33 poster presentations during a day full of exchanged ideas. 

Ramira van der Meulen joined this event as a spotlight speaker, to highlight the misconceptions that exist around implementing ToM in AI. In addition, she presented a poster on how different models of intelligence influence the learning process and knowledge retention of both individual and collectives of AI agents. Overall, it was an inspiring day with many insights on how ToM could be practically useful in AI applications, and we look forward to potential future sessions. 

The two presented works can be found as included extended abstracts in the Workshop Proceedings. A longer version of the work on AI-ToM Misconceptions can be found on ArXiv.

1st Interprovincial Generative AI day in Zwolle

sim-lab jun 11, 2024

How can AI be used in the professional field of the provinces? Developments in artificial intelligence are moving very quickly. It offers opportunities but also challenges. Experts from all twelve provinces shared their knowledge and experiences today at the first Interprovincial Generative AI day in Zwolle. An initiative from the Province of Limburg, the Province of Overijssel and the Interprovincial Consultation.

Max van Duijn was a keynote speaker together with Eric Postma and Anne Fleur van Veenstra. Max talked about the capabilities of systems such as ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. Through recent research examples, he discussed whether these systems merely reproduce language structures or actually possess understanding, thinking skills and creativity. Implications for current and future applications of generative AI were discussed interactively with the audience.

Lunch lecture at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science

sim-lab mei 13, 2024

Max van Duijn guest at podcast ‘Computers don’t byte’

sim-lab apr 9, 2024

S01 / E03: using language as a window on the mind

Assistant professor Max van Duijn combines cognitive science with Artificial Intelligence (AI). His research is on children’s stories and the question if they have a so-called Theory of Mind. This is the ability to understand the mental state of somebody else and use this information to explain and predict human behavior. 

But here’s the twist: Max’s research not only applies to the exploration of storytelling but also serves as a test for AI. With the data collection, he and his team investigate uncharted territory: Does AI possess a mind? Can entities like ChatGPT truly empathize? 

Listen here to the podcast: https://app.springcast.fm/19948/max-van-duijn or https://open.spotify.com/episode/5t1KDSHgkq2deYlbjQZMId?si=FBsbgOwKS524ZBpFcL7-tA&nd=1&dlsi=c3f7558c72c54c7d

About ‘Computers don’t byte’

Computers don’t byte is a series by the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS). Leading computer scientists from a variety of fields share their expertise and insights. Dive into the minds of these researchers and learn about real-world applications, the future of AI and related technologies and cutting-edge research. From chatbots to cybersecurity, from quantum to children’s stories, each episode offers its own perspective on the changing landscape of computer science. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an aspiring enthusiast, this podcast offers knowledge and inspiration.

PowNed: We Gaan Er Allemaal Aan

sim-lab feb 13, 2024

AI can do more every day than the day before, but no one can explain exactly how AI does what it does. In the new television program ‘We gaan er allemaal aan’ Valerio Zeno examines various disaster scenarios that could bring down humanity.

In the first episode, he examines the dangers of AI. University lecturers Maarten Lamers and Max van Duijn, both working at the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS), both shine their light on AI and its possible dangers. Can AI empathize with humans? Max van Duijn explains it using the Sally-Anne test.

Do self-improving machines pose a threat to humans? The answers to these and other questions are covered in ‘We gaan er allemaal aan’.

Watch the episode back on NPO Start.

Best paper award @CoNLL@EMNLP in Singapore

sim-lab dec 7, 2023

Humbled to receive the best paper award @CoNLL@EMNLP in Singapore from programm chairs Jing Jiang and David Reitter for the Children’s Story Corpus we have been working on since 2019 in my Veni project at LIACS. It’s a pity Bram van Dijk wasn’t there as he did the majority of the work. Many, many thanks to the 442 children and their parents and teachers for sharing their stories with us and to all project assistants!! And to NWO (Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek). Find the paper and the corpus here: https://aclanthology.org/2023.conll-1.23/