10 years of BISS

Investing in knowledge and innovation pays off

“It is remarkable to see how BISS has developed over ten years into a successful and independent institute in the field of AI and data science. The KennisAs subsidy that BISS received in its early years was put to good use. This underlines how much investing in knowledge and innovation can achieve. On behalf of the Province, I congratulate BISS on this wonderful anniversary and look forward with confidence to a smart future together!”

Exceeding the original expectations

“The mission, with its strong focus on creating impact, and the interdisciplinary setup gave me confidence in the BISS concept from the very beginning. In my administrative role, I had the privilege of contributing to BISS for many years. The people involved have made it into the successful, independent institute it is today. I am very pleased that, over the past 10 years, BISS has more than lived up to the original expectations.”

Algorithms are my passion

“Algorithms are my passion. They form the engines of a smart society. BISS has given me the opportunity to live this passion in all its facets, with ups and downs as in real life.”

Interdisciplinary collaboration as second nature

“To me, the strength of BISS lies in collaboration between people with diverse perspectives and backgrounds. When I joined BISS, I spent my first years as Scientific Lead strengthening that collaboration across the boundaries of academic disciplines and faculties. It is very rewarding to see that those boundaries no longer seem to exist in today's BISS, and that team members naturally involve one another in their research. Interdisciplinary collaboration now takes less effort, while creating even more enjoyment and impact.”

Working together for regional impact

“For a Triple Helix campus to succeed, the presence of knowledge institutions is crucial. From the moment I started at the Brightlands Smart Services Campus, I have cherished the collaboration with BISS. We are fully committed to the same goal: creating impact for the region. I warmly congratulate BISS on its 10th anniversary and on all the wonderful results achieved in recent years.”

Creating something meaningful for citizens

“My favorite projects are the ones where we work together with an organization to create something meaningful for citizens that directly impacts their lives. Even more so when the project is aimed at helping people who are experiencing financial stress. Such as the project that we did with the municipality of Sittard-Geleen, but also the project we are currently doing with the municipality of Venlo. The question in both projects is: How can the welfare application process be made easier and more understandable for citizens by leveraging knowledge from data science and behavioral sciences? We get to work closely with many passionate experts from the municipalities, trying to truly understand their work. And, more importantly, citizens play a crucial role in these projects. Their input helps us understand what applying for and living on social welfare really entails, and their stories always inspire and motivate me to create something that works better.”

Applied research with societal impact is at the heart of everything we do

“As a researcher in Artificial Intelligence I was always fascinated and curious about how the AI methods and technology that we develop can be transformed into solutions that benefit society. I found the answer to that question through the amazing interdisciplinary work we do at BISS. I could experience how perspectives from ethics, law, business, psychology, neuroscience, and data science, are rigorously applied to the development of projects involving AI and technology. For me, it has been a dream job with a dream team of talented, supportive, and kind colleagues, where applied research with societal impact is at the heart of everything we do.”

At BISS, learning never stops

“At BISS, learning never ends. The interdisciplinary nature of the organisation comes with a unique vantage point leading to interesting questions and even more interesting answers that have meaningful impact on society and people. As someone whose curiosity never ends, BISS is the perfect place to ask such questions and discover answers. BISS has the loveliest set of people you'd want to work with!”

Building structure for lasting stability

“I look back with great pleasure on my time as interim director at BISS. Together, we searched for smart structures and clear agreements to make sure things worked for BISS. This allowed us to achieve our goal of sustainable financial stability and enabled the diverse group of dedicated researchers to focus on the substance of their work. To this day, I continue to follow BISS's developments with interest, and I am glad to have contributed to them.”

Learning, growing, and truly being part of the team

“During my internship at BISS, I worked on improving the user experience of the Lawnotation platform. What I especially appreciated was the combination of independence and guidance — I was given responsibility while still being able to count on support when needed. It was motivating to see my ideas and proposals taken seriously and discussed within the team. I not only expanded my subject knowledge but also learned a great deal about collaboration and communication within a project. I would definitely recommend BISS to students looking for an internship where you can learn, grow, and truly be part of the team.”

More than just software development

“During my internship at BISS, I discovered that in addition to software development, I also enjoyed design. Thanks to the help and tips I received there, I chose to study Communication & Multimedia Design. What I learned during my internship still helps me in my studies today.”

Believing in the people behind the mission

“During BISS's 10-year history, I joined the team in its second half. What became immediately clear to me was that all the ingredients for success were already in place: talented people whose strengths complement one another, a strong sense of motivation, and a highly relevant mission that has only become more relevant over time. I am happy to contribute whatever is needed: sometimes as a coach on the sidelines, sometimes as a captain on the field, sometimes as a cheerleader, and sometimes as a critical commentator. I believe in the contribution BISS makes to society—but even more so, I believe in the people of BISS who dedicate themselves to that mission.”