From January onwards, the SID-In study fairs will be back. These events help secondary school students in Flanders navigate their higher education options. For Professor Lynn Houthuys of the VUB Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, it’s the perfect opportunity to promote the university’s unique Bachelor’s programme in AI.
Why should you study AI?
“AI is everywhere these days – in every sector and in our daily lives. Yet very few people truly understand it. A university-level AI course offers a solid theoretical foundation and in-depth knowledge. You don’t just learn how AI works; you also understand the scientific principles behind it. This enables you to develop new technologies with real expertise.”
Do students need a strong background in mathematics?
“You’ll certainly need a healthy interest in maths. We assess this with a diagnostic test before the first year begins. If a student doesn’t pass the test, they’ll take a basic maths skills course during their first year.”
Is the programme suitable for students from non-technical backgrounds?
“I’d say this programme is perfect for that! While we aim for students interested in STEM subjects, we also welcome those with broader interests. AI is an extremely wide-ranging field that intersects with disciplines like psychology, linguistics, and computer science.”
What does the programme cover?
“The Bachelor’s degree is built around five core learning paths: AI Foundations and Context, Mathematics, Computer Science, Linguistics, and Psychology. From the second and third years, students can specialise further, choosing one of four profiles: Computer Science, Linguistics, Cognition, or Intelligent Systems, alongside the mandatory course components.”
What makes this Bachelor’s degree uniquely VUB?
“To start with, VUB is the only university in Belgium offering this programme at a Bachelor’s level. This means students can study AI as a scientific discipline directly after secondary school. Over 40 years ago, VUB established its AI lab – the oldest on the European mainland. In that time, we’ve conducted extensive research in this field, experiencing firsthand the evolution of AI, even when computational power and data were far more limited.
"Certain areas, like reinforcement learning (a form of machine learning where computers learn to make optimal decisions by interacting with their environment), are where VUB is truly at the cutting edge. Offering this Bachelor’s programme was a natural step for us."
What career opportunities does the degree offer?
“The possibilities are endless. Graduates can work in virtually any sector and at various levels. They might go into software development to implement AI systems, pursue research-oriented roles designing AI models, or take on leadership positions in product management, effectively becoming the architects of innovative solutions. Someone with a broad foundation in AI has the best overview of the field as a whole.
“There’s significant demand for all these profiles in the job market.”
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