The Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS) is a center of excellence for multidisciplinary research and education in computer science and artificial intelligence (AI). LIACS features a wide range of research, from theory to algorithms to applications, with a strong focus on artificial intelligence and data science. Within the Dutch university landscape in computer science, LIACS has positioned itself for AI4LIFE, basically meaning we use modern AI methods (from optimization, deep learning, reinforcement learning, quantum computing, machine learning) for solving real-world problems in the Life Sciences and beyond. This aim is pursued by LIACS researchers in leading roles in the SAILS program, the CCLS initiative, and the European initiative for excellence in AI research and innovation, CAIRNE. We also cooperate with knowledge institutes, governments and companies.
As a major institute for education in computer science we offer BSc, Master, and PhD programs in a broad variety of study tracks, some of which are in collaboration with other scientific domains such as Biology and Economics. The institute has rapidly grown in the last years and is continuing this trend. As of now, LIACS has around 90 staff members, around 160 PhD students, and 40 non-scientific personnel. For the study programs of the institute, more than 500 master students, and more than 900 bachelor students are registered, including our new bachelor on Data Science and AI.
Artificial Intelligence is the major focus of LIACS research. To accomplish a stronger momentum and to exploit synergies among fields, networking initiatives have been established across the faculty of science (center for computational life science, CCLS) and across the entire university (Society Artificial Intelligence and Life Science, SAILS). These instruments stimulate collaboration within the university on artificial intelligence topics and bring these topics to new application domains. Moreover, with its participation in European and International research networks ERCIS and CAIRNE, the research in LIACS is integrated in a wider community of researchers.
The main research branches of LIACS are: Theory, Natural Computing, Machine Learning, Data Science, Software & Business, Systems & Security, Human AI, and Bio-Imaging.
We have a strong focus on providing Smart Computing for Science & Industry, which materializes in longstanding cooperations with industrial partners and governments. These help us to focus on the applicability of research results and at the same time generate new directions for our research in computer science. Our collaborations include partners such as Honda Research, Zorginstituut Nederland, Tata Steel, Greenchoice, BMW, KLM, General Electrics Aviation, Young Capital, Qualogy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Police, Woonconnect, Stabiplan, Naturalis Museum, Royal Dutch Shell, Oncode Institute, Sanquin, and De Nederlandsche Bank.
