AI Garage: Frens Vonken on AI, education and the future of ICT

In the latest episode of the AI Garage podcast, Erdinç Saçan talks to Frens Vonken, the outgoing director of Fontys ICT. They discuss the development of AI, its implications for ICT education, and the opportunities and challenges for the future. He also looks back on his nearly 37 years at Fontys.

Frens’s introduction to AI began in 1992, when he attended a summer course at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He subsequently developed an AI course for students, which covered topics including neural networks. At the time, computers were not yet powerful enough to realise many practical applications for this technology.

That has since changed. AI is playing an increasingly significant role in society and the business world, although he believes it is difficult to predict exactly where this development is heading. Just as with previous technological changes, he believes the impact will become clearer over time.

AI is changing the work of IT professionals
The rise of AI does not mean that IT professionals will become redundant, but it does mean that their work is changing. After all, AI systems also need to be developed and maintained. As a result, programming is also becoming a different kind of profession.

This has implications for education. Frens explains that AI will increasingly become part of professional practice and, consequently, of education and assessment. Training students for that practice means that the technology will ultimately become an integral part of the field.

At the same time, AI calls for critical reflection, for example on energy and water consumption and environmental impact. That is precisely why it is important for people with different perspectives to continue engaging in dialogue.

Collaboration across disciplines
He sees a significant opportunity in greater collaboration between ICT and other disciplines. After all, digitalisation plays a role in virtually every sector. By collaborating with a programme such as physiotherapy, for example, different disciplines can make better use of their knowledge and expertise.

Trust in students
On 4 November, Frens will be leaving Fontys. After almost 37 years of service at Fontys, he looks back on a career in which he witnessed the development of the discipline at close quarters and saw many generations of students come and go.

His advice to new lecturers is clear: love your students and have faith in them. Give students the space to learn independently and dare to voice your own opinion.

In this episode of the AI Garage podcast, he shares his experiences and vision on AI, the future of ICT and the role of education in a rapidly changing world.

Listen to the podcast via Spotify or Apple Podcasts (in Dutch)