Vanessa Evers, renowned for her expertise in computer science and human-computer interaction, delivers compelling keynotes on the interplay between humans and intelligent systems.
Human-Computer Interaction – Working with Robots towards a better future
The Rise of Social Robots
Ethics of Robotics
The Human Side of Physical AI
Watch Vanessa Evers in Action
Biography
Vanessa Evers: A Leading Voice on AI and Humanity
Vanessa Evers works at the meeting point of artificial intelligence and human-centred design. Few people are better placed to help leaders understand what intelligent systems mean for people, organisations, and society. She is Director of the Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI), the Netherlands’ national research institute for mathematics and computer science. She also holds a full professorship and the Chair of Human Media Interaction at the University of Twente.
In November 2025, the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science appointed Vanessa as its first Chief Science Advisor. In this role she brings independent scientific insight directly into government policy. Her focus is the impact of AI across education, science, culture, and media.
Her career spans continents. In Singapore, she was the founding director of Nanyang Technological University’s Institute for Science and Technology for Humanity, where she remains a visiting professor.
Bridging humans and intelligent systems
Vanessa’s research examines the relationship between people and autonomous systems, such as robots, through a sociocultural lens. This work covers the detection of multi-modal human behaviour, the design of AI agents that respect social norms, and the evaluation of their impact on society. The result is a clearer understanding of how humans and machines can work together in ways that are intuitive, trustworthy, and genuinely useful.
As Physical AI moves out of the lab and into workplaces, homes, and public life, Vanessa’s work answers the question that decides whether it succeeds. Will people trust it, and will it behave well around them?
A proven authority, on the world stage
Vanessa founded the DesignLab at the University of Twente, a hub for multidisciplinary research that connects science with real-world challenges. She serves on the Supervisory Board of Radboud University. She is an editor for the International Journal of Social
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Vanessa Evers: A Leading Voice on AI and Humanity
Vanessa Evers works at the meeting point of artificial intelligence and human-centred design. Few people are better placed to help leaders understand what intelligent systems mean for people, organisations, and society. She is Director of the Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI), the Netherlands’ national research institute for mathematics and computer science. She also holds a full professorship and the Chair of Human Media Interaction at the University of Twente.
In November 2025, the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science appointed Vanessa as its first Chief Science Advisor. In this role she brings independent scientific insight directly into government policy. Her focus is the impact of AI across education, science, culture, and media.
Her career spans continents. In Singapore, she was the founding director of Nanyang Technological University’s Institute for Science and Technology for Humanity, where she remains a visiting professor.
Bridging humans and intelligent systems
Vanessa’s research examines the relationship between people and autonomous systems, such as robots, through a sociocultural lens. This work covers the detection of multi-modal human behaviour, the design of AI agents that respect social norms, and the evaluation of their impact on society. The result is a clearer understanding of how humans and machines can work together in ways that are intuitive, trustworthy, and genuinely useful.
As Physical AI moves out of the lab and into workplaces, homes, and public life, Vanessa’s work answers the question that decides whether it succeeds. Will people trust it, and will it behave well around them?
A proven authority, on the world stage
Vanessa founded the DesignLab at the University of Twente, a hub for multidisciplinary research that connects science with real-world challenges. She serves on the Supervisory Board of Radboud University. She is an editor for the International Journal of Social Robotics and Transactions on Human-Robot Interaction, and she has shaped major conferences including ACM SIGCHI and ACM/IEEE HRI. Her insight is sought at the highest levels. She has presented at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the European Heads of State Digital Summit, and the ASEAN Leadership Conference.
Book Vanessa Evers to speak at your next event
Vanessa is a visionary keynote speaker. She combines academic rigour with clear, accessible insight, which makes her an outstanding choice for leadership audiences navigating the age of AI. Her sessions illuminate where technology is heading and what it means for the people and organisations it touches. What could your leadership team achieve with a clearer view of AI and its impact?
To explore Vanessa for your conference, summit, or board session, please visit our contact page.
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Vanessa Evers | Keynote Speaker
Vanessa Evers, renowned for her expertise in computer science and human-computer interaction, delivers compelling keynotes on the interplay between humans and intelligent systems.
Sample Talks
Watch Vanessa Evers in Action
Biography
Vanessa Evers: A Leading Voice on AI and Humanity
Vanessa Evers works at the meeting point of artificial intelligence and human-centred design. Few people are better placed to help leaders understand what intelligent systems mean for people, organisations, and society. She is Director of the Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI), the Netherlands’ national research institute for mathematics and computer science. She also holds a full professorship and the Chair of Human Media Interaction at the University of Twente.
In November 2025, the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science appointed Vanessa as its first Chief Science Advisor. In this role she brings independent scientific insight directly into government policy. Her focus is the impact of AI across education, science, culture, and media.
Her career spans continents. In Singapore, she was the founding director of Nanyang Technological University’s Institute for Science and Technology for Humanity, where she remains a visiting professor.
Bridging humans and intelligent systems
Vanessa’s research examines the relationship between people and autonomous systems, such as robots, through a sociocultural lens. This work covers the detection of multi-modal human behaviour, the design of AI agents that respect social norms, and the evaluation of their impact on society. The result is a clearer understanding of how humans and machines can work together in ways that are intuitive, trustworthy, and genuinely useful.
As Physical AI moves out of the lab and into workplaces, homes, and public life, Vanessa’s work answers the question that decides whether it succeeds. Will people trust it, and will it behave well around them?
A proven authority, on the world stage
Vanessa founded the DesignLab at the University of Twente, a hub for multidisciplinary research that connects science with real-world challenges. She serves on the Supervisory Board of Radboud University. She is an editor for the International Journal of Social
…
Vanessa Evers: A Leading Voice on AI and Humanity
Vanessa Evers works at the meeting point of artificial intelligence and human-centred design. Few people are better placed to help leaders understand what intelligent systems mean for people, organisations, and society. She is Director of the Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI), the Netherlands’ national research institute for mathematics and computer science. She also holds a full professorship and the Chair of Human Media Interaction at the University of Twente.
In November 2025, the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science appointed Vanessa as its first Chief Science Advisor. In this role she brings independent scientific insight directly into government policy. Her focus is the impact of AI across education, science, culture, and media.
Her career spans continents. In Singapore, she was the founding director of Nanyang Technological University’s Institute for Science and Technology for Humanity, where she remains a visiting professor.
Bridging humans and intelligent systems
Vanessa’s research examines the relationship between people and autonomous systems, such as robots, through a sociocultural lens. This work covers the detection of multi-modal human behaviour, the design of AI agents that respect social norms, and the evaluation of their impact on society. The result is a clearer understanding of how humans and machines can work together in ways that are intuitive, trustworthy, and genuinely useful.
As Physical AI moves out of the lab and into workplaces, homes, and public life, Vanessa’s work answers the question that decides whether it succeeds. Will people trust it, and will it behave well around them?
A proven authority, on the world stage
Vanessa founded the DesignLab at the University of Twente, a hub for multidisciplinary research that connects science with real-world challenges. She serves on the Supervisory Board of Radboud University. She is an editor for the International Journal of Social Robotics and Transactions on Human-Robot Interaction, and she has shaped major conferences including ACM SIGCHI and ACM/IEEE HRI. Her insight is sought at the highest levels. She has presented at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the European Heads of State Digital Summit, and the ASEAN Leadership Conference.
Book Vanessa Evers to speak at your next event
Vanessa is a visionary keynote speaker. She combines academic rigour with clear, accessible insight, which makes her an outstanding choice for leadership audiences navigating the age of AI. Her sessions illuminate where technology is heading and what it means for the people and organisations it touches. What could your leadership team achieve with a clearer view of AI and its impact?
To explore Vanessa for your conference, summit, or board session, please visit our contact page.
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Brad Templeton
Brad Templeton, a pioneering figure in computing and internet technology, has significantly influenced the digital world. His expertise spans from founding ClariNet to advising Google’s self-driving car team, making him a highly sought-after speaker on technology’s future.
Theresa Schleicher
Theresa Schleicher is a keynote speaker, data scientist and leading expert on the future of retail. Known for her work with the renowned Zukunftsinstitut and Germany’s Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection, she helps retail companies, business leaders and industry audiences understand the future trends, AI developments and customer expectations shaping tomorrow’s economy.
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Charlie Ang is a corporate futurist, AI strategist and innovation leader who helps organisations prepare for an intelligence-abundant future. Combining strategic foresight with practical business experience, he equips leaders to embrace AI, navigate disruption and build future-ready organisations with confidence.
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