PeopleofSuperintelligence

Researcher

Jaap van den Herik

Also known as Hendrik Jacob van den Herik

Jaap van den Herik, born in Rotterdam in 1947, is a computer scientist whose work links computer chess, AI and law. In 1983 he completed a PhD at Delft University of Technology with a thesis on computer chess and artificial intelligence. He co-founded the Dutch computer chess association in 1980 and went on to hold professorships at Maastricht, Tilburg and Leiden. A paper he co-wrote on evolving computer chess programs won the 2014 Humies Award, and he received the Order of Orange-Nassau at his retirement in 2021. As of October 2026, he is president of the International Computer Games Association and chairs the board of the Leiden Centre of Data Science.

Timeline

  1. 1947–1983

    A computer chess thesis

    Born in Rotterdam in 1947, he graduates in mathematics from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in 1974. A thesis on computer chess and artificial intelligence earns him a PhD at Delft University of Technology in 1983.

  2. 1980–1981

    Founding CSVN and BNVKI

    He co-founds the Dutch computer chess association CSVN in 1980 and is one of the 19 founders of the Benelux Association for Artificial Intelligence (BNVKI) in 1981.

  3. 1984–2016

    Chairs in Leiden, Maastricht and Tilburg

    He joins Leiden in 1984 and becomes professor of law and information technology there in 1988. From 1987 to 2008 he is a full professor of computer science at Maastricht University, and from 2008 to 2016 a professor at Tilburg University.

  4. 1991–1999

    Presiding over JURIX

    From 1991 to 1999 he is president of JURIX, the international Foundation for Legal Knowledge-Based Systems. In 1991 he predicts that machines will judge court cases and replace judges in the future.

  5. 2012

    An ERC Advanced Grant

    In 2012 he receives an ERC Advanced Grant with Jos Vermaseren and Aske Plaat for a proposal on solving high-energy physics equations with Monte Carlo gaming techniques.

  6. 2014

    A Humies Award for chess

    A paper on evolving computer chess programs, written with Omid E. David, Moshe Koppel and Nathan S. Netanyahu, wins the 2014 Humies Award for human-competitive results from genetic and evolutionary computation.

  7. 2021

    Order of Orange-Nassau at retirement

    In October 2021 he gives his farewell address and is appointed Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau on his retirement as professor of law and information technology.

  8. As of October 2026

    ICGA presidency and LCDS chair

    He is the new president of the International Computer Games Association (ICGA) and chairs the board of directors of the Leiden Centre of Data Science (LCDS).

Sources and credits

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  1. Jaap van den Herik - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org. Checked 14 October 2026.
  2. Interview with Jaap van den Herik, Founding Father of the BNVKI ii.tudelft.nl. Checked 14 October 2026.
  3. Jaap van den Herik receives royal distinction on his retirement - Leiden University universiteitleiden.nl. Checked 14 October 2026.
  4. Jaap van den Herik - Leiden University universiteitleiden.nl. Checked 14 October 2026.
  5. Jaap van den Herik wins Humies Award 2014 - Leiden University universiteitleiden.nl. Checked 14 October 2026.
  6. Welcome to the ICGA! | ICGA icga.org. Checked 14 October 2026.