Unleashing the (Super)Power of Analytics for a Better World – Professor Joaquim Gromicho’s Inaugural Lecture as ORTEC Chair “Analytics for a Better World”

What if the real superpower of our time isn’t artificial intelligence itself, but how we use data science, analytics, and AI responsibly to make better decisions for an inclusive society?

Professor Joaquim Gromicho’s inaugural lecture as ORTEC Chair of “Analytics for a Better World” explored how dedicated mathematicians and optimization experts can create meaningful change by co-creating solutions with the non-profit and humanitarian sectors. Spanning nearly thirty years bridging industry and academia, Professor Gromicho demonstrated how analytics addresses critical global challenges—from optimizing ocean plastic cleanup and locating stroke centers in Vietnam to improving healthcare accessibility during COVID-19. His work emphasizes that analytics is not just about efficiency or profit, but about responsibility toward the world we share. Through courses at the University of Amsterdam and open-source tools for organizations like the World Food Programme, he teaches the next generation that their skills can help address hunger, health, inequality, and environmental damage. His lecture concluded with a powerful reminder: talent and knowledge are not possessions but responsibilities we must use together to create a better world for all.

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