Images, texts and music are increasingly created without a human maker. What does this mean for our sense of authenticity? And how does it change the way we look, read and listen?
On 21 May from 19:30 you can also follow the Abraham Kuyper Lecture by livestream.
During the annual Abraham Kuyper Lecture on Thursday 21 May 2026, the theme ‘The Value of Human Effort’ takes centre stage. Through a range of artistic forms, the programme explores how authenticity comes into being, and what is lost when human intention, experience and presence are absent.
Writer in Residence Thomas Heerma van Voss opens the evening by examining authenticity through literature. He reflects on what it means for our appreciation of texts when words become detached from human experience and intention. Next, computer scientist Felienne Hermans demonstrates that digital systems and programming languages are also shaped by human choices and ways of thinking. Finally, Assistant Professor of Art History Klazina Botke explores how we assign value and meaning to art. After all, who decides what is real, and on what basis do we place our trust?
When authenticity becomes less recognisable, our shared reality also becomes more fragile. Within the VU’s annual theme, global citizens, this raises the question of how, in a complex world shaped by technological change, we can continue to collectively make sense of what is true and what is valuable.
The VU Chamber Choir will close the programme with a live choral performance, placing the human voice, breath and interplay at its heart.
Moderator: Roos van Rijswijk
Read the interview with Thomas Heerma van Voss
Read the interview with Felienne Hermans
* The Abraham Kuyper Lecture is in Dutch, but can be followed in English via a translation app.
The Abraham Kuyper Lecture is partly made possible by: VUvereniging | Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities.