Holger Hoos is Professor of Machine Learning at the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS). His research interests span artificial intelligence, empirical algorithmics, bioinformatics and computer music. He is known for his work on machine learning and optimisation methods for the automated design of high-performance algorithms and for his work on stochastic local search. He is one of the originators of the concept of automated machine learning (AutoML). He has a penchant for work at the boundaries between computing science and other disciplines, and much of his work is inspired by real-world applications. In 2018, together with Morten Irgens (Oslo Metropolitan University) and Pilipp Slusallek (DFKI), Holger launched CLAIRE, promoting excellence across all of AI, for all of Europe