Bas Haring (1968) obtained his PhD in Artificial Intelligence and is a professor of Public Understanding of Science at Leiden University. He has a unique ability to make complex topics accessible to large audiences, earning him the Plain Language Prize. 
In 2001, Haring made his debut with Cheese and the Theory of Evolution, in which he seeks answers to important existential questions and explores the invention of cheese. The book has been translated multiple times and has received various awards.
In 2009, he wrote the essay for the Month of Philosophy titled Walter Huijsmans' Aquarium or Why Should We Worry About the Future of the Earth?
His book Why Cola is More Expensive than Milk delves into economic themes such as market dynamics, economic growth, and recession.
In late 2022, Artificial Intelligence Is Not Scary was published, where he explains the implications of computers becoming increasingly advanced and answers questions like: Will algorithms determine our lives in the future? How would it feel when devices smarter than humans exist in the near future? And are these machines truly intelligent or just pretending?

Bas Haring is often invited to provide insights into scientific issues for television. For example, he hosted the BNN program Guinea Pigs.