Cluster for Applied AI welcomes Amesto NextBridge to the cluster!
We are delighted to have such a forward-thinking and innovative consulting company on board!
Marianne Bjerkman, Cluster Leader in the Cluster for Applied AI
This summer, the consulting company Amesto NextBridge became a cluster partner in the Cluster for Applied AI.
"We are incredibly pleased to have such a forward-thinking and innovative consulting company on board," says Marianne Bjerkman, Cluster Leader in the Cluster for Applied AI. We are particularly impressed with how they work with start-up companies and the breadth of the projects they can show, she adds.
Vincent Aardalsbakke heads the AI and Emerging Technologies department at the company and tells us more about how Amesto Nextbridge works in a short interview.
What do you do at Amesto Nextbridge and what is your role?
Amesto Nextbridge are experts in creating insight and innovation from data. We are a consulting firm that specializes in what is commonly referred to as AI and BI.
My role is to lead the AI and Emerging Technologies department where we have many talented data scientists who can solve a wide range of challenges, both for the largest and smallest organizations.
Our vision is to be the innovator in data-driven sustainability and insights
Vincent Aardalsbakke, Amesto Nextbridge
What are your objectives for the future?
Our vision is to be the innovator in data-driven sustainability and insight. We want to consolidate this position with both the very largest companies in the Nordic region and the very smallest, i.e. start-ups. Start ups are often focused on innovation and new solutions, which often makes for exciting work when we get to be part of the journey. Hopefully we can identify some together with CAAI.
Do you have a success story or an exciting project you would like to highlight?
I can highlight a project we did for the International Red Cross. We used language processing (NLP) to help the organization deal with the increased amount of information that occurred with COVID-19. After evaluating different methods, we ended up using a BERT model to automatically categorize large volumes of free text reports with human-level accuracy. This resulted in a global dashboard where they now have automated data collection with a full overview of global trends and how resources need to be allocated.
Why do you choose to become partners in the Cluster for Applied AI and what is your current or potential place in the AI ecosystem?
We see clear synergies with CAAI and many overlapping interests. Both are interested in improving the application of AI in society, helping startups with new technologies, and increasing cooperation between public and private actors to accelerate development.
Amesto Nextbridge can contribute with heavy data science expertise that will benefit the entire ecosystem. We have a dozen people with PhDs and an environment with broad experience in R&D work, as well as projects with production deployment and benefit realization of AI solutions.
Cluster for Applied AI welcomes Proactima to the cluster!
- "The Cluster for Applied AI acts as an accelerator for change and innovation when it comes to taking advantage of the opportunities that artificial intelligence offers businesses today and in the future," says cluster leader Marianne Bjerkman.
- However, we see that challenges related to unforeseen issues and risk elements may arise when the technology is to be used. With the expertise that Proactima and its key personnel possess, the company will be able to contribute to a smoother transition for other businesses, while the cluster provides the opportunity to develop a better understanding of the issues together, and for newly acquired expertise for all parties.
We are very happy to welcome Proactima as a new partner in the cluster!
Let's introduce cluster partner Proactima with some quick facts from Rune Winther, Head of Development and Innovation:
What do you do in Proactima and what is your role?
Proactima is a consulting company in the field of risk management and sustainability. Good management requires expertise, planning and practical experience, which Proactima delivers through consulting services, tools, courses and training. We are leading specialists in all our service areas, and all our consultants are specialized in at least one area. Although we started with a focus on the oil and gas industry in 2003, we now work for a wide range of businesses.
Company: Proactima AS, www.proactima.com Who: Rune Winther, Head of Development and Innovation Number of employees: 75
Rune Winter
What are your objectives for the future?
Our vision is to be the leading expert community and preferred partner in risk management, sustainability and societal security.
In particular, we aim to develop our advisory services for clients who are future-oriented, in the sense that they have high ambitions in terms of digitalization and sustainability. Our mission is to contribute to a safer and more sustainable society, and it is crucial that we focus on the megatrends of digitalization and sustainability.
Why do you choose to become partners in the Cluster for Applied AI and what is your current or potential place in the AI ecosystem?
AI, in its various forms, will bring a number of changes to the risk landscape for many actors. In order to fulfill our mission and be a preferred advisor to our clients, it is necessary that we actively participate in the practical exploitation of AI. The Cluster for Applied AI is emerging as the main meeting place for this. Our role in the AI ecosystem will be that of an advisor, ensuring that those wishing to adopt AI can do so in a way that balances benefits and risks appropriately.
The Cluster for Applied AI and NCE Smart Energy Markets offer free continuing education to their members.
Valeriya Naumova is the general manager of Simula Consulting and one of those who have prepared the free further and continuing education course that members in the Cluster for Applied AI and NCE Smart Energy Markets are offered. - It is important that company managers understand what artificial intelligence is and how they can use the technology strategically in their company, she says. PHOTO: Private
- Managers without knowledge of artificial intelligence miss out on many opportunities
Having a conscious relationship with artificial intelligence and understanding the potential of the technology can take companies to new heights.
Compared to the traditional industry that arose in the 19th century, artificial intelligence is a new type of technology. But the truth is that the term "artificial intelligence" arose in the 1950s, and the dream of creating intelligent machines can be traced all the way back to the ancient Greeks, according to an article from Teknisk Ukeblad .
Nevertheless, it is a challenge for many of today's managers to understand how to use artificial intelligence in a strategic way in their company.
- It is important that company managers understand what artificial intelligence is, and not least that they understand what this technology can do for them and how they can use it strategically. If not, they miss out on many opportunities, says Valeriya Naumova, general manager at Simula Consulting.
- Huge potential
Simula Consulting is a company that builds a bridge between research environments and businesses within the public and private sector, and which, among other things, works to train managers in artificial intelligence. The company is also a member of Smart Innovation Norway's business cluster Cluster for Applied AI (CAAI). It is therefore natural that Simula is among the contributors to the continuing and further education scheme offered to the cluster members at CAAI and NCE Smart Energy Markets in the autumn.
- If you are to be successful with innovation for sustainable growth, working with in-house skills development is essential. Artificial intelligence is a technology that has enormous potential for businesses in the years to come, and the beauty of this course is that the training takes place on the premises of the businesses, says Marianne Bjerkman, head of CAAI.
Gain better understanding
The training course in artificial intelligence is intended for managers and middle managers from different businesses and domains. The training takes place in September and October and is carried out with physical meetings at various locations in Eastern Norway.
After completing the training course, the participants should understand, among other things, what artificial intelligence is, what kind of problems the technology is suitable for solving, what role data plays and how to secure a good enough data base to work with artificial intelligence, what dangers arise from using data mistakes, how artificial intelligence should be implemented in the company's business model, and what kind of competence is required in the business.
Several partners
- There is a big difference between traditional technology and artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence is an interactive technology that is constantly being developed and improved by adding new data. But it's not just about getting started with using artificial intelligence. The company's infrastructure, data base and employees must go through adaptation and training to get the best possible benefit from the technology, says Valeriya Naumova.
The further and continuing education course offered by the clusters of Smart Innovation Norway is supported by Viken County Municipality. This means that the offer is free for the cluster members. The aim of the county council's support scheme is increased economic value creation, strengthened competitiveness and more jobs in Viken through the realization of business development projects.
The training is developed and delivered by experienced technologists from Simula Consulting and the Institute of Energy Technology, and Digital Norway and Smart Innovation Norway contribute with their broad expertise related to training, networking and facilitation.
Questions?
Contact Marianne Jansson Bjerkman on +47 924 14 854 or by e-mail .
Now we have become even better at contributing to innovation
Europe does it, and Smart Innovation Norway does it. The Halden company is betting on "communities" and is strengthening its cluster activities, the Smart City initiative and its research work. By working more closely together and distributing resources better, more innovation is created.
In today's world, cooperation, community and participation are becoming increasingly important. It is felt outside Europe, and it is felt at home.
As a consequence of this societal development, Smart Innovation Norway is strengthening and expanding its investment in business clusters, smart cities and social science research. The company launches Smart Innovation Communities and prepares itself for further work by hiring more wise minds, entering into new and exciting agreements, working further
- A strength for being awarded new EU projects
- This is very exciting. There is naturally a difference in innovation by the municipalities in the Smart City work and by the private business life in our clusters, but many times there are the same drivers and the same challenges that are faced, and often the same tools that we need to use in use. Although we work in slightly different ways in the different areas, a lot is about creating security and commitment to driving innovation through sustainable thinking and making use of digitization opportunities. The Smart City work and the cluster economy are very closely linked, says manager of Smart Innovation Communities, Eli Haugerud.
Outside of Europe, there is a large and ever-increasing focus on the human aspect of research projects and innovation work. Smart Innovation Norway's research area for this is called Social Innovation. This competence is very relevant for both municipalities and cluster partners. Customer, citizen and user understanding is central to all innovation, and Social Innovation will therefore also focus on Smart City research going forward.
- We want to put the users in focus, and that is exactly what our social science researchers are doing. They look at the users and the users' needs and how innovation affects them, says Haugerud.
Each focus area will stand stronger by working even more closely together. Municipalities in Smart City work can be pilots in several social science innovation projects both in Norway and in the EU. The clusters know the business world and can contribute with the right research partners. The social science researchers contribute to the smart city projects and the cluster work with the human approach to the innovation work.
- This will be a strength for us when it comes to being awarded new and relevant EU projects, states Haugerud.
Over half of all value creation in Norway takes place in the public sector. One of Smart Innovation Norway's most important tasks is to help others become better at innovating, and the municipalities and public companies are important players both as customers and as clients for Norwegian business.
Creating a good interaction between the public and private sectors is absolutely essential, and the managing director of Smart Innovation Norway, Kjell Reidar Mydske, clearly sees that Smart Innovation Communities will improve and increase the innovation work of both parties.
- It is a strength of ours that we can use the expertise we have in and around the public and private sectors to mutually strengthen each other so that we both get better. Through Smart Innovation Communities, resources can work more and better crosswise, expertise is shared more, and we open up even more learning between the private and public sectors, he points out.
Mydske is satisfied that the Halden company is further developing its many years of good work within Smart City. The EU is very clear that Smart City and user participation are important, and the term "communities" describes a methodology which, among other things, is about working openly and together in order to be able to realize and commercialize research.
- We must invest in open innovation. We have to cooperate. The alternative is for the technologies to be developed and the innovation to take place in companies in China and the USA which will next come here and sell their services here. The EU will counteract that. That's why the EU is betting on "communities", and that's why we're betting on Smart Innovation Communities, says Kjell Reidar Mydske.
CONTACT:
Eli Haugerud, Manager, Smart Innovation Communities
• Smart Innovation Norway AS conducts independent, applied research and specializes in research-based business development within smart energy, smart societies and new technology.
• One of Smart Innovation Norway's main tasks is to promote innovation among public and private actors.
• Many years of experience with innovation work is behind the company's launch of Smart Innovation Communities, which is a strengthening and expansion of the company's investment in cluster operations, Smart City work and social science innovation.
• In order to be able to contribute to innovation in an even better way in both the private and public sector, Smart Innovation Norway links the professional areas even more closely together and opens up for more collaboration across the board.
• The aim is to increase the pace of innovation and to realize and commercialize even more of the innovation through Smart Innovation Communities.
Contribute to a new national centre that will speed up the use of artificial intelligence
Smart Innovation Norway is one of the partners behind the new venture Nemonoor. The scheme will give businesses in production, health, smart cities and communities, as well as energy systems/carriers access to knowledge about applied artificial intelligence (AI). - Having a center like Nemonoor so close to business will make it easier for companies to test AI, says managing director Kjell Reidar Mydske. PHOTO: Anja Lillerud/Mari Kristine Buckholm .
Business gets an even shorter route to some of the country's best players in artificial intelligence when Smart Innovation Norway and seven other strong national players join forces and establish the Nemonoor initiative.
In recent years, Smart Innovation Norway has been heavily involved in artificial intelligence (AI). Among other things, the company has built up the Cluster for Applied AI, a business cluster where companies with expertise in AI can develop further and test out the technology with new partners.
Together with a number of strong players within AI, including Digital Norway, Smart Innovation Norway has now been granted a major EU application. They will form a so-called European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) which will accelerate the use of artificial intelligence in Norwegian businesses throughout the country. The center will be called Nemonoor.
- This is a prestigious assignment and a fantastic opportunity for Norwegian companies to increase their investment in artificial intelligence through access to both the best resources in the country and a close link to strong professional environments in the EU, says Eirik Andreassen, head of Nemonoor.
Provides access to knowledge
The scheme is aimed at private and public enterprises throughout the country. The purpose of the scheme is to give businesses access to the knowledge about applied artificial intelligence (AI) that has been built up on the basis of many years of research, development and innovation.
By accessing the knowledge, the test centers and the network, the aim is for them to succeed in adopting AI as an integrated part of the business.
- Having a center like Nemonoor so close to business will make it easier for companies to test this out. AI is referred to as one of the most important technological developments of our time. In order to maintain a competitive business life in the future, it is important to use artificial intelligence for the benefit of the customers, says managing director at Smart Innovation Norway, Kjell Reidar Mydske.
Initially, Nemonoor will contribute to businesses that work in production, health, smart cities and communities, as well as energy systems/carriers. Application will primarily focus on solutions based on prediction, machine vision and language models.
- We look forward to working closely with the other national and European innovation hubs to ensure that businesses get access to the very best and most relevant services they need, says Andreassen.
EDIHs in all EU member states
European Digital Innovation Hubs (pronounced "eddi") are a central instrument in the EU's new seven-year DIGITAL programme. The purpose is to ensure that private and public enterprises are equipped to adopt advanced digital technologies.
As of today, the EU has committed to the establishment of 136 EDIHs distributed among all EU member states with the aim of ensuring that the knowledge found in each individual country is made available to businesses in other EU countries.
Norway was granted two EDIHs, Nemonoor and Oceanapolis.
Nemonoor consists of DigitalNorway, Institute of Energy Technology (IFE), NORA.ai/UiO, Norway Health Tech, NTNU, SINTEF, Smart Innovation Norway and Ålesund Knowledge Park (ÅKP), and the activities will start in autumn 2022.
Smart Narvik is in the process of testing a digital tourism project
Ann-Hege Lund installs a person counter along the path down towards Rombaksbotn, which is one of the destinations in the AURORAL test period. She is temporary project manager for Narvik municipality's business development company Futurum, and is very involved in the EU project which aims to develop and test how digital platforms can make it easier to live and work in rural areas in various places in Europe. ALL PHOTOS: Private
- The first step to create new jobs and a better offer for citizens
A large local commitment, an exciting EU project, energetic project management, magnificent nature and significant history are some of the factors that will contribute to success in Narvik through the digitization project AURORAL.
A large local commitment, an exciting EU project, energetic project management, magnificent nature and significant history are some of the factors that will contribute to success in Narvik through the digitization project AURORAL.
This summer, hikers to Stetind, Beisfjord minnelund, Fagernesfjellet, Rombaksbotn and Tore Hunds rike in the Hålogaland region in Nordland can become part of an important database that is of great interest to Smart Narvik, Narvik municipality and Visit Narvik.
The five mentioned travel destinations have been selected as test sites in the work to digitalise, improve and increase tourism in the Norwegian districts.
- We have hung up counters and made central parts of the local history available via QR codes at the five destinations, says program leader for Smart Narvik, Mikael af Ekenstam from Smart Innovation Norway.
Has digitized local cultural history
Screenshot from the Auroral site about Stetinden
The work has been done as part of the EU project AURORAL, and three months of registrations of the number of people and the number of scans of the QR codes will hopefully provide an answer as to whether there is a basis for adaptations, improvements and new business activities related to tourism in Hålogaland.
Several parts of the local community have been consulted in the process that has led to the concretization of the project, and it has been important for the project management to connect both politicians and business closely to the processes.
- We feel that we have succeeded in this so far, says af Ekenstam.
Ann-Hege Lund from Visit Narvik is happy that a large EU project such as AURORAL can contribute to creating activity at local level. She is concerned that the municipality must take responsibility for preserving the cultural local history, and an important way to do that is to make it available to everyone.
- Spreading knowledge about history and making it available in a simple way is a form of sustainability. Digitization, in this case using QR codes, allows people to get to know the history of the five test sites. Initially, it is in the form of text and images, but we are working on further developing the project and have both video and an augmented reality as our goal, she says.
Through the use of QR codes and a smartphone, you gain access to more information about the various selected attractions in the project.A little way along the path towards Stetinden, you get access to read the story of the first ascent in 1910.
Mikael af Ekenstam sets up a sign that gives access to more information about Rombaksbotn.
Hope to find answers about transport solutions
Smart Narvik has already received inquiries from others in Hålogaland who are interested in both people counters and QR codes. It fits well with the project's aim to expand the number of test sites during the summer. And the more data you collect, the better data base you get for further work with AURORAL.
And when it comes to autumn's planned analyzes of the summer's data collection, af Ekenstam and Lund are excited about what they find. The results can have large and positive ripple effects for Narvik society and the entire Hålogaland region.
- The data gives us information about the number of walkers and the time of the visit. The analyzes will tell us whether there is a basis for, for example, creating more business, changing current solutions or improving public transport in connection with the destinations. We are particularly interested in transport solutions. In the districts there is often a lack of public transport, and although the primary target group is visitors, we are interested in the opinions of the permanent residents as well, says the Smart Narvik program leader.
In addition to the census, the project will carry out a survey to map what people might want from transport services. Today's public transport services almost require visitors to hire a car if they want to move around the region. And even if the majority of the local population has their own car, it is possible that they would have taken a public bus or used another type of transport such as carpooling if the offer had been there.
It is hoped that statistics from AURORAL will say something about this.
CONTACT PERSON:
Mikael of Ekenstam, Senior Advisor, Smart Cities & Society
Telephone: +47 906 300 82
Email:
mikael.af.ekenstam@smartinovationnorway.com
From left to right: Mikael af Ekenstam (program manager Smart Narvik), Ann-Hege Lund (Visit Narvik), Lars Norman Andersen (municipal director) and Truls Torblå (municipal project manager in AURORAL).
Many advantages of a good data base
In order to avoid the data in the project being manipulated, it has been chosen, among other things, to install the same type of people counters that the Midt-Hålogaland Outdoor Council uses, which are known to be technically reliable. In addition, the counters are placed in narrow places where you have to pass one by one, and in places where you cannot stand.
Such conditions mean that Lund and af Ekenstam feel confident that the collected data will give a real picture of the summer traffic linked to the five destinations.
- A concrete example of using our data against transport services that already exist today is one of the bus services in Narvik, which has tourists as its target group. The bus company's own statistics in combination with our data can give a clear indication of whether and possibly how they should adapt their offer, explains af Ekenstam.
Another element that access to data brings with it is that you have a good numerical basis in application processes. Destinations, paths, signage and other things require maintenance, and by being able to document how many people travel in the area, you are in a stronger position in application processes against the policy apparatus.
But first, the locally produced content in the QR codes will tempt even more tourists and permanent residents out to the five popular travel destinations. And then Smart Narvik, Narvik municipality and Visit Narvik will present the results in the autumn.
- Hopefully, during the winter months, we can develop a new service or new offer that can be tested next summer. We have always been very conscious of concretizing local needs and engaging local stakeholders to give input on what we do. Hopefully we will be left with something good and sustainable on the eve of 2024, say Mikael af Ekenstam and Ann-Hege Lund.
• Narvik municipality is a partner in the international project AURORAL, which is part of the research and development program Horizon 2020.
• In AURORAL, in the period 2021-2024, we will work on developing and testing how digital platforms can make it easier to live and work in rural areas in various places in Europe.
• The use of data and digital platforms has the potential to solve some of the most important issues in such areas, for example by offering solutions that can compensate for long distances and a lack of people.
• Security, privacy and users' control over their own data are key words that are central to the development of the technical solutions in the project.
• AURORAL has a total of 25 European partner organizations from 10 countries that participate in the project in various roles.
• The Hålogaland region is one of the pilot areas in the project and the six other pilot areas are located in Finland, Sweden, Portugal, Austria, Italy and Spain.
• In addition to the large project group, a local reference group has been put together in Narvik to give input to the pilot project and ensure that we do things that are relevant in view of the local needs. An example of a local need is to find out how many people visit the areas, and what needs this triggers for maintenance of paths, waste management and provision for parking.
• The reference group includes representatives from Visit Narvik, Hålogaland Council, Nordland County Council, Midtre Hålogaland Outdoor Recreation Council, Harstad Municipality as well as various tourism and transport companies. In addition, the residents are represented through Skjomen, Beisfjord and Kjøpsvik rural development groups.
On the official website and in the other channels of AURORAL you can find more information about the project:
Copy of A special guest visited the opening day of AI+ 2022
Annita Fjuke (left), Nils-Ola Widme and Ruth Astrid Sæther were impressed to see how the robot dog Spot moved around on stage. PHOTO: Stein Johnsen
When walking across the stage, robot dog Spot showed artificial intelligence in practice and made everyone in Brygga kultursal stretch their necks as he entered the spotlight at the AI+ conference.
Sitting together with the AI+ 2022 hostess Ruth Astrid Sæther on the stage sofa, Nils-Ola Widme from Abelia and Annita Fjuk from Digital Norway which were the speakers to enter the podium after the opening speech held by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, were informed that they would receive a special gift from an even more special gift presenter.
From the side of the stage, a blue robot dog entered the spotlight carrying two books on his back. As this is not an everyday sight even for AI enthusiasts, the four-legged robot got everyone's attention while crossing the scene towards the three people on the sofa.
- Please welcome Spot, Sæther said.
The robot dog is developed by Boston Dynamics and Spot is a platform which Institute of Energy Technology (IFE) uses in research projects. IFE is also one of the initiators to the AI+ conference together with Smart Innovation Norway, eSmart Systems, Halden kommune and Cluster for Applied AI.
Historical soldiers and modern technology
This year's conference is the third in a row, but it is the first full scale hybrid version with live audience. Halden is of course the place with Brygga kultursal as the conference venue surrounded by the historical city square and the harbor and protected by the Fredriksten fortress on top of the hill southeast of the city center.
A pre-opening of the conference took place on Monday with the social event AI & Beer where associated professor at Østfold University College, Henrik Skaug Sætra, talked about AI for the Sustainable Development Goals.
Historically dressed, the Fredrikshald Borgerbevæpning welcomed the guests standing in the sunshine outside the venue Tuesday morning. Fredrikshald Borgerbevæpning is an organization driven by volunteers aiming to preserve and bring the history of this civilian force which guarded the city from 1644 until 1881, to life.
The historical soldiers were a nice contrast to the subject of the two-day AI+ conference - the modern and rapidly growing technology of applied artificial intelligence.
After a cultural kick off with the percussionist Aleksander Kostopoulos who gave the audience a really wakening performance both visually and audially, the Mayor of Halden Anne-Kari Holm wished everyone a warm welcome to the town, and the Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held the opening speech digitally.
Støre spoke warmly about the national AI network and the importance of Norway keeping track of the AI development.
Throughout the day, speakers from Equinor, Digital Norway, Inmeta, Microsoft, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Chronos, Seidr, AI clinic, Oslo university hospital, Kristiania University College, Østfold University College, University of New South Wales in Sydney, Elhub, Abelia and VNNOR held presentations within some of the five topics of this year's conference:
- Smart City and mobility
- AI enabled technology
- Security, ethics and regulations
- Environment and sustainability
- Energy
From speeches to dinner
At lunch, the participants had a short walk through the southern part of the town to eat in Haldens Klub, Norway's oldest eatery of their kind established in October 1786.
The second part of day 1 began with a second performance by percussionist Aleksander Kostopoulos, and 4,5 hours later, when host Ruth Astrid Sæther wrapped the day up and wished everyone a nice evening, members from Fredrikshald Borgervæpning were ready to give a historical guided tour through the city center.
During the afternoon, the conference venue got rearranged turned into a fantastic dining area with great decorations. The first day of AI+ 2022 ended with a pre-drink, a three-course dinner, speeches, and entertainment.
The AI film "Ex Machina" was shown at the Halden cinema theatre after an initiative taken by AI+.
Over 200 people attended the first day physically and about 200 people followed the conference digitally.
Two years of national AI strategy – how are we doing?
NATIONAL KI STRATEGY: Much good has happened in the last two years, but the article's authors believe Norway is still far behind other AI nations. PHOTO: metamorworks/Shutterstock.com
NATIONAL KI STRATEGY: Much good has happened in the last two years, but the authors of the article believe Norway is still far behind other AI nations.
The authors of this op-ed represent stakeholders working together to make Norway an AI nation. We are ready to coordinate more work to ensure that the public and business sectors are enabled to exploit the value creation potential of AI technologies and solutions in collaboration with the research and education sectors.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a technology that solves a type of problem that was previously assumed to be solved by humans. AI now plays a key role in various types of automation and therefore helps to solve tasks more efficiently. One example is the automatic reading of license plates, which makes the parking attendant's job much easier.
At the same time, AI contributes to better quality products and services (AI systems can interpret X-rays more accurately than the doctor) and better tailored to the individual user (recommender systems and precision medicine). AI is also a prerequisite for uncovering patterns and creating insights from the vast amount of data available to us in today's sensor society - something that is not possible for the human brain or solutions based on more traditional technologies.
AI will play an important role in addressing some of the biggest challenges we face as a society.
Clearer specification of the AI strategy
Several positive measures have undoubtedly been initiated since the government launched the national AI strategy in January 2020. These include two new centers for research-driven innovation (SFIs) in AI led by NTNU and UiT respectively, the Data Factory under the auspices of Digital Norway and DigiDir, the Norwegian Data Protection Authority's Sandbox for responsible artificial intelligence, and the award of arena status to the Cluster for Applied AI.
However, it is not clear how these and other measures are part of a systematic effort to make Norway an AI nation. We therefore call for a clear action plan for how the AI strategy will be followed up.
In addition, we note that ownership of the AI strategy has become less clear to outsiders since it was launched by the then Minister of Digitalization Nikolai Astrup. This is partly due to several changes in the names of ministerial posts and ministries during the period. Digitalization is a key factor in the development of society, and if we are to succeed in this, we need stimulation, joint solutions and stronger coordination across areas of use, sectors and administrative levels. We therefore believe that Norway should have a separate Minister of Digitalization with responsibility for both digitization of the public sector and for instruments for increased use of AI and other advanced digital technologies in the private sector.
It is crucial that industry is given better framework conditions to strengthen its innovative capacity, not only to apply but also to develop AI-based solutions. This is an industry that has great export potential if the conditions are right.
Access to data and collaboration
AI is developed based on large amounts of data. This gives Norway a unique opportunity. Norway has large amounts of data in many areas. In combination with trust, this creates fertile ground for cooperation. An expert group has recently been established to present proposals for guidelines and measures concerning responsibility, ownership and rights of use in connection with the sharing of industrial data in industry. We hope this will be a concrete and positive contribution that stimulates stakeholders to exchange data to a much greater extent than before.
We also believe that it is important to further strengthen the framework conditions that create good cooperation between innovation environments, businesses, universities, research institutes, the public sector and investors. For example, the public sector should take an active role through the use of innovative public procurement and public/private cooperation to create a larger domestic market for solutions based on AI.
Platforms for cooperation and funding
Artificial Intelligence has great potential to create sustainable jobs and solutions in Norway, but to achieve this, service development and collaboration between companies, networks, clusters and catapult centers must be facilitated. The new European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) scheme must be fully funded. The EDIH mechanism is designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises and the public sector with digital transformation, and its funding is intended to be shared between the European Commission and national governments.
Unfortunately, the signals we have received are that Norway will not fund its half share. This puts the broad constellation coordinated by Digital Norway, which is applying to establish a Norwegian EDIH in the field of AI, in a difficult situation.
The EDIHs are an instrument that Norwegian businesses have been waiting for. We now hope that the government knows its time and that national funding for the scheme is put in place.
Competition for skills
Employers in business and the public sector have a pressing need for AI-competent workers. The field is growing within Norwegian universities, but it is slow compared to the explosive growth globally and does not reflect that AI should be a priority area in the Norwegian context. We believe that Norway educates too few people with broad and cutting-edge expertise. Another challenge is that the proportion of women is too low.
We recommend that a clear and long-term program for KI be established, which should include specific points for strengthening research and education. Funding for research and education in AI should be structured to create focused environments. And not least, there is a need for funding and adaptation of continuing and further education for industry within AI.
We see a need and a clear desire among Norwegian universities, university colleges and research institutes for more specific measures to strengthen research and education in artificial intelligence. This could include earmarked funding for research schools and for the universities' infrastructure for skills enhancement and computing power in artificial intelligence.
How we will contribute
The "Norwegian national team" for artificial intelligence, represented by the Cluster for Applied AI, the Norwegian Artificial Intelligence Research Consortium (NORA) and the Norwegian Open AI Lab, are now joining forces to map the exciting landscape of Norwegian start-ups related to AI.
This is part of a European collaboration with Sweden, France and Germany that will, among other things, help to make Norwegian companies more visible both nationally and internationally.
The ambition is also to stimulate further collaboration between actors representing the academic and commercial perspectives, as true value-creating innovation often originates from research.
THE AUTHORS:
Trym Holter
Trym Holter, Director of the Norwegian Open AI Lab (NAIL)
Norwegian Open AI Lab (NAIL) is a center for research, education and innovation in artificial intelligence. Located in Trondheim and hosted by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).
Eirik Andreassen
Eirik Andreassen, Coordinator for EDIH, Digital Norway
Digital Norway is a non-profit founded in 2017 by 15 committed business actors to accelerate the digitalization of Norwegian business, with a special focus on small and medium-sized enterprises.
Marianne J. Bjerkman
Marianne J. Bjerkman, Cluster Leader of the Cluster for Applied AI (CAAI)
CAAI will help Norway to take a leading position in the profitable and sustainable use of artificial intelligence (AI) in a business context. The industry cluster is suitable for actors who are currently developing or using AI, or who have decided to do so.
Birte Malene Tangeraas Hansen
Birte Malene Tangeraas Hansen, Innovation and Industry Coordinator, NORA
NORA (Norwegian Artificial Intelligence Research Consortium) is an association of eight universities, three university colleges and four research institutes that collaborate in the field of artificial intelligence with a common strategy to strengthen Norwegian research and education in the field. NORA is also an active driving force for education, business and start-up companies in the field of artificial intelligence.
Digital innovation and sustainable co-created mobility solutions
Photo/illustration: metamorworks/Shutterstock.com
Invitation to the online workshop "Digital innovation and sustainable co-created mobility solutions"
The project Nordic Transition Partnership for Climate Neutral Cities 2030, aims at accelerating the transition in small and medium sized municipalities to become climate neutral by 2030. We help municipalities to turn strategies into action and we want you to exchange experiences and join forces in new initiatives. In our workshop series we present different themes resulting from several deep dive interviews held with Nordic municipalities facing similar challenges.
Therefore, we hereby invite you to take part in the very exciting workshop "DIGITAL INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABLE CO-CREATED MOBILITY SOLUTIONS". We want Nordic municipalities to share knowledge and experience to some defined Nordic climate challenges and solutions.
During the workshop, Truls Torblå and Mikael Af Ekenstam from Narvik municipality in Norway, and Rasmus Grelsson from Östersund municipality in Sweden will share their experiences from two very interesting project cases, AURORAL and MIM.
In the workshop, we will have focus on possibilities and challenges within the following topics:
"Co-creation with end-users", "Treating data as a product" and "Co-creation with mobility providers"
In order to make the most out of Nordic collaboration, please bring your colleges and co-workers to register already today. Registered participants will receive a Teams-link prior to the workshop.
Contact Ulrika Holmgren by e-mail or mobile + 47 467 46 210, if you want to join the network or want to know more.
Shall strengthen the transformation of the industry through artificial intelligence and cluster cooperation
FOUR PARTNERS: For three years, NCE Smart Energy Markets, Cluster for Applied AI, Digital Norway and Kongsberg Klyngen AS will work together to contribute to the green transition in industry. Viken County Council has donated NOK 3 million to the project. Photo: Shutterstock
By Tina Edvardsen, Kongsberg Klyngen AS, December 17, 2021
Viken County Council has decided to support the project "AI Lab - Viken" with a total of NOK 3 million for further development of new expertise and transition to Industry 4.0. The project, which is a cluster-to-cluster collaboration between NCE Smart Energy Markets, Cluster for Applied AI, Digital Norway and Kongsberg Klyngen AS, will together strengthen the green transition of industry over the next three years.
The project is led by Kongsberg Klyngen AS, an industry-driven competence cluster consisting of a number of partners from several industries. In collaboration with the national industrial clusters NCE Smart Energy Markets, Cluster for Applied AI and Digital Norway, they will work together to develop new AI technology related to Industry 4.0.
- "We are very proud of this award from Viken County Council," says Lars Lyshaug, Project Manager at Kongsberg Klyngen.
- Together with industry partners, academia and the three clusters, we can now strengthen AI competence and communicate the opportunities that exist through the use of this technology," he says.
Competitive advantage
The industry in Kongsberg wants to collaborate with the best environments in Norway, and turns to the technology clusters NCE Smart Energy Markets, Cluster for Applied AI and their cluster companies to strengthen their expertise in AI. The cluster companies, in turn, wanted to establish contact with the industry in Kongsberg Klyngen AS.
- One of Norway's advantages is our ability to work together in clusters and projects. By working together as one, we will be able to develop and make technology available faster and more efficiently. There is a large and undiscovered potential here that can help to strengthen our competitiveness both nationally and internationally," Lyshaug explains.
Faster transformation of industry
Through Industripilot Kongsberg, stakeholders from industry and business to the municipality, university and vocational school have worked together to ensure the transition to Industry 4.0, among other things.
- This transition is now further strengthened by the establishment of the "AI Lab - Viken" project, where several good cluster teams that represent important players individually, now stand stronger - together," points out the project manager of the Kongsberg Cluster.
Special advisor at Viken County Council, Trine Magnus, says that the link between Industripilot Kongsberg and the "AI Lab - Viken" project is strong.
- "By connecting competent clusters to build competence around digitalization - especially in AI - we can ensure that key people do not disappear and build competence that is adapted to the new jobs of the future at a faster pace," she says.
The main goal of the project is to build and lift competence into an AI test lab. This will be done through systematic work on developing new expertise at the intersection of digital technology and industry. In this way, the project will be able to define what needs exist and how smart AI technology can be used for the transformation of industry.
What exactly is artificial intelligence?
Artificial intelligence is about developing computer systems that can learn from experience. Just as humans get better at performing actions and solving problems through trial, error and repetition - practice makes perfect for computer systems.
Marianne Bjerkman, Cluster Leader of the Cluster for Applied AI, explains that it is about two main elements - adaptivity and autonomy. Adaptivity is the ability to learn from experience to improve. Autonomy is the ability of systems to solve tasks in complex environments without the help of humans.
From technology to practice
FactoryMind is the name of a company that provides a complete AI platform for the process and manufacturing industry based on Industry 4.0 in the Nordic region. They have been working with innovation processes for a long time and have aimed to make the processes as smart as possible.
- Based on the fact that each plant is unique, they have been able to utilize IoT (Internet of Things, all things that can be connected to the internet), AI and data in general to simplify work processes - which has created great added value, says Inge Grini, CEO of FactoryMind.
- "We are very keen to get closer to the 'AI Lab' project. Together we can help the industry to accelerate its AI efforts," he explains.
FactoryMind is already a member of Kongsberg Innovation's cluster activities, and the parent company Intellectual Labs is a member of the Cluster for Applied AI - an affiliation that opens up more opportunities to dare to think bigger.
- This project can now get stronger support for its efforts both at home and in Asia, where we are established and want to build big," says Grini.
- "We are now working with a foreign investor and Innovation Norway to further develop in India - an exciting target in the world's largest market. Here, the cluster cooperation and the unique networks can really help to accelerate the company," he concludes.
FACTS ABOUT THE PARTNERS:
Cluster for Applied AI & NCE Smart Energy Markets
The Cluster for Applied AI has a number of partners that develop and deliver AI-based products and services for value creation in an industrial context. They address different types of data and analytical tools, enabling challenges such as product and raw material quality, value chain optimization, maintenance, decision support, logistics and sustainability to be solved more precisely and efficiently.
NCE Smart Energy Markets is a cluster focusing on technology for optimizing energy systems, a key component of Industry 4.0. Industry is the sector with the highest end use of energy, and how energy consumption is balanced, both in terms of reduced consumption and transition to renewable energy, is crucial for tomorrow's operations and profits.
The Kongsberg Cluster
Together with industrial partners, the Kongsberg Cluster works with new technologies, builds expertise and shares experiences across the board. In this way, it becomes easier for the actors involved in the community to use the innovations. The Kongsberg Cluster is an industry-driven national competence cluster consisting of a number of partners from several industries. The cluster is facilitated by Kongsberg Innovation.
Our aim is to be a valuable cluster that contributes to strengthening the global competitiveness of the industry.
Digital Norway
DigitalNorway is a non-profit founded in 2017 by 15 committed business actors to accelerate the digitalization of Norwegian business, with a special focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The goal is for all businesses in Norway to be able to take part in the data-driven economy and data-driven innovation in their value chains. DigitalNorway is working actively to promote collaborative projects in data sharing and lifelong learning. The Data Factory and the Lifelong Learning Forum are examples of this. DigitalNorway also works with partners to ensure that companies and employees have access to the knowledge they need in a digital world by offering courses, learning journeys, guides, webinars and other learning content.
