2024

Collaboration, collaboration, collaboration. That should be the mantra for larger projects of national importance. Now it’s time to build and understand the larger foundation models that will serve as infrastructure for Norwegian industry and the public sector. To succeed with these major AI projects, we need a coordinated effort from the most competent forces in Norway. I expect 2025 to be the year where national AI collaboration and coordination become even more essential.

It's been a year of growth at NORA.ai, both in the organisation as a whole and in the secretariat, where several new staff has been added to the team. To ensure daily operations are running smoothly with an expanded network and more staff at work, Senior Research Advisor Michael Solvang has stepped into the role as Chief Operating Officer.

Sushant Gautam is a PhD student at the Simula Metropolitan Center for Digital Engineering in Oslo and a member of the NORA Research School. He is one of 71 students joining the Enrichment scheme at the Alan Turing Institute in the UK, which offers students currently enrolled on a doctoral programme the opportunity to enrich their studies by building connections with The Alan Turing Institute and engaging with its diverse community of researchers. It also provides funding to support research and training activities. We asked Sushant about his work and expectations:

We're happy to introduce the new student council leader for NORA Research School: Franziska Jessica Schoeb! Here are her thoughts about her new role:

On October 21-22, the largest gathering of AI researchers in the Nordics took place in Helsinki, Finland, when the country's annual AI Day joined forces with Nordic AI Meet. Almost 400 of the brightest young minds in machine learning and artificial intelligence gathered for a joint program of scientific presentations, posters, socials and industry sessions.

The event brought together researchers, companies, students and the public sector involved in the fast-developing field of AI, ensuring matchmaking, information sharing and collaboration across borders and sectors - this was truly an event not to be missed!

The NORA team has expanded quite a lot this year, with three new staff members joining us over the summer period, and two more now this fall: welcome to the team, Geir Halnes and Anne-Kat. Hærland!

We're pleased to announce our newest strategic partner!

This year's Nordic AI Meet took place in Helsinki, Finland on October 21-22. The conference is alternating between the Nordic countries and has become THE annual meeting point for AI researchers in the Nordics. 

The third PRESIMAL Autumn School was organized at the beautiful Ørland Kysthotell from the 18th to the 20th of September. Over 50 young researchers (MSc, PhDs, post-docs), medical doctors, and senior scientists met to discuss and learn about the latest developments in AI and medical imaging. We had students and lecturers from various institutions, including Harvard Medical School, Ahus Hospital, Haukeland University Hospital, Nordlandssykehuset, Oslo University Hospital, Stavanger University Hospital, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, HVL, Kristiania, NMBU, NTNU, SIMULA, SINTEF, UiB, UiO, UiT, UNN and NORA.ai. 

NORA is collaborating with Helmholtz Information & Data Science Academy (HIDA) on a research exchange between Norway and Germany. All 18 research centres of the Helmholtz Association are open for collaboration, and is an excellent opportunity for PhDs and postdocs with a working contract at one of the NORA partners to experience an new culture and scientific community. Postdoctoral research fellow Qixia Zhang at UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, took advantage of this opportunity, and told us about his experience:

We have expanded our team this summer, with three new staff members. Coming from three very different academic and professional backgrounds, their skills and knowledge complement and strengthen the already existing team, and we're looking forward to a productive fall term here at NORA!

Recordings of the event are now available online.

NORA was present at Arendalsuka, and with us in the debate at the UiA tent, we had researchers, a very musical representative of the banking sector, the Minister of Digitalisation, and a comedian – it was bound to be interesting!

Stefano Nichele, Professor at Østfold University College (HiØ) and Director of Østfold AI Hub, receives prestigeous international award

“We are all social democrats!” These were the words of the conservative politician John Lyng in response to Norwegian politicians’ ability to come together and agree on important solutions to societal challenges. Specifically, the context was the Norwegian welfare system and the introduction of “Folketrygden,” the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme.

The NORA Summer School 10-14th of June at the University of Agder (UiA) in Kristiansand was blessed with excellent weather. Kristiansand truly lived up to its reputation as a "Sørlandsperle". Big thanks to Elisabeth Rasmussen, Ling Jiang,  and Morten Goodwin for their assistance. 

The NORA Annual Conference 2024 gathered the Norwegian AI-community in Kristiansand for a two-day packed high quality program where participants shared research, ideas, theories, models and new perspectives. It was a wonderful networking opportunity. Thank you to everyone that contributed to make the Annual Conference once again a huge success! Read a recap and see images from the conference below. 

Professor Sølve Selstø has written a practical textbook that provides an innovative approach to learning quantum physics, published by the prestigious Cambridge University Press.

As we prepare for the NORA Annual Conference 2024, it's time to start considering potential locations for the NORA Annual Conference 2025. As you may know, the venue for the NORA Annual Conference rotates among different partner cities each year.

In 2023, NORA experienced significant developments in AI within Norway, expanding its network with new partners and strategic partners, and enhancing its national role in AI research, education, and innovation. Download the Annual Report 2023 to get a complete overview. 

On Monday, 22nd April, NORA convened the general assembly with its partners and elected a new board comprising of both new and former board members.

There is broad agreement that Norway must continue to invest in open Norwegian language models going forward. This was highlighted at the latest CuttingEdgeAI event about open Norwegian Language Models as common property.

"There are many problems associated with the tech giants' language models. They appear as black boxes to the outside world. We need Norwegian alternatives", says Professor Erik Velldal, at the Department of Informatics at the University of Oslo (UiO). 

On the 8th of March, NORA.ai hosted the second annual Women in AI celebration in Domus Bibliotheca, Oslo. NORA.ai, in collaboration with its partners, has dedicated efforts towards supporting consortium partners, startups, and companies, as well as individual researchers, in addressing the pressing issue of gender disparity within the field of AI. By providing a platform for open discussion, NORA aims to foster initiatives that can promote a more inclusive environment in AI research, education, and industry. 

Missed the event? No worries! You can now see recordings of the presentations at the end of this article. 

NORA is building a stronger Norwegian culture of innovation within artificial intelligence. We are therefore looking for a new Innovation and Industry Coordinator (Senior Adviser). You will be responsible for innovation-related tasks (NORA.startup) and supporting our partners in their business collaborations and coordination of research-driven innovation between universities, research institutions, startups, and industry. 

Application deadline: 7. April.