Too much has happened over the years to list it all here, but I would like to highlight a few recent and important developments in the AI research community.
The last weeks I have had the pleasure of attending the launch of Olivia, Norway’s new AI supercomputer, and witnessing the inception of six new Norwegian AI research centers. Earlier this spring we also received the fantastic news that a new AI research school will be funded, NORA-HS. This research school will complement our existing technology-focused research school by focusing on the societal impact of AI. Together, these initiatives mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter for artificial intelligence in Norway, driven by a strong commitment to world-class research, education and innovation. New research projects will start, new research positions will open, and the next generation of AI researchers will be trained.
Another recent structure we have established is Nordic AIR, a strong and robust academic AI collaboration across the Nordic countries. In these geopolitically challenging times, I believe it is more important than ever to strengthen ties with our Nordic neighbors.
On top of that, we’ve had a very busy June! We organized the NORA annual conference, featuring a rich and engaging program. We also played a role in organizing FENS Regional Meeting (FRM), especially the CuttingEdgeAI event at FRM, which drew considerable attention. One of the highlights was having the president of NeurIPS, Terry Sejnowski, participate in the CuttingEdgeAI event, alongside Ken Harris, Mazviita Chirimuuta, and Gaute Einevoll - Gaute also as an organizer and podcast host. Terry has been a pioneer in what we now call NeuroAI since his first publication in 1976. Terry was awarded the prestigious 2024 Brain Prize, and I had the honor of chairing his Brain Prize Lecture in Oslo during FRM.
As I now step down, it’s comforting to know that there were many excellent candidates for the CEO role. I was not part of the selection process, but I was proud to learn that NORA’s own Michael Solvang came out on top in what was a very competitive field. With Michael stepping in as the new CEO, I am confident that NORA is in great hands!
Since our first day in April 2019, we’ve built a culture in the NORA secretariat that I’ve truly appreciated, marked by hard work, a strong collaboration, and plenty of fun. To symbolize the leadership transition, we made a video where I pass a relay baton to Michael. We thought this would be a fitting metaphor, and what a good metaphor it was! It is not with easy heart I leave NORA, and the handoff was accompanied by a mix of great pleasure, but also pain. Watch the video yourself ... (BTW: my pain was due to a minor leg injury I sustained in a run last weekend…)
With that, my time as CEO of the NORA secretariat comes to an end. However, I will still be an active part of NORA. After all, NORA isn’t the secretariat, it’s YOU, the research community! From now I’ll continue to support and help growing the NORA Norwegian Artificial Intelligence Research Consortium from outside the secretariat, from within the research community.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has contributed to building the NORA community - all the passionate Norwegian researchers and our collaborators! A very special thanks goes to my current and former colleagues in the NORA secretariat: Anam Javaid, Ivan Dragicevic, Alex Moltzau, Birte Hansen, Sachin Gaur, Bjarte Håvik, Kushtrim Visoka, Synne Gjønnes, Michael Solvang, Margrete Alva, Justin Dickhoff, Geir Halnes, Snezhina Duevska, Andrea Gasparini, Anne-Kat Hærland, as well as the dScience staff working supporting NORA - Eva Ekroll, Cecilie Ellefsen and Christoffer Hals. And of course, a big thanks to all the present and former NORA board members and board leaders, especially our current board leader Tom Ryen, and to Morten Irgens, Aslak Tveito and Morten Dæhlen for their important roles in establishing NORA and their strong support along the way. Least, but not at all last, a big thank you to NORA’s first board leader, Pinar Heggernes, and to Morten Dæhlen – both Pinar and Morten were part of the hiring committee hiring me back in 2019 and they have been highly important both for me and for NORA from the very beginning.
There are so many more I could have mentioned, I will leave it with a big Thank you all!
