This report is written in a year where the AI-billion investment will unfold in Norway. The report will be set in set in the context of this investment and its likelihood of having transformative effects on the Norwegian AI landscape. The report should prepare NORA to maintain its leading role in coordinating AI research, innovation and education even if this, on the partner’s or the government’s initiative, requires changes to be made in NORA’s structural organization.
The report represents a survey of what organizational forms may be fit for NORA, considering NORA’s mandate and future goals. As a part of this survey, a questionnaire was distributed among NORA's partners and associates, soliciting their opinions on topics related to a possible future reorganization of NORA. While the report is written by members of NORA’s secretariate, it incorporates responses from the questionnaire alongside feedback from NORA's general assembly.
As a main conclusion of this survey, most NORA partners recommend deferring decisions about organizational restructuring until the government provides clearer direction on national AI strategies. To prepare for potential future developments, we still include a discussion on whether NORA's objectives and member interests would be better served by maintaining its current consortium structure or by establishing NORA as an independent legal entity.