Contents
4
Strategy Overview
NORA developed a strategic plan for 2020-2022 in 2020. The strategy helped NORA prioritise and structure its work in order to achieve tasks set by the NORA partners. The strategy outlined NORA's ambition, vision, mission, and strategic goals.
NORA’s mission as outlined in the strategy is to:
Facilitate national and international research cooperation in AI, contribute to greater collaboration between academia and businesses, promote ethical, transparent and inclusive AI, become a national access point for AI competence and infrastructure
NORA’s vision as outlined in the strategy is:
International relevance and excellence in AI research, education and innovation for Norwe­gian universities and research institutions
NORA’s ambition as outlined in the strategy is to:
Become an internatio­nally known AI research and education network

Overview of NORA's

strategy 2020-2022

1. Excellent AI research and innovation, through:
  • Providing support for and coordinating research applications
  • Creating arenas for interaction and cooperation
  • Taking an active part in establishing startup companies in the field of AI
2. Excellent AI education and training, through:
  • Increasing focus on AI in education and knowledge development, helping to create the workforce of tomorrow
  • Conducting PhD­ seminars, conferences, and networking events
  • Establishing a research school in AI, machine learning and robotics, supporting graduate students at top international level
  • Increasing knowledge about AI in general
3. Trust-based and transparent use of AI through ethical awareness, through:
  • Contributing to a more responsible and ethical framework for AI both nationally and internationally
  • Promoting the use of fair algorithms to correct discrimination and human bias
  • Raising awareness about AI among our partners and in society in general
  • Creating NORA as a national brand and trademark in the area of trustworthy AI
4. Leading network for AI, machine learning and robotics, through:
  • Formalise and streamline the coope­ration between the NORA­ partners
  • Become a prominent hub and research initiator in the Nordic countries
  • Seek international cooperation and cooperation with businesses
Launch of Norwegian AI Strategy
On Tuesday 14 January 2020, former Minister of Digitalisation, Nikolai Astrup, launched Norway’s first strategy for AI, less than a year after the govern­ment had announced that it would be launching such a strategy.

During the launch, former Minister Astrup empha­sised that this was a field in rapid development, and that the strategy would not answer all questions regarding AI in Norway. However, the strategy will provide direction and thus serve as a framework for both public and private entities seeking to develop and use AI over time.

The strategy focuses on defining AI and on de­scribing some areas where it will be important for Norway to exploit the opportunities offered by AI. Former Minister Astrup told the audience during the launch that much of the input and contributi­ons to the strategy have been regarding data and regulations. Both topics have been extensively dis­cussed in the strategy. The strategy outlines several measures and initiatives that the government will implement in the coming time.

The strategy describes Norwegian society as characterised by trust and respect for funda­mental values such as human rights and privacy. The government wants Norway to lead the way in developing and using AI with respect for individual rights and freedoms. This can become a key advan­tage in today’s global competition. The government believes that:

• AI that is developed and used in Norway should be built on ethical principles and respect human rights and democracy

• Research, development, and use of AI in Norway should promote responsible and trustworthy AI

• Development and use of AI in Norway should safe­guard the integrity and privacy of the individual

• Cyber security should be built into the development, operation and administration of systems that use AI

• Supervisory authorities should ensure that AI sys­tems under their areas of supervision are operated in accordance with the principles for responsible and trustworthy use of AI

• During the launch, NORA`s CEO asked the for­mer Minister about the strategic incentives for strengthening AI in the higher education sector. In his response, the former Minister emphasised that the number of ICT students has increased through targeted funding in recent years. However, there are limits to this targeted funding. This means that universities and colleges must themselves prioritize this over something else, which can be challenging.
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