Cluster for Applied AI receives support for further development

Cluster for Applied AI receives support for further development:

- We have shown that the environment is viable and that the ecosystem can already show results

Smart Innovation Norway has received funding from Viken County Council to further develop the Cluster for Applied AI on behalf of the cluster's partners.

By Mari Kristine Buckholm , 24 June 2020

Last September, the initiators Smart Innovation Norway, eSmart Systems, IFE and Østfold University College launched a new, national cluster for artificial intelligence, called Cluster for Applied AI .

• Read also: Smart Innovation Norway launches new AI cluster

- Through the work with the cluster in phase 1, we have shown that the environment is viable and that the ecosystem can already show results. The new funds are a prerequisite for being able to continue the work of supporting and developing the offer for the partners, and we are pleased that the county council wants to contribute to this important initiative, comments Marianne Jansson Bjerkman, project manager for the Cluster for Applied AI at Smart Innovation Norway .

Good offer for partners

The industry cluster will contribute to Norway taking a leading position in the profitable and sustainable application of artificial intelligence (AI) in a business context. This means making Norwegian companies sustainable and ready for a new world - which will be largely governed by artificial intelligence.

• Read also: Almost 100 attended the kickoff for the AI cluster

The support from the county council amounts to NOK 725,000 (total budget for the project is NOK 1,450,000), and the project period extends until the end of February 2021.

- For Smart Innovation Norway, the new funds mean that we can continue the work we do to facilitate the cluster and the network in a good way, and for the partners it will mean a continued good offer going forward, says Jansson Bjerkman.

AI for the good of society

Already at the launch this autumn, Smart Innovation Norway had gathered over 40 key organizations from both private business, the public sector and academia in the cluster. Today, the Cluster for Applied AI consists of more than 60 members and partners.

The project manager hopes that the development will continue and that more small and medium-sized companies that use artificial intelligence today or that aim to start using the technology will join the good AI community.

- The cluster's vision is to create a world where Norwegian business is equipped to be able to use AI for the good of itself and society. To achieve this, together with our partners, we will work to develop the environment and the network, contribute to Norwegian and Nordic cooperation, initiate projects where artificial intelligence is used, develop and carry out training activities and cooperate with authorities. We will also look at opportunities to help Norwegian partners offer their solutions internationally, Jansson Bjerkman points out.

Eventful autumn

She encourages all interested actors and partners to follow the cluster's activities throughout the autumn. Among other things, training in innovation methodology is offered, and 15.-16. September, the very first edition of the conference AI+ will take place - which this year will be run digitally.

• Read also: Next year, the major initiative AI+ will be organized for the first time

- We start up after the summer with a breakfast seminar related to security together with our cluster partner Zacco, and we look forward to an exciting autumn!, concludes the project manager.