The session opened with short perspectives from Niels Nagelhus Schia (NUPI), Heather Broomfield (The Norwegian Digitalisation Agency, Digdir), Hildegunn McLernon (Kongsberg Maritime) and Morten Dæhlen (University of Oslo) who set the stage for the panel discussion.
Cooperation and collaboration
Nagelhus Schia emphasized that “Technology is no longer just innovation policy, it is foreign policy, it is security policy, and increasingly, it is trust policy.” He concluded that cooperation and collaboration across borders is critical for trustworthy AI in democratic societies.
Norway's framework
Broomfield outlined Norway’s framework for trustworthy AI in the public sector. She explained that it is grounded in legitimate and trusted institutions, shared public values, robust governance, high quality public data, a well informed and highly digitalized population, and targeted research, such as the multidisciplinary research conducted by TRUST. As she noted, “Norway is entering this transformation consciously and deliberately.”
AI is transforming industry
McLernon demonstrated how AI is transforming the maritime industry. Kongsberg Maritime also needs trustworthy AI for the equipment they have on over 30 000 vessels worldwide. They use insights from data to create smarter solutions. In the future, all vessels will be connected, and this will change the way they operate. Kongsberg Maritime will operate with continuous and preventive maintenance, autonomous vessels and remote support. AI is a key enabler of this transition.
Trustworthy AI is green AI
Dæhlen introduced the AI center TRUST and explained how trustworthy AI must not only be human-centric, but also planet-centric. How can we develop green AI for the green transition? We have to move from larger to smaller models, to neuromorphic and optical computing, to data sharing and data reduction. We must make ESG frameworks AI-aware, prioritize the earth’s health, and develop a tax system for digital resources. He concluded that there are also possible positive effects of AI, as a catalyst for the green transition. Perhaps AI can even help decouple economic growth from overuse of Earth’s resources?
AI's role in our future
Minister Tung's talk focused on the role AI will play in future innovation, growth, competitiveness. “Artificial intelligence can help create a better world by reducing inequality, improving health and safety, supporting the green transition, promoting creativity and education. However, to realize this potential, AI must be safe, it must be trustworthy, and it must be secure.” Norway is making a framework for this.
Global cooperation
The talks were followed by a panel with participants from Luanna Roncaratti (Brasil), Yukio Teramura (Japan), Amlan Mohanty (India), Sindhu Gangadharan (India) and of course Norway’s own minister for digitalization Karianne Tung. The panel was moderated by Digdir Communications Director Mala Wang-Naveen. Panel participants highlighted the need for cooperation in building trustworthy AI, ensuring the safety of citizens, and using AI to solve the needs of their countries while ensuring inclusivity.
The event was also featured in The Lucknow Tribune.