AI+ 2024 Surpasses its Predecessor in Size and Quality
Day 2 of AI+ 2024 unfolded in the bustling Byparken, teeming with attendees. PHOTO: AI+ Stein Johnsen, ContentVideo
Following the many highlights of day 1 – the second day of AI+ 2024 was packed with insightful sessions and engaging discussions, continuing the tradition of delivering high-quality content and fostering meaningful connections among AI enthusiasts.
For some, the day started early with an AI+ morning jog in Halden city center, while others were enjoying their morning brew. At 09:00 the first part of the day started with three parallel sessions. One session focused on the business part of AI, the second focused on risk, and the third focused on AI and education.
Three different perspectives on AI
AI+ business discussed how AI is transforming businesses across various industries, highlighting its impact on efficiency, productivity, and innovation. It emphasizeds the importance of AI in decision-making processes, enabling companies to make data-driven choices and gain competitive advantages. The business session also explored the challenges businesses face when adopting AI, such as data privacy concerns and the need for skilled professionals.
At the risk session speakers from the Institute of Energy Technology, Proactima, and Eggen.ai explored the potential dangers associated with artificial intelligence. They discussed various scenarios where AI could pose risks, such as unintended consequences, bias, and the potential for misuse. The speakers emphasized the importance of addressing these risks proactively to ensure the safe development of AI technologies and the importance of managing AI risk to harness its benefits while mitigating potential harm.
The AI+ education session was held at Halden City Hall. Østfold University College (HiØ) organized a session on AI in the university and college sector. HiØ believes that the sector has a unique starting point for success with AI, which in turn can lead to increased collaboration in research, improved study programs, and a business and public sector that is better able to utilize AI technology.
Ethical and responsible AI discussions
After lunch with time for some food and mingling at Byparken, it was time for the main session of day 2.
Morten L Dahlback from Faktisk.no led the first discussion, joined by Jan Ketil Arnulf and Alex Moltzau. They explored how AI, while aiding in the spread of misinformation, also plays a vital role in our search for truth. By utilizing machine learning and complex algorithms, AI can analyze huge amounts of data faster than human fact-checkers. However, questions arise about whether we can trust machines to guide us to the truth or if they might lead us astray. The panel highlighted the importance of understanding AI`s impact on information reliability and the need for critical thinking in evaluating AI-generated content.
The second panel, led by Gard Støe from AIBA and Nora Antonsen from NAYA, discussed the importance of ethical AI in today’s business landscape. They emphasized that ethical AI is not just a moral responsibility but also a competitive advantage. The panel explored how organizations can turn ethical guidelines into strategic advantages amidst growing competition.
Nora Antonsen is Co-Founder and CPO at Naya Development, a startup providing dignified employment to women in Indian slums to process and label data for use in AI. PHOTO: AI+ Stein Johnsen, ContentVideo
In the third panel, moderated by Marianne Hagelia from HiØ and Ole Tom Seierstad from Microsoft, speakers Hugo Berg Otterlei and Nicolai Halbo from Simonsen Vogt Wiig discussed the balance between technological progress and societal values. They highlighted the need for thoughtful regulations that can foster innovation while protecting societal interests.
The final panel, led by a summarization from an AI, and moderated by Kjetil Staalesen from LO, Ingvild Strand von Krogh from Abelia, Jan Kjetil Arnulf from BI, and Eli Haugerud from Smart Innovation Norway, focused on navigation AI adoption for business value. The discussion revolved around how Norwegian businesses can leverage AI to create real value and differentiate themselves in a competitive global market while adhering to ethical standards and regulations.
The conference concluded that while AI presents immense opportunities, businesses must navigate complex ethical, regulatory, and societal landscapes to maximize its potential benefits.
Thank you all for being a part of AI+ 2024 – we are already counting down the days until we can reunite and continue the AI revolution together!
Award-Winning Salmon Innovation presented at AI+ 2024
Omar Richardson is the CTO at Simula Consulting and has been working closely together with Huawei Norway and Troll Systems to optimize the salmon trap. Last year, the trap sorted out more than 6.000 fish of the unwanted specie humpback salmon. Richardson and his colleague showcased the award-winning AI solution at AI+ 2024. PHOTO: AI+ / Stein Johnsen, ContentVideo.no
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the conservation efforts for Norwegian Atlantic salmon by effectively identifying and sorting out humpback salmon during their migration upriver to spawn. The trap system was showcased during the AI+ Exhibit, and the solution has already gained international attention.
At AI+, the spotlight is on applied artificial intelligence (AI), and the conference showcases numerous examples of AI in action.
Among the highlights of the 2024 program was the AI+ Exhibit, a new feature that provided sponsors and partners with a platform to showcase their innovations to the 371 in-person attendees (463 in total).
Simula Consulting was one of the AI+ sponsors using the AI+ Exhibit as an arena to meet potential customers and partners, engage with the conference attendees, and share their knowledge and expertise. PHOTO: AI+ / Stein Johnsen, ContentVideo.no
Among the exhibitors was Simula Consulting, a sponsor of AI+ 2024, which presented an exciting application of AI technology.
Two Prestigious Awards
In partnership with Huawei Norway and Troll Systems, the technology company has pioneered a solution that utilizes artificial intelligence to detect and divert unwanted humpback salmon, known as ‘pukkellaks’ in Norwegian, into a specially designed trap, preventing them from reaching the river to spawn.
The trap system has been tested in Storelva in Berlevåg in cooperation with the Berlevåg Hunting and Fishing Association, yielding promising results. In 2023, the trap helped prevent over 6,000 humpback salmon from reaching their spawning grounds while allowing the Norwegian Atlantic salmon to continue their journey.
Check out the river management demo below:
The remarkable solution has already received international recognition twice. In 2023, Simula Consulting, Huawei Norway, and Troll Systems were awarded the jury’s special prize at the World AI Cannes Festival. In March 2024, they were honoured with the “Outstanding Mobile Contribution to the UN SDGs” award at the Global Mobile Awards in Barcelona.
During AI+ in April 2024, the conference attendees could view live footage from Storelva in Berlevåg and engage with the developers from Simula Consulting.
“We are proud to have developed this solution in collaboration with Huawei and Troll Systems. It serves as a prime example of our commitment to developing technology that benefits not only the environment but also society at large,” says Omar Richardson, Chief Technology Officer at Simula Consulting.
Important Meeting Place
AI+ 2024 marked the fifth consecutive conference organized by the renowned technology, innovation, and research community based in Halden, comprising the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE), eSmart Systems, Smart Innovation Norway, Halden Municipality, Halden Business Development, and Østfold University College.
With the ambition of creating a premier gathering for applied artificial intelligence, the stakeholders, together with the Halden-based Cluster for Applied AI, will unify politicians, business leaders, researchers, IT professionals, and AI enthusiasts for two days of lectures, debates, parallel sessions, panel discussions, knowledge exchange, and networking in Halden.
The 2024 edition of the conference featured notable names such as State Secretary Tomas Norvoll from the Directorate for Digitization, David Hansen from Microsoft, Cathrine Pihl Lyngstad from the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV), Magnus Sahlgren from AI Sweden, Elisabet Haugsbø from Tekna, Morten Langfeldt Dahlback from Faktisk.no, Torgeir Waterhouse from Otte, Alex Moltzau from NORA, Hanne Heltne from the law firm Advokatfirmaet CLP DA, Niels Goet from Bane NOR, Heine Skipnes from NTNU, and Niklas Kilberg from Volvo Cars.
Pupils Learned About AI
As part of this year’s AI+ event, Smart Innovation Norway and IFE hosted three AI days tailored for all 8th graders in Halden.
In collaboration with the Norwegian Nuclear Decommissioning (NND) and Inspiria Science Center, the initiative offered nearly 400 pupils to explore the fundamentals of AI, witness the technology in action, engage in hands-on activities, tackle technical challenges, and gain a deeper understanding of what the future society and workforce hold.
Feedback about the AI days was overwhelmingly positive, coming from pupils, teachers, and organizers alike.
In anticipation of the AI+, IFE and Østfold University College hosted the academic conference ICAPAI, focusing this year on ‘Human-Centric AI for the Digital Society’. This gathering provides a platform for researchers and professionals to exchange insights and ideas.
In the evening, LO Østfold, NHO Viken Oslo, Kirkens Bymisjon Halden, Halden Chambre of Commerce, and AI+ collaborated to host ‘Kunstig Intelligens på pøbben’, an informal event in Norwegian about AI for the public. The event blended entertainment, culture, and discussions, igniting curiosity about AI and its potential.
Tech and Culture Combined
The annual conference dinner took place at the esteemed Haldens Klub, which hosted over 100 guests. Afterwards, the evening continued with the AI+ Party at Kulturhuset, which offered delightful drinks, a lively atmosphere, and excellent music.
Attendees had the opportunity to join a historical city tour on day 1 and the AI+ Run on the morning of day 2. Another AI+ 2024 sponsor, Computas, gathered people for a mini event with Google as a pre-party to the conference dinner.
Before lunch on day two, participants could select from three parallel sessions based on their interest areas: AI+ Business, AI+ Risk, and AI+ Education.
New this year was AI+’s collaboration with other prominent figures in Halden’s academic and cultural scene. The Fredriksten Opera Festival began its musical program on April 12, while the Halden International Music Film Festival (HIMF) brought the nine-day cultural and technology festival to a close.
AI+ 2024: Highlights from Day 2
Check out our highlighted photos from the second day of AI+ 2024. All photos are by Stein Johnsen / Contentvideo.no.
AI+ 2024: Highlights from Day 1 – Evening
Check out our highlighted photos from the evening activities; Historical Tour of Halden, AI+ Dinner, and AI+ Party. All photos are by Stein Johnsen / Contentvideo.no.
AI+ 2024: Highlights from Day 1
Check out our highlighted photos from the first day of AI+ 2024. All photos are by Stein Johnsen / Contentvideo.no.
Follow the reveals of our AI+ Christmas Calendar
The conference team has prepared an Advent Calendar unveiling updates and surprises every workday until Christmas, starting December 1st. Get ready for an exciting Advent Season with AI+ 2024!
Friday, December 22nd
Meet Fredrik Holm, Mayor of Halden!
As the newly elected mayor, Fredrik is passionate about civilization, society, and community development. His enthusiasm for technology is evident. Hence, it’s undeniable: Fredrik Holm will be a part of AI+ in April!
Discover why Halden’s mayor advocates for AI+ as the premier destination for acquiring cutting-edge insights and expertise in applied artificial intelligence.
Are you as excited for AI+ 2024 as Fredrik? Reserve your spot now!
Today’s door marks the end of our advent calendar – and we’d like to wish all previous and future AI+ participants a very Merry Christmas!
Get to know Erik Åsberg, one of the speakers at AI+ 2024!
He is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at eSmart Systems and has 20+ years of experience in software development for the energy industry, primarily using Microsoft and Oracle technologies.
In 2017, Erik was appointed as a Microsoft Regional Director for Norway. As a Regional Director, Erik is one of 150 individuals worldwide specially chosen by Microsoft as trusted advisors for developers, IT professionals, and Microsoft itself.
During AI+ in April, Erik will discuss how the energy industry can apply artificial intelligence to power grids to increase reliability and resilience.
Are you one of those wondering if artificial intelligence (AI) poses a greater threat than an opportunity – or vice versa? If so, you should head to AI+ 2024 and listen to David Hansen!!
He’s the Enterprise Public Sector Manager at Microsoft Norway and will be discussing responsible use AI with us. For instance: How does AI bring more opportunities than threats? David will share the principles and guidelines Microsoft follows to ensure that AI respects and promotes inclusion, human rights, data security, and privacy. 💡🔍
Best of all, this is just one of the many cutting-edge topics you’ll gain insight into at AI+ in April!
Listen to why senior lawyer John Nilsen believes YOU should join AI+ in April!
John is part of the technology team at Advokatfirmaet Berngaard AS, where he works on IT legal, intellectual property, and privacy law issues. He provides advice and dispute resolution for both public and private clients.
🚀 At AI+ 2024, John is looking forward to building both expertise and networks – and he’s especially excited to meet many amazing people!
Dunamis Technology is a value- and purpose-driven Norwegian company that recognises the significance of people in digitalisation and cyber security, valuing them just as much as technology.
As digitalisation accelerates, a fresh perspective on digital security is essential. Novel challenges, heightened complexity, and increased speed demands innovative approaches to thinking and management. Dunamis addresses these demands by offering services and solutions to empower companies to succeed in digital transformation.
Dunamis’ mission is to simplify and demystify cyber security, firmly believing that even small security measures can produce a significant impact.
Embracing the potential of AI, Dunamis recognises the essential contribution of this technology to cybersecurity. In an era where cyber-attacks grow in complexity and sophistication, AI becomes instrumental in enhancing cyber security efficiency. Moreover, AI makes cyber security accessible to companies of all sizes.
While artificial intelligence is a relatively new topic within the cyber security domain, its potential to significantly improve organisations’ ability to defend against cyber threats is undeniable.
We highly appreciate Dunamis Technology’s sponsorship of AI+ 2024! 🤝
Technology and Culture converge in an extraordinary experience when AI+ 2024 presents “AM I HUMAN?” – a novel choreographic masterpiece by Sara Stang Møller, an innovative choreographer and dancer from Halden.
She describes the spectacle as a journey into the fantastic world of Artificial Intelligence inspired by science fiction and manga (Japanese comics). Let yourself to be captivated by the wonder and concern for where this technology will lead us.
The show premiered autumn 2023 in Halden and has since been featured in Sarpsborg.
The Festina Lente Produksjoner Dance Company is the producer of the show, with Aurora Itland, Carl André Johansson and Amalie Sunde as co-creative dancers on stage.
We are eagerly looking forward to the joint performance of Artificial Intelligence and Culture at the opening of AI+ 2024 in Brygga kultursal, Halden.
In today’s door, we want to spread some Pre-Christmas joy! Get a whopping 40% discount on tickets until 11:59 PM on December 17!
Several speakers are confirmed, and the first draft of the program is now available. Secure your spot at the conference and gain insights from industry leaders in Artificial Intelligence.
Aside from the conference, which provides expert insights on stage, the chance to witness Artificial Intelligence in action, and valuable networking opportunities. There will also be various cultural experiences in Halden throughout the week, including film, music, and positive vibes.
REMEMBER: Use discount code 14DEC40WEB – and get your tickets today!
Meet Fredrik Bringager, Head of Business Development at Hive Autonomy – one of Norway’s most exciting tech companies, implementing autonomous systems for increased efficiency and safety, and substantially reduced CO2 emissions.
Bringager is speaking at AI+ 2024 about the future of autonomous logistics chains based on the rapid development of advanced technologies like computer vision, point data, and machine learning.
“I’ll highlight several examples related to use cases that we are working on, including collaborations with ASKO and Yara,” says Bringager.
Curious about autonomous logistics? Excited to delve into robotics and autonomy with Fredrik Bringager? Join AI+ 2024!
Get to know our sponsor Aider! They like numbers. Love them, actually. But for Aider, accurate accounting isn’t the ultimate goal – it’s just the beginning. It’s the foundation upon which everything else is built.
Aider believes that the accounting industry needs to be redefined. And they are the ones to do it.
The enthusiasm in the interaction between people – and in the meeting between people and technology – generates energy and endless possibilities. They are here to help people succeed, and together, they will shape the future.
That’s why Aider isn’t just another accounting firm. They are the industry’s biggest challenger. A leading knowledge hub that sets the bar when it comes to technology and skilled individuals. They have brought together the very best environments in accounting, technology, and business development from across Norway.
They will achieve this with talented individuals, simplification – and with their eyes fixed far ahead. They cultivate the combination of technology that is easy to understand, exceptionally skilled people who care – and the opportunities that arise from challenging and always thinking ahead.
And in this way, they help today’s and tomorrow’s leaders succeed with their decisions.
We highly appreciate Aider’s sponsorship of AI+ 2024!
Meet Kang Cheng, CEO of AI innovation company BakuAI. He is attending AI+ 2024 for a special reason. Check it out in the video below:
BakuAI is a young company composed of a team whose core members have over 10+ years of experience in relentlessly pursuing advances in AI technology. With their proven ability to adapt and innovate, they have successfully developed AI solutions in industries ranging from healthcare and finance to agriculture and manufacturing.
Welcome back to AI+, our distinguished moderator Ruth Astrid Sæter! After leading three high-quality conferences on applied artificial intelligence (AI), she returns in 2024. Wondering why? Check out the video.
For the fourth time, Ruth Astrid Sæter will guide us through a program packed with highlights— including highly topical talks on stage, panel discussions with key actors in the AI ecosystem, questions from the audience, AI demos, and networking, among other things.
Sæter is a former journalist with many years of experience from Norwegian newspapers and the monthly magazine HENNE. Since 2009, she has worked in the field of communications, with a primary focus on climate, energy, and the environment. Among her previous employers are the environmental foundation Bellona and the Norwegian Research Council.
We’re excited to meet both Ruth Astrid and next year’s participants at AI+ 2024!
Get to know our sponsor Logiq! As one of the leading Nordic players in Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), Logiq closely monitors AI development. The company will leverage Artificial Intelligence wherever it can provide added value to its customers.
The exchange of digital business documents forms the foundation for efficient trade between companies. Both customers and suppliers require accurate information at the right time.
Logiq is the leading Nordic Digital Trading Network for companies in transaction-heavy value chains, and its cloud-based platform offers a secure environment for the exchange of digital trade documents. The acquired insight from these exchanges, places Logiq in a unique position to contribute to both process and product innovation – for the benefit of their customers.
By combining in-depth expertise in EDI with innovative use of big data and new technology, Logiq develops value-added services that provide their customers with better insight, greater control, and new business opportunities.
We highly appreciate that Logiq sponsors AI+ 2024!
Today’s calendar door holds quite a treat! Until midnight, you can secure tickets to AI+ 2024 with a whopping 50 % discount. Use discount code 6DEC50.
This very special offer allows you to snag the ultimate Christmas gift – either for yourself or someone dear – namely, knowledge.
In addition to the conference itself, which offers expert insights from stage, the opportunity to witness artificial intelligence in action and valuable networking, Halden will deliver several cultural experiences this week, including film, music, and great vibes.
Join us on the journey towards innovation, knowledge sharing, and societal development. REMEMBER: The offer expires at midnight, so get your tickets today!
What’s true and what’s not? It can be extremely challenging to distinguish amidst the myriad of information constantly bombarding us in today’s media landscape.
At AI+ 2024 in April, Dr. Morten L. Dahlback from Faktisk.no will join us precisely for this purpose: to uncover “fake news” and verify the sources and messages we receive.
Dr. Dahlback is the Head of Innovation and Technology at Faktisk.no, responsible for editorial development, as well as fact-checking and artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives. He oversees Faktisk.no’s strategic partnerships, including collaborations with MediaFutures and Meta. He is also part of the management team for the Nordic collaborative project NORDIS. Dahlback holds a PhD in Philosophy from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and has served as a visiting researcher at Rutgers University and the Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy.
Faktisk.no AS is a non-profit organization and an independent editorial entity dedicated to fact-checking societal debates and public discourse in Norway.
Seize the opportunity to learn from one of Norway’s leading experts on AI and disinformation at AI+!
AI+ places our time’s most significant technology on the agenda! If you are interested in or work with applied artificial intelligence, Halden is the place to be on April 17th and 18th, 2024.
During this time, AI+ will host a major two-day conference with the goal of being a platform and meeting point for those who want to hear, see, and learn about the latest developments in artificial intelligence.
Listen to our Project Manager, Tore Lie, explaining why AI+ 2024 is a must-attend event:
The international conference on applied artificial intelligence (AI) will be held for the fifth time on April 17th and 18th next year – and the topic is becoming more relevant by the day. It’s challenging to stay in the forefront of such rapid development!
In 2024, we’ll shine a light on how to control the use of foundation models (like ChatGPT) and other AI tools that challenge the way we work. For example: How will the EU’s AI Act affect businesses and public services?
