When Norway’s Minister of Digitalisation and Public Governance, Karianne Tung, visited AI+ 2026 in Halden on Wednesday, her message was clear: Norway must accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence – without compromising the values we want to protect.
The minister first opened AI+ Public Sector at Østfold University of Applied Sciences before heading to AI+ Business at Byparken, where she joined a conversation with moderator Ruth Astrid Sæter and met participants from business, academia and the public sector.
(You can watch the full conversation at the bottom of this article.)
“The most important thing is to be able to hold two thoughts in your head at the same time,” Tung said.
“We must combine speed with responsible use. That means being curious, exploring the opportunities, and scaling what works.”
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“More Important Than Ever”
For the minister, her visit to Halden was also a recognition of the role AI+ has established as a meeting place for discussions on technology, innovation and artificial intelligence.
“The fact that AI+ is now being held for the seventh consecutive year in Halden really shows that Halden is Norway’s IT city and has positioned itself at the centre of the country’s digital development. That is something I greatly appreciate and support.”
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She also highlighted the importance of arenas where different parts of society can come together to discuss how technology should be used.
“We are living through the fastest technological, political and perhaps even economic changes we have ever witnessed. That means meeting places like this – where businesses, researchers, the public sector and civil society can meet, discuss and share experiences – are more important than ever.”
Leadership and Digital Sovereignty
During her conversation at AI+ Business, Tung also touched on topics such as digital sovereignty, national control and Norway’s dependence on international technology providers.
She emphasised that digital preparedness involves much more than software alone.
“It is about access to critical minerals, microchips, fibre cables, data centres, data, skills, research, hardware and software. There are many layers to this.”
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According to the minister, Norway must both understand its digital vulnerabilities and maintain the ability to act when circumstances require it.
At the same time, she stressed that artificial intelligence is ultimately about more than technology.
“Yes, this is about technology, but it is also about the responsibility of leaders. Leaders must ensure that technology is used in ways that create value and contribute positively to both organisations and society.”
Protecting Our Values
While Tung believes Norway must increase the pace of AI adoption, she was equally clear that development must happen responsibly.
“At the same time, we must protect the values we want to safeguard: non-discriminatory models, openness, transparency, equality and fairness in the way technology is deployed.”
She added that organisations must also be willing to discard solutions that do not work.
“We must be able to throw what does not work into the bin quickly. That is how we can ensure that artificial intelligence is used in the best possible way.”
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AI+ 2026 was held for the seventh time in Halden this week, bringing together more than 90 speakers and contributors across 31 events over four days. The dates for next year’s edition have already been announced: save the date for 24-29 May 2027.
Watch the conversation between Norway’s Minister of Digitalisation and Public Governance, Karianne Tung, and moderator Ruth Astrid Sæter at AI+ Business:
