Smart Innovation Norway and Simula’s Department of Applied AI share an ambition to connect world-leading research more closely with Norwegian industry – and to contribute to the development of safe, useful and robust AI.
For AI+ 2026 in Halden this May, the collaboration becomes especially visible: Senior Data Scientist Claudia Battistin from Simula will join the stage to share insights from the frontlines of artificial intelligence (AI) research and safety.
Bridging academia and industry
Simula is a government-owned, but privately run research institute with internationally leading expertise in ICT and AI. Its main objective is clear:
“Simula’s main objective is to solve fundamental problems in ICT that benefit society. In 2025, we established the Department of Applied AI, where we focus on building safe, useful and robust AI innovations, and we want to continue working with companies that push the state-of-the-art in their respective fields, to bridge the gap between academia and industry,” says Omar Richardson, Chief Technology Officer at Simula.
This bridge between cutting-edge research and real-world implementation is at the heart of AI+. As AI adoption accelerates across sectors, ensuring that innovation is grounded in scientific rigor and responsibility becomes increasingly important.
Supporting startups and tomorrow’s industry leaders
Through its partnership with Smart Innovation Norway, Simula’s Department of Applied AI aims to deepen its engagement with startups and scaleups – a key target group for AI+ 2026.
“We want to redefine industry outcomes through innovations, and educate the leaders of tomorrow’s industry,” explains Richardson.
By participating in AI+, Simula contributes not only advanced research expertise, but also a strong commitment to competence-building and long-term industrial development.
World-leading research in AI safety
Simula hosts world-leading expertise in IT and AI and has a long history of successful industry collaborations. According to the national research evaluation EVALMIT 2025, Simula is Norway’s leading research institute in terms of both impact and excellence.
The institute also leads several national and international AI initiatives, including the newly established, nationally funded research centre SURE-AI (December 2025), dedicated to AI safety and security.
The focus on safe and responsible AI aligns closely with the mission of AI+, where technology development, value creation and societal responsibility go hand in hand.
Real expertise on stage at AI+ 2026
At a time when AI discussions are often dominated by hype, AI+ aims to bring forward voices grounded in research, experience and responsibility.
With Senior Data Scientist Claudia Battistin on stage during AI+ Business, participants will gain insights from one of Norway’s strongest AI research environments – directly connected to international research initiatives and national competence-building efforts.
“Together, Smart Innovation Norway and Simula’s applied AI department are helping ensure that Norway’s AI journey is not only innovative, but also safe, responsible and knowledge-driven,” comments Tore Lie, Senior Business Developer at Smart Innovation Norway and AI+ Project Manager.
AI+ 2026 is where that journey continues.
About Simula
- An government-owned, privately run research institute specializing in ICT and artificial intelligence
- Dedicated to solving fundamental ICT challenges that benefit society
- Hosts world-leading expertise in IT and AI
- Recognized as Norway’s leading research institute in its field in the national EVALMIT 2025 evaluation (impact and excellence)
- Leads several national and international AI initiatives
- Hosts SURE-AI (established February 2026), Norway’s new national research center for sustainable, risk-averse and ethical AI.
- Strong track record of successful industry collaborations
