AI for business and society – AIBS
Just over a year ago, the Norwegian government and the Research Council of Norway launched an AI research initiative by inviting proposals for national AI research centers, with a total budget of 1 billion NOK.
NHH, led by the DIG research center, has mobilized partners across academia, as well as the private and public sectors, to prepare a proposal for a national research center that places AI for business at its core
More specifically, the center focuses on the strategic and organizational challenges of adopting and implementing AI technologies, the ability of private and public organizations to create and capture value from AI, and the implications for the future of work and the workforce at large, while also ensuring the sustainability of the welfare state.
The Research Council has received 50 applications for grants and for status as one of 4 to 6 national research centers on AI.
- This is one of the few, or maybe the only, application that focuses on AI in business and what it means as an organizational problem, says head of DIG, Professor Bram Timmermans. He says that DIG has submitted a very strong application and has mobilized a broad range of partners from inside and outside the academic sector to make up a strong team behind the application.
Four main themes for AIBS
The first two subjects focus on competition, innovation, leadership (theme 1), AND labour markets and workforce transformation (theme 2). This will examine how firms and workers integrate AI to achieve competitive advantage, enhance productivity, and adapt to workplace changes.
The last two subjects are policy, taxation and the welfare state (theme 3) and fairness and responsible AI (theme 4). These will address AI’s systemic and societal effects. AI’s impact on value creation challenge tax systems and might exacerbate inequality, demanding new policy solutions to sustain the welfare state. Ensuring fairness and transparency in AI adoption is equally important for fostering trust and accountability
A broad coalition of partners behind the application
The DIG research centre has succeeded in enlisting a broad group of partners that will cooperate with DIG should the application be successful. These include academic partners such as SINTEF Digital, the University of Oslo, the Centre for Applied Studies (SNF), the Fafo Institute for Labour and Social Research and others.
Outside the academic sector partners include DIG’s regular partners such as businesses KPMG, Gjensidige and Telenor. In addition, Knowit as well as broadcaster TV2 has joined the application. The list of partners also includes several public sector stakeholders such as the Norwegian Tax Administration, the Norwegian Labor and Welfare Administration region Vestland, Directorate for Digitalization, Norwegian Police IT Unit, and South-Eastern Norway Health Authority. Industry associations, Virke and Abelia, and trade unions, LO an Akademikerne, and ecosystem actors like StartupLab, Finance Innovation and the Bergen Chamber of Commerce are also behind the application.
The business approach
Professor Bram Timmermans, who is the head of DIG Research Centre, says that this application is one of the few that focuses on the potential and application of AI in business. – AI is not only a technology problem but also a strategy, organization and management challenge, he says. - The value that will be created through AI will for a large part be driven in how organizations apply and implement AI, thereby securing a competitive advantage. Research into these matters is where our application stands out, Bram Timmermans adds. He also says that an AI-centre will be a platform at NHH to further research into AI.
Decision in June
The total estimated cost of this 5-year initiative is approximately 250 million NOK, with around 60 percent coming from contributions, both in cash and in kind, by the partnership, with NHH being one of its main contributors. The 50 applications received will now undergo expert scrutiny, before The Research Council of Norway makes a decision in June as to who will be the 4-6 national AI-research centres.