Telenor supports Norwegian entrepreneurship and artificial intelligence research
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
(Oslo/Arendal, Norway, August 17, 2016) Telenor Group today announces two
specific initiatives to support entrepreneurship and competence building in
Norway. The ambition is to strengthen the nation's competitiveness and to
stimulate job creation by Norwegian startups.
In collaboration with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
and the leading research institute SINTEF, Telenor will establish a lab focused
on artificial intelligence and big data at NTNU in Trondheim, Norway. As the
second initiative, Telenor will develop and launch a dedicated, next-generation
Internet of Things (IoT) network in several Norwegian cities. Norwegian startups
and students will get cost-free access to the IoT network in order to develop
and test their products and services. The first pilot will be located in Oslo,
in collaboration with StartupLab.
"We need to build critical competencies within artificial intelligence and we
want to give Norwegian startups the resources they need to succeed. This is
imperative for our ability to seize digital opportunities and contribute to
creating new jobs. Startups play a key role in net job creation. We aim to
stimulate productivity in Norway by developing new competencies and supporting
the startup community," says Sigve Brekke, President and CEO, Telenor Group.
Telenor's AI Lab at NTNU will conduct research and run innovation programs
within artificial intelligence and big data. The lab will research how machines
can contribute to developing new services by identifying structures and hidden
knowledge in large data sets. It will rely in part on data from next generation
Iota networks such as the one Telenor will pilot with StartupLab. In order to
support Norwegian companies aiming at taking an international position within
artificial intelligence, the lab will work closely with the industry, research
institutions, academia and the startup community. The research institute SINTEF
will contribute actively to projects at the lab and ensure tight integration
with the Norwegian industry at large.
Comments from our partners:
Gunnar Bovim, Rector at NTNU:
"The AI Lab allows us to strengthen research and innovation within artificial
intelligence and big data. More resources, equipment and research positions
empower us to solve projects that provide Norwegian companies with competitive
advantages on the international, digital arena. The collaboration will
accelerate Norway's journey towards a digital future and elevate our academic
capabilities within areas where Norway must play in the top league
internationally," says Gunnar Bovim, Rector at NTNU.
Alexandra Bech Gjørv, President of SINTEF:
"Digitalization, big data, Internet of Things and artificial intelligence are
strategic focus areas where SINTEF already possess considerable capabilities.
The Norwegian research community plays a central role in introducing new digital
competencies that contribute to increased competitive thrust for Norwegian
industry. By creating an AI Lab in collaboration with Telenor and NTNU, we
provide Norway with new capacity in leveraging the value of big data," says
Alexandra Bech Gjørv, President of SINTEF.
Per Einar Dybvik, Partner, StartupLab:
"Internet of Things is changing everything. With the availability of tiny,
affordable sensors, we observe how today's startups assume all products will be
connected to the internet at some point. This is why providing them with cost-
free access to a next-generation IoT network from Telenor is of critical
importance. StartupLab hosts more than 100 startups every year and the
availability of the Telenor network has been warmly received in our community,"
says Per Einar Dybvik, Partner, StartupLab.
Bjørn-Taale Sandberg, Head of Telenor Research:
"Over the next 20 years, artificial intelligence will be the driving force
behind all processes, shape all services and become integrated in most products
across industries and usage areas. With every day that passes, with every search
in Google, purchase in Amazon or 'Like' on Facebook, the AI of a handful of
dominant players make it increasingly less interesting for consumers to test out
alternatives. There is a real risk that the most fundamental technology of the
21st century will be dominated by a few large companies, unless we take the
necessary steps. By launching the AI Lab at NTNU and by empowering our startups,
we contribute directly to taking those steps," says Bjørn-Taale Sandberg, Head
of Telenor Research.
Telenor's agreements with NTNU, SINTEF and StartupLab have an initial horizon of
five years. The total cost is estimated to NOK 50+ million over a five-year
period. These initiatives are the latest addition to Telenor's broad global
approach to supporting startups, including accelerator programs across eight of
its markets - with a total of 70 startups supported in 2016 alone.
Sigve Brekke, President and CEO of Telenor Group, will be launching the new
initiatives during the Arendalsuka 2016. Media and others are welcome to attend
his breakfast meeting about the "Digital entrepreneurial nation" on August 17 at
08:15am in Arendal. No registration required.
Press contacts:
Telenor Group: Tor Odland, tor.odland(at)telenor.com, mobile +47 9909 0872
NTNU: Anne Katharine Dahl, mobile +47 9189 7121
SINTEF: Morten Dalsmo, SINTEF IKT, mobile +47 952 91 417
This announcement is distributed by GlobeNewswire on behalf of
GlobeNewswire clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that:
(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and
other applicable laws; and
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and
originality of the information contained therein.
Source: Telenor via GlobeNewswire
[HUG#2035434]
Unternehmensinformation / Kurzprofil:
Datum: 17.08.2016 - 07:00 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 489547
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