Five years ago, one of Telenor's top boffins feared that Google, Amazon and Facebook were set to become an unstoppable force in artificial intelligence (AI). "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," said Bjørn Taale Sandberg, the Norwegian telco's head of research. For Telenor, the necessary steps meant investing in its own AI lab and backing the right startups. Conversely, it is hard to see how a strategic partnership with one of the AI bogeymen would produce alternatives to them. But that is what Telenor did five years after Sandberg first warned of an AI oligopoly, announcing a Google Cloud tie-up today. Among other things, it will be "exploring how to leverage" Google's AI expertise.

Telenor said the Norwegian Research Centre for AI Innovation (NorwAI) has commenced operations and will run for eight years. NorwAI is located at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and is funded by the Research Council of Norway and a consortium of partners. NorwAI will have a strong focus on applied research and innovation. It complements the co-located Norwegian Open AI Lab (NAIL). Bjorn Taale Sandberg, head of Telenor Research and member of NorwAI's board of directors, said that Telenor contributed to putting AI on the map in Norway through the establishment of NAIL.

Some of Norway's largest companies are joining forces in establishing a national powerhouse for artificial intelligence. Its aim is to improve the quality and capacity for research, education and innovation in the field. Norway has a huge potential to be a pioneer in Artificial Intelligence (AI), but it needs resources and collaboration in order not to lag behind. To strengthen national efforts on artificial intelligence, Telenor, NTNU and SINTEF are inviting Norwegian businesses to partner on the new Norwegian Open AI Lab. While the Norwegian Open AI Lab will develop solutions specific to the partners' industries, it will also consider opportunities where Norway can take positions internationally.

Some of Norway's largest companies are joining forces in establishing a national powerhouse for artificial intelligence. Its aim is to improve the quality and capacity for research, education and innovation in the field. Norway has a huge potential to be a pioneer in Artificial Intelligence (AI), but it needs resources and collaboration in order not to lag behind. To strengthen national efforts on artificial intelligence, Telenor, NTNU and SINTEF are inviting Norwegian businesses to partner on the new Norwegian Open AI Lab. While the Norwegian Open AI Lab will develop solutions specific to the partners' industries, it will also consider opportunities where Norway can take positions internationally.

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.