More than a few of us were surprised in 2018 when Google demonstrated how their artificial intelligence personal assistant can now ring unknowing hairdressers and make a booking. It's perhaps a little uncomfortable to think that soon we may not be able to tell the difference between a machine and a person. That, though, is beside the point. Google is the unprecedented world leader of internet search. Each time you type a sentence into Google, and click on one of the links that comes back, you provide the AI system with a data point.

Trondheim, 9 March 2018: The new IoT ProtoLab in Trondheim is opening its doors today for entrepreneurs, scientists and students who want to develop new Internet of Things services and products. The new powerhouse created by Telenor Group and Wireless Trondheim aims to increase innovation, new national competencies and promote competitiveness amongst Norwegian entrepreneurs. "Exactly one year ago we launched Telenor-NTNU AI-Lab and it is a pleasure to announce another technology powerhouse in Trondheim," says Sigve Brekke, Telenor Group CEO. "IoT ProtoLab will be an experimental centre for research and innovation within the Internet of Things. IoT means that data on our physical surroundings are made available in large quanta, which in turn fuels fantastic opportunities for research and innovation within artificial intelligence (AI). Our two labs in Trondheim will be strengthened by each other and will contribute to fostering digital innovation in Norway," adds Brekke.

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.

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.