“AI could become crucial for security in the Arctic and the High North”

The areas above the Arctic Circle are facing sweeping changes and pressure. How can artificial intelligence (AI) contribute to more resilient communities in the north?

By Petter Bjørklund, Communications Officer at Arctic Institute for AI in Science and Innovation

Rapid climate change and uncertain security conditions are putting Norway's position and preparedness in the Arctic and the High North to the test.

Artificial intelligence (AI) can play a central role in managing changes and pressure in the region, said Robert Jenssen, Director of the Arctic Institute for AI in Science and Innovation, at Arendalsuka.

"Right now, there's a quite revolution taking place in AI research in precisely this domain," says Jenssen.

The event, titled "Kunstig intelligens i Arktis: Hvordan kan KI bidra til motstandsdyktige samfunn og økt sikkerhet?", took place at Bankgården in Arendal city centre.

"Enormous opportunities"

AI represents enormous opportunities in this area, Jenssen says. For instance, AI can be used to forecast atmospheric phenomena or monitor critical infrastructure.

During the event, he highlighted ongoing research at UiT's AI and machine learning environments.

"We use atmospheric data from several years back to develop AI models that can predict how the weather and sea ice will develop over the coming days or months," Jenssen explains.

Research groups at UiT are also developing AI that can detect ships and pollution in the ocean using satellite images. Jenssen believes this can contribute to improved situtational awareness.

Collaboration is essential

Much of the AI research at UiT is done in collaboration with Northern Norwegian industries, including Kongsberg Satellite Services. Norwegian Minister of Industry and Commerce Cecilie Myrseth attended the event and emphasized the importance of establishing and maintaining close ties between academia, the public sector and industry for more effective AI solutions.

"Strong collaboration between academia and public and private actors is absolutely crucial if we are to succeed," says Myrseth.

International collaboration is particularly important for strengthening technological development. The ongoing collaboration between UiT and The Alan Turing Institute in the United Kingdom has, among other things, contributed to the development of new AI technology that can predict the extent of the Arctic sea ice.

"That is why international collaboration in this area is especially important," says the Minister.

"Can make us stronger but also more vulnerable"

Although AI brings many opportunities, the technology is not void of potential risk factors. Both Jenssen and Myrseth highlighted several challenges that need to be taken into account.

Data storage, energy, and ethically responsible technology were among the highlighted issues.

"We must set clear requirements to the technology in order to develop it in a safe and responsible manner," says Myrseth.

"Any technology that can make us stronger can also make us more vulnerable. A general challenges is that AI can make incorrect decisions. This is an important aspect of technological development that we must take into account. The best way to address this is to have as many people as possible in Northern Norway who can work with research, development, business development, and start-ups," says Jenssen.

"This can help lay the foundation for the new knowledge we need, such as for safer technological systems, verification, and regulation in the future," he adds.

UiT invests heavily in Arctic AI

Research and development of Arctic AI is an area where UiT is taking a leading role, Jenssen explains. Through the new Arctic Institute for Science and Innovation, UiT aims to invest heavily in this type of AI.

The Arctic Institute has a particular focus on developing and applying AI for better situational awareness and monitoring the Earth. The institute is one of two new AI centres at UiT, established in the wake of the collaborative agreeement between the university and Aker Nscale. The centre is led by Jenssen and researchers from UiT's Machine Learning group.

Jenssen presented the centre's ambitions at Arendalsuka.

"The centre will be a driving force for research and for educating researchers who will address real societal needs, both for Norway in general and particularly for the Arctic," says Jenssen.

Increased recruitment, skill development, and business development in the north are important goals for the centre.

"In the long term, we hope this will contribute to increased recruitment and population growth in Northern Norway," he adds.

Applauds UiT's research environments

Vegard Wennesland, State Secretary at the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries" participated in the event with Jenssen. He applauds the AI environments in Northern Norway, both at UiT and in the industrial sector.

"These research environments possess an enormous world-leading expertise. No one can do this better than the environments we have in the north," says Wennesland.

He says the government has a responsibility to support and strengthen future AI research in the Arctic and the High North.

"We are committed to support AI development that also benefits the Arctic," Wennesland says.

These attended the event

• Cecilie T. Myrseth, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries
• Vegard Grøslie Wennesland, Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries
• Robert Jenssen, Professor / Director, UiT- The Arctic University of Norway / Arctic Institute for AI in Science and Innovation
• Nina Wilhelmsen, EMEA Director, Digital Sovereignty, IBM
• Bjørn Tore Markussen , Chief Technology, Cyber and ICT Officer, Norwegian Armed Forces
• Stian Jenssen, Managing Director Scandinavia, Nscale
• Jan Aarvold, Vice President Safety and Security, Equinor