In connection with the upcoming announcement of the AI billion, the Research and Innovation Department at UiB (Forsknings- og innovasjonsavdelingen FIA) invites academic communities researching artificial intelligence to a mobilization seminar. The purpose is to highlight AI environments and center initiatives at UiB, and identify opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration in future work.

The Research Council’s board decided at the meeting on February 7th that the Government’s billion-dollar investment “AI for Trust and Sustainability” will be announced in the form of 4-6 centers for artificial intelligence. The centers will be 5-year thematic, challenge-driven initiatives, promoting interdisciplinary, interinstitutional, and cross-sectoral collaboration. The announcement is divided into two parts, with a mandatory outline in the first step, to be submitted by June 7, 2024. Here you can read more about how the Research Council envisions the focus of the centers in each of the three main areas – societal consequences, technological development, and innovative use.

The keynote speaker at the event will be Anne Kjersti Fahlvik, Director of the Research Council’s area, followed by a question and answer session after her presentation.

We will also facilitate opportunities for environments interested in coordinating an AI center and planning to apply for the announcement to present a brief pitch with their idea for a center application in plenary. There will be ample opportunity to explore collaboration and synergies with other AI environments at UiB and external stakeholders and potential partners through a networking lunch session. All academic communities with an AI profile are invited to this event, and we encourage everyone interested in participating in a center application to join. Those wishing to present their pitch for an AI center on stage should register this in the registration form by April 2nd.

The deadline for registration for the general public is extended to April 5th.

**Program:**

**10:00-11:00**
– **Welcome and Information about the Announcement**
– Welcome by Vice-Rector Pinar Heggernes, UiB
– Presentation by Anne Kjersti Fahlvik, Director of Innovation in Business and Public Sector, Research Council
– Q&A Session

**11:00-11:20**
– **Coffee Break**

**11:20-12:55**
– **AI Center and Research Center Applications**
– Support System and Application Process at UiB by Birgit Falch, Research and Innovation Department, and Alexander Oltu, IT Department
– What Does it Entail to Apply for a Research Center? TBA
– Pitches for Research Centers for Artificial Intelligence at UiB
– Upon registration, participants in the seminar who wish to coordinate a center application are encouraged to indicate whether they will pitch their idea for an artificial intelligence center to the audience. The purpose of idea pitching is to open up collaboration opportunities and invite stakeholders and academic communities interested in contributing to further develop the idea.

**12:55-13:00**
– **Conclusion, Introduction to Lunch and Networking**

**13:00-14:00**
– **Lunch and Networking in the Lounge outside the Main Hall, with Opportunity for Posters/Stands**