AID is a recent NTNU initiative on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Decision Making and a proposal for a National AI Center. It is a joint effort of NTNU and SINTEF led by Sebastien Gros (NTNU, Department of Engineering Cybernetics) and Signe Riemen-Sørensen (SINTEF Digital) and with the participation of more than 50 partners.
In 2024, the Research Council of Norway announced a call for proposal for supporting 4 to 6 AI research centers. The centers will focus on the future of computing, emphasizing artificial intelligence, digital security, and the societal impact of digital technology development. The centers will conduct high-quality AI research on critical issues that require interdisciplinary collaboration across sectors and institutions to address society’s challenges.
Why AI for Decisions?
Making complex decisions—like balancing electricity supply and demand or planning personalized healthcare—requires data and knowledge. AI has the potential to help with these decisions, but it also comes with challenges. People don’t fully trust AI yet, and there aren’t enough reliable ways to test and verify its decisions. The technology is still developing, energy costs can be high, and there is a lack of expertise and understanding of new regulations.
Because of these issues, AI is not widely used in important decision-making for society and professional organizations. The goal of the AID center is to improve AI for decision-making through research and real-world applications, making sure it is effective, safe, and trustworthy in key sectors.
The role of Mathematics and Statistics
For enhanced performance, robustness and reliability in new knowledge and data-driven decision-making processes, it is important to understand the mathematical foundations and statistical properties of AI-based approaches. The Department of Mathematical Sciences at NTNU plays an important role in AID with several professors involved in the preparation of this proposal and contributes with expertise in the mathematical sciences and in paticular scientific computing and computational statistics.
Research partners: NTNU Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering NTNU Department of Structural Engineering (KT) NTNU Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SINTEF Digital,
NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, NMBU – Norwegian University of Life Sciences, The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, SimulaMet, Transportøkonomisk Institutt, IFE
Core and standard partners: Kongsberg Maritime, Kongsberg Discovery, DNV, Equinor, Aker BP ASA, Statkraft, Statnett SF, Norsk Hydro, Elkem ASA, Glitre Nett/Aenergie, Aneo, St. Olavs hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Statsbygg, Trondheim kommune, Skagerak Energi AS, AtB, Tensio, KS kommunesektorens organisasjon, Sykehuspartner HF, Nye Veier AS, Veidekke Norge
Network partners: Properate, Autronica Fire and Security AS, Avinor, BAMA Gruppen AS, Benteler Automotive Raufoss, Borregaard, Cybernetica AS, Gassco AS, Haste, Helseplattformen, House of Knowledge, IC Technology, ITS Norway, Jotun, KPMG, Mesta, NordPool, Oslo Kommune, Posten/Bring, Sentisystems, Solution Seeker, Sopra Steria, Spark Park, Sykehusapotekene HF, Sykehuset Østfold, Vianode, Cyberforsvaret, Smart Innovation Norway, NorHead.
International partners: University of Cambridge, UK, Oden Center, Austin, Texas, TU Eindhoven, NL, Brown University, Washington State University, KU Leuven, Cornell University, University of Western Australia, Arts et Metiers Paris, RISE, KTH, University of Freiburg. Watson Center IBM.