UiA consolidates leading position in AI through a new conference

“The conference is proof of the key role we play in this prestigious project. It gives us a fantastic opportunity to showcase the city, the university and our close partners,” says Daniel Nordgård.

The professor at the Faculty of Fine Arts at UiA is deputy director of MishMash.

Last year, they were selected as one of Norway’s six new research centres for artificial intelligence. The funding through the ‘AI billion’ scheme means that, over a five-year period, they will receive just under 200 million kroner for research into how AI promotes and challenges creativity.

Southern Norway as a meeting place

The centre brings together key Norwegian stakeholders in the fields of art and AI within research and higher education – and links them with some of the country’s most important art and cultural institutions, such as NRK and the National Museum.

“Right from the start, it has been important for us to give the centre a distinct identity,” says Nordgård.

14 and 15 September will mark a milestone in the project, with an opening conference being held at Kilden, Kunstsilo and Kraftverk.

“What’s so exciting about the conference – and indeed the whole project – is that we’re working so closely with the entire sector at a high level, from the industry and practitioners right through to academia,” says Nordgård.

Long lines

It is no coincidence that UiA has been given a key role in this work.

This isn’t something that happens by itself. Over a long period, we have established ourselves as a centre of expertise for change in the music industry. The Department of Popular Music, in particular, has been bold in its commitment to digital technology in music education, which led to us being designated CreaTeME as a Centre for Excellence in Education in 2022. It will be incredibly exciting to see how we take this forward now, says Nordgård.

American perspective and cosmic sound

The conference will explore, in various ways, the opportunities and challenges that artificial intelligence presents for creativity.

Nordgård also mentions the great interest in MishMash and the conference beyond Norway’s borders. The keynote speech on the opening day will be delivered by Professor Jane Ginsburg from Columbia University.

“She is, of course, a star in this field, so we are incredibly pleased that she is able to attend. She brings a wealth of fascinating knowledge, particularly in the field of copyright,” says Nordgård of the American, who is also the daughter of former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Among other international names worth noting, Nordgård highlights Andrew Melchior, who is, amongst other things, the technical director for the world-renowned band Massive Attack. The British-German artist will present the sound installation *The Logos*, in which he has converted more than 4,000 signals from outer space into sound using AI.

“I’m coming to Kristiansand because UiA has created an exciting meeting place between art, technology and research. I’m collaborating with UiA because they combine academic ambitions with a genuine willingness to experiment and share knowledge,” says Melchior about his own participation.

"Enormous expectations"

The government’s allocation of billions through the Research Council speaks volumes about the importance of the work currently under way. The far-reaching and rapid societal changes are placing extra pressure on the selected centres.

"We are very much aware that there are enormous expectations attached to the six grants. A lot of people are keeping a close eye on things", says Nordgård.

"So what’s it like to be working so closely on this?"

"It’s great fun! Perhaps that will change as we start to approach the deadline and the final delivery, but right now it’s just brilliant to be properly underway."