I am currently traveling and conducting research in Norway, and I am in awe of its endless and breathtaking beauty. Norway, situated in northern Europe, is a relatively narrow country that shares the Scandinavian Peninsula with Sweden and Finland. It is renowned for its fjords, which are sea inlets nestled between steep cliffs. Additionally, Norway has many intriguing historical facts that are not widely known. For instance, the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo every year, the country is home to the world's longest tunnel, and Norway introduced salmon sushi to Japan. During my time here on a Regent cruise ship, I have been indulging in various traditional Norwegian foods, particularly their distinct meatballs. It's important not to confuse them with Swedish meatballs. As one of the wealthiest nations in the world, Norway boasts a significantly high standard of living compared to other European countries. The country takes immense pride in its integrated welfare system and modern manufacturing, which heavily relies on the financial reserves generated from its natural resources, especially North Sea oil. In terms of GDP per capita, Norway is ranked eighth globally. Despite having a relatively small population of just over 5 million residents, Norway has developed a highly advanced infrastructure, particularly when it comes to the internet. It boasts the fastest mobile internet connection in the world, with an average speed of 52. 6 Mbps. This places Norway ahead of countries like the Netherlands, Hungary, Singapore, and Malta. With such high-speed infrastructure, Norway is well-positioned to be a leading voice in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). The Norwegian government's goal is to concentrate investments in AI research, research-based innovation, and development within strong research communities that foster collaboration between academia and industry.

This includes centers of excellence and centers for research-based innovation. Norway has consistently been forward-thinking in the realm of AI. In 2018, a consortium called NORA was established to strengthen Norwegian research and education in AI, machine learning, robotics, and related disciplines. The consortium comprises Norwegian universities and research institutions, including the University of Agder, the Arctic University of Norway, OsloMet, the University of Bergen, the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Simula Research Laboratory AS, the University of Stavanger, NORCE, and the University of Oslo. One significant aspect of Norway is the high level of trust it places in both its public and private institutions. The Norwegian government, through the Norwegian Data Protection Authority, has published a guide on AI and privacy. This guide addresses important issues such as metadata, selection bias, and lack of transparency in deep learning AI solutions. Norway recognizes the need for responsible development and use of AI, aligning with the guidelines established by the European Commission's high-level expert group. Recently, the EU proposed legislation on AI, which has raised concerns among many leaders who fear it may negatively impact the bloc's competitiveness and discourage investment. Some argue that the draft rules, particularly in regulating generative AI and foundation models, go too far. However, Norway's stance on the EU's AI legislation policy aligns with its strong focus on data protection, privacy, and early implementation of guidelines for responsible AI development. The beauty of Norway is boundless, and its future looks bright, particularly in the field of AI. With its solid foundations in AI research and education, I am excited to delve deeper into the country's AI leaders and their contributions. Klas Pettersen, leading Nora. ai, seems like an excellent starting point. Stay tuned for more updates.