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National Academic AI Centers in the Nordics Formalize Collaboration

Date

26 Feb 2025

The national academic AI centers in Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland and Norway have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their collaboration and amplify the role of academia in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.

Nordic AIR – AI Research, Education, and Innovation Partnership launches

The leaders of the partners met in Stockholm on February 26, 2025, to sign the MoU.

The agreement unites Sweden’s Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP), the Finnish Center for Artificial Intelligence (FCAI), Denmark’s Pioneer Centre for AI (P1), Norway’s NORA (Norwegian Artificial Intelligence Research Consortium), and Iceland’s CADIA (The Center for Analysis and Design of Intelligent Agents). Together, these institutions aim to consolidate existing efforts within individual Nordic countries, creating a stronger, unified voice for academia.

The Nordic countries—Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden—share deep cultural, historical, and political ties which have fostered strong inter-country relationships. Together, they form a region with a high standard of living, comprehensive welfare systems, and a solid commitment to democracy and human rights.

The Nordic AIR is the first initiative of its kind in the Nordic region, focusing on Nordic foundational AI research for the benefit for Nordic society and industry. A key mission of the collaboration is bridging the gap between researchers and policymakers. By working together, the centers seek to ensure that politicians and decision-makers receive expert advice and evidence-based recommendations on the societal and ethical implications of artificial intelligence.

The Nordic AI Meet, a scientific conference launched by NORA in 2021 and funded by the Research Council of Norway since 2022, plays a central role in this effort. Designed to support young researchers, the conference provides a platform for sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and building connections between academia and society. With Denmark hosting in 2023, Finland in 2024, and Norrköping, Sweden, hosting from November 26 to 27 in 2025, the conference has become a cornerstone of Nordic AI cooperation and visibility. Learn more about the Nordic AI meet at https://nordicaimeet.com.

The MoU, based on discussions initiated at the 2024 Nordic AI Meet in Helsinki, formalizes this partnership and strengthens the Nordic AI Meet as a platform for unified communication. By consolidating resources and expertise, the collaboration aims to enhance academia’s visibility and influence in society, ensuring the Nordic region leads in addressing the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence.

The signing of the MoU marks a significant milestone in Nordic AI, setting the stage for closer collaboration, stronger academic representation, and a lasting impact on the development and application of artificial intelligence.

Learn more about the Nordic partnership at https://www.nordicpartnership.ai/

Leaders from the Nordic AI centers see this collaboration as a key milestone for both academia and society. Here’s what they have to say about the initiative:

Klas Pettersen, CEO of NORA: “In a more polarized and less predictable world it is important to collaborate with reliable partners that share your values. As such, Nordic collaborations are more important than ever. A strong Nordic AI collaboration will not only produce many exciting AI projects; the Nordic AI Research, Education, and Innovation Partnership will ensure a global Nordic impact, with transparency, a trust-based approach and democratic values at its core.”

Serge Belongie, Director of The Pioneer Centre for AI: “With its high level of digitalization, trust in institutions, strong democracies and social systems, and thriving public-private partnerships, the Nordic region provides an ideal setting for world-leading, socially responsible research in AI.”

“We are delighted to strengthen the links between top AI research centers in the Nordics,” says Samuel Kaski, director of FCAI and professor at Aalto University. “Our common interest is increasing the visibility and impact of Nordic AI research, through joint research, innovation and education initiatives. Having hosted the 2024 Nordic AI Meet, we at FCAI know the Nordic players are the ones to watch.”

Kristinn Rúnar Þórisson, Director of CADIA: “Scientific pursuit of automating thought in the next 50 years will lead to thinking machines permeating every corner of our society. In the Nordics, to meet our cultural, ethical and democratic heritage, norms and ideals, the nature of AI technology should not be dicated by other countries, societies or cultures — it should be decided and designed by us. There is ample reason for, and much to be gained from, the Nordic countries developing their own AI technology, regulation, principles and ethics. This must stand as the most fundamental principle in all scientific and applied development and use of AI in the Nordics from on.”

Amy Loutfi, Program Director at WASP: “The Nordic region is uniquely positioned to be a role model for global AI development. Initiatives like Nordic AIR ensure strong alignment between our countries, fostering collaboration and shared progress. Academia plays a crucial role in driving AI transformation, serving as the bridge between research, industry, and policymakers. Through our collective efforts, we strengthen the Nordic region’s impact on the global AI landscape.”

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