About LEAD AI
LEAD AI, a large interdisciplinary project at UiB, that will advance the frontier of knowledge in artificial intelligence (AI), with a particular focus on reliable and ethical development in the field. The program is supported by the EU and is training 19 researchers from various disciplines to become the future leaders in AI research and technology.
What is LEAD AI
LEAD AI is the University of Bergen's (UiB) career and mobility fellowship program within artificial intelligence. In total 19 postdoctoral research fellows across six of UiB's faculties are taking part in the program between 2024 and 2028. The research range from basic AI research for the relevant disciplines to more applied research in the natural sciences and medicine, and issues such as the interaction between AI, people and society with legal and ethical challenges. The program is supported by 17 external partners, including six academic partners and eleven partners representing Norwegian public institutions, industry, and large networks.
UiB has recruited bot Norwegian and international researchers and employed them in postdoctoral positions for 3-4 years. Mobility, both international and across disciplines and sectors, is an important element of the program. UiB will collaborate with research institutions in other countries and with partners in relevant sectors in Western Norway.
LEAD AI receives funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program under the COFUND-scheme of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.
Many positive effects
LEAD AI will leverage UiB's unique interdisciplinary strength in artificial intelligence research and provide researchers with both the academic expertise and the broad knowledge of AI research necessary to develop reliable and ethical AI that benefits society.
The programme will also promote institutional change and cutting-edge research on AI, while providing researchers with unique research and training opportunities, personalized guidance, and excellent working conditions.
Good evaluation results
The COFUND application has received very good evaluations from the European Commission. The feedback from the panel that has assessed the application states that the project proposal "well supports Norway's open approach to digitalisation, and will deliver employees to the region".
They also point out that the programme will make the University of Bergen, Bergen municipality and cooperation in the City of Knowledge Bergen more attractive.
The feedback also states that LEAD AI "offers a very good quality of research options including strong potential for interdisciplinary research engagement" and that interdisciplinary researh options are well supported by formal and informal networking events, interdisciplinary co-supervision, and opportunities to work with interdisciplinary centers.