About LEAD AI
Over the next 5 years, a large interdisciplinary project at UiB 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 aims to train 19 researchers from various disciplines to become the future leaders in AI research and technology.
Main content
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 will take part in the program between 2024 and 2028. The research opportunities 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 will recruit both local and international researchers and employ 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 will receive funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program under the COFUND-scheme of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. The official start date for LEAD AI is 1 January 2024.
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.
LEAD AI
Bergen research and training program for future AI leaders across the disciplines, LEAD AI
19 postdoctoral positions at six faculties
5 years duration: 2024 - 2028
Funded by UiB faculties and the European Union. The total frame is 130 MNOK (€11,47 million) over five years
The project is led by the Department of Informatics
Collaboration with University of British Colombia (Canada), Københavns universitet (Denmark), NORA, NORCE, GCE Ocean Technology, Bergen Chamber, Media City Bergen, Finance Innovation, Proptech Innovation og BKK AS (Norway) and more.
