Pål Grønås Drange

Position

Associate Professor

Affiliation

Short info

I have a diploma in electronics, a bachelor's degree in cognitive science, a master's in logic for AI, a PhD in algorithms, and a heart for network theory. My research lies at the intersection of these disciplines.
Research

My primary research focuses on the parameterized complexity of graph algorithms, with a special emphasis on graph modification algorithms and algorithms tailored for sparse networks.

I also do experimental algorithmics including algorithm engineering, machine learning, and recommender algorithms.

My current research projects are:

  1. Correlation clustering with overlapping data, to enhance clustering accuracy in datasets where entities belong to multiple categories simultaneously
  2. Autonomous drone inspection algorithms, focusing on optimizing path planning and real-time data processing techniques to improve the efficiency and accuracy of drone-based inspections in complex environments
  3. Network interdiction algorithms, which involves strategically disrupting or blocking flows through a network, such as transportation or communication channels, using limited resources to minimize unwanted activities like drug trafficking.
  4. Using submodular optimization for problems in energy transition. 
  5. Improved algorithms for automatic differentiation.

I am affiliated with CEDAS: Center for Data Science at UiB. I serve as a principle investigator in the research project Algorithmic Foundations for Trustworthy AI, funded by the Trond Mohn Foundation.  Additionally, I am engaged in the Machine Teaching for Explainable AI research project, which is supported by the Norwegian Research Council. I have also received funding from the NRC project Parameterized Complexity for Practical Computing (PCPC), led by Professor Mike R. Fellows.

Since 2021, I have taken on the role of editor of IT and Algoritmer in Store Norske Leksikon.

Program committee work:

 

With over five years in the high-tech sector, I have gained proficiency in Python, C, C++, C#, and Java, and have in-depth experience with databases such as Postgres and MySQL/MariaDB. I had the honor of serving as the lead software engineering advisor for Equinor and played a key role in the FriskBy project, a crowdsourced initiative focused on air quality monitoring. My dedication to the open-source community is reflected in my numerous contributions and original projects, all of which can be explored on my GitHub profile: github.com/pgdr.

In addition to my teaching role at UiB, I have conducted numerous courses within the industry, covering topics such as machine learning, Python, software craftsmanship and development, Linux, Git, and competitive programming, among others.

 

Outreach

I have engaged extensively in knowledge transfer, delivering presentations and outreach to diverse audiences—including industry professionals, trade unions, policymakers, teachers, consultants, senior citizens, and others—on topics related to algorithmic decision-making, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.

Particularly compelling is the challenge of addressing responsibility in algorithmic decision-making, ensuring systems do not entrench bias or hinder social mobility. This involves exploring ways to integrate moral principles and societal values into the design and implementation of algorithms.

In 2024, I received the outreach award of the faculty of science and technology.

Lectures in 2025

Lectures in 2024

  • Telepensjonistenes landforbund, seminar om KI
  • Direktoratet for høyere utdanning og kompetanse (HK-dir), seminar i Bergen, AI i offentlig sektor: Muligheter, etikk og tilsyn
  • Fakultet for naturvitenskap og teknologi, Læringsdagen for administrativt ansatt, åpningsforedrag om KI
  • Senioruniversitetet U3A, Hvordan påvirker kunstig intelligens vår hverdag?
  • Pensjonistlaget i Utdanningsforbundet: Hvordan påvirker kunstig intelligens vår hverdag?
  • NNN (Norsk Næring- og Nytelsesmiddelarbeiderforbund) årskonferanse i Vestland, Praktisk KI
  • LO i Bergen og omland, frokostmøte om Kunstig intelligens
  • Norges bygg- og eiendomskonferanse 2024
  • UiT — Norges arktiske universitet: ITAs 50-årsjubileum
  • Introductory presentation on AI and digitalization at Arbeiderpartiet and the Minister of Digitalisation and Public Governance, 2024
  • Invited lecture on opportunities and drawbacks in AI – UiB IT forum, 2024
  • Opening lecture on opportunities in AI — IT-forum vest, Vestland & Rogaland, 2024
  • Seniortreff i fem bygder, Tysnes Kommune, 2024
  • Innledning til paneldebatt om KI — LO Vestland regionkonferanse, 2024
  • Hvordan påvirker KI vår hverdag — Pensjonistforeningen ved UiB, 2024

Selected lectures

  • KI for toppledere i Vestland — Apriil seminar, 2023
  • Hvordan påvirker KI vår hverdag — Senioruniversitetet i Hordaland, 2023
  • KI og falsk framferd — Falturiltu (verdas største nynorske litteraturfestival for barn og ungdom), 2023
  • Står superintelligensen og banker på døren? — Intelligente Bergen, November 2023
  • Hva er AI? — Bergen Kommune, Fagdag for IT, May 2023
  • Revisionist Software Craftsmanship — Webstep Fagkveld, 2022
  • Hva er maskinlæring — Seniorklubb, 2021
  • Open source — Booster, 2019

Interviewed by

  • TV 2 i forbindelse med USA-valget 2024: Har «klonet» TV 2-profilen.
  • Fakultet for naturvitenskap og teknologi i forbindelse med USA-valget 2024: Hvordan kunstig intelligens kan påvirke valg.
  • TV 2 Nyhetsmorgen: Generativ Kunstig Intelligens
  • NRK Nyhetsmorgen: Om senathøring i USA om kunstig intelligens
  • Klassekampen: Sak om desinformasjon av Dag Eivind Undheim Larsen
  • VG
  • NTB Tema
  • Digi
Teaching

Recent courses:

  • 2025-01: INF237 — Algorithms engineering (TBT)
  • 2024-02: INF234 — Algorithms
  • 2024-01: INF237 — Algorithms engineering
  • 2024-01: SDG607 — Energy transition
  • 2023-02: INF234 — Algorithms
  • 2023 january: Git Crash Course for Echo
  • 2022-02: INF234 — Algorithms & INF319 — Projects in Informatics
  • 2022-01: INF237 — Algorithms Engineering
  • 2022 january: Git Crash Course for Echo
  • 2021-02: INF234 — Algorithms & INF219/INF319 — Projects in Informatics
  • 2021-01: INF237 — Algorithms Engineering
  • 2021 january: Git Crash Course for Echo

 

 

Previous teaching way back when:

  • INFO282 — Artificial Intelligence
  • INF207 — Social Network Theory
  • INF109 — Python for natural science
  • INF112 — Software Engineering
  • DASP106 — Computational linguistics

Teaching and courses in the industry:

  • Python crash course
  • Advanced Python for engineers
  • Git crash course
  • Machine learning, an introduction

My first course, that I ever taught:

  • 2008–02: Computational linguistics (datalingvistikk, da: DASP106)
Publications
Academic article
Article in business/trade/industry journal
Popular scientific article
Academic literature review
Doctoral dissertation
Feature article

See a complete overview of publications in Cristin.

2024:

2023:

Projects

Principal investigator in the projects