Tag: AI

  • VentureNet: Reducing barriers to innovation and business development through secure data exchange

    VentureNet: Reducing barriers to innovation and business development through secure data exchange

    September 1, 2022 @ 8:00 am – September 30, 2023 @ 8:00 am CEST

    (PROJECT)

    The VentureNet data exchange project was a research project completed in 2023 in collaboration with SINTEF and the Norwegian Centre for Research and Innovation in Cybersecurity in Critical Sectors (SFI NORCICS) based at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). The project received co-financing from the Research Council of Norway and Innlandet County through the FORREGION program.

    Background

    A major EU industrial research project on data harmonization, euBusinessGraph, identified major challenges with access to business data, citing that “it is extremely expensive, time consuming and error prone to find, interpret and reconcile”, especially across industries, geographic regions and languages.

    Machine learning (ML) plays an important role in automating data processing tasks such as natural language processing (NLP), but human input is needed to train ML algorithms and thereby improve the accuracy of ML models. One of the challenges identified by data scientists is a lack of machine learning models with humans-in-the-loop (HITL). 80% of the cost of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) projects is time spent by data scientists finding, interpreting and harmonizing data. A lack of HITL limits the effectiveness of ML models and their potential to reduce cost in Big Data and AI projects.

    VentureNet aims to create a virtual business accelerator hub powered by its proprietary Information Management System (IMS), which centralizes access to multiple digital ecosystems, facilitating data exchange and reducing manual data entry. Developed in collaboration with SINTEF and NTNU, the project focuses on creating a secure data exchange framework with Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) capabilities that can be scaled up in European data markets.

    Project Results

    The project delivered a report introducing a novel framework and new technical solution for data exchange that will facilitate dynamic harmonization and enrichment of business data with HITL ML models. The envisioned solution is a digital B2B workspace and marketplace that will automate data management tasks and processes and facilitate involvement of non-technical data providers (small businesses) in data enrichment with HITL models.

    SINTEF compared VentureNet’s IMS to leading low-code platforms and AI solutions, such as Oracle APEX, AWS Amplify, Open AI GPT, Sheet GPT, and Google Natural Language API and concluded the following:

    We compared VentureNet against a few low-code/no-code platforms. Low-code/no-code platforms significantly accelerate software development by simplifying and automating code generation, making it possible for non-developers to create applications, thereby democratizing development and reducing the technical skill barrier. However, these platforms can limit customization capabilities, restrict advanced functionality, and lead to vendor lock-in situations, potentially impeding scalability, and long-term growth for more complex or unique business requirements.

    Potential for higher accuracy and filtering of hallucinations, using HITL, especially in sensitive domains, such as healthcare.

    The principal advantage of the VentureNet platform lies in its comprehensive integration capabilities. It can fulfill all project requirements, including form processing, API management, low-code graphical user interface elements, and data enrichment. Unlike other generic platforms, VentureNet enables the development of highly customized solutions tailored to specific project needs.

    Although it is possible to assemble similar platforms using excellent off-the-shelf tools, coordinating, and integrating these disparate components requires significant time and effort. Additionally, the complexities associated with billing processes can often pose substantial challenges. VentureNet solves these concerns by offering a unique solution that simplifies project management and reduces operational overhead. This approach ensures a streamlined workflow and efficient project execution.

    Contact VentureNet to learn more about the project results and collaboration opportunities.

    VentureNet

  • Digitalization, innovation and network effects in rural and mountainous regions: a study of the status quo and opportunities for the IMS

    Digitalization, innovation and network effects in rural and mountainous regions: a study of the status quo and opportunities for the IMS

    June 1, 2021 @ 8:00 am – May 31, 2022 @ 5:00 pm CEST

    (PROJECT)

    The IMS project was completed in 2022 with support from the Eastern Norway Research Institute (a division of the University of Inland Norway) and SINTEF, one of Europe largest independent research institutions. The project was managed by an affiliate of VentureNet, which VentureNet acquired in 2023, and the project received co-financing from the Research Council of Norway and Innlandet County through the FORREGION program.

    Background: small-and-medium-enterprises (SMEs) need help with data management.

    Problem: Limited availability and access to private sector (business) data.

    • High cost of generating business data and analysis for startups and SMEs.
    • High cost of harmonizing business data using Big Data and artificial intelligence (AI).

    Opportunities: make business analysis more cost-effective for SMEs using Big Data.

    • “Core” business data points are reused in sales, fundraising and other processes.
    • Gather existing “core” business data using Big Data to save time and cost for SMEs and advisors.
    • Exchange “core” business data across digital platforms to save cost and generate revenue for SMEs, advisors, customers, investors, making SME data more valuable and cost-effective to analyze.

    Challenges required advanced knowledge of regional dynamics and data science.

    • Lack of digital platforms designed to make use of business data exchange and virtual networking.
    • How to build a network of businesses and advisors that benefit from enriching and exchanging data.
    • Technical bottlenecks in Big Data related to data harmonization, enrichment and exchange.

    Project objective

    Inform design of a main research project to develop new machine-learning and data exchange models for Big Data and digital B2B platforms that accelerate digitalization, innovation and network effects for SMEs in rural areas.

    Hypotheses for lower growth rates in rural and mountainous regions:

    • The Lemon Problem: lower trust in SMEs due to a lack of verified data (“Information Asymmetry).
    • Lower access to capital and specialist expertise in non-metropolitan areas (“Agglomeration Effects”).
    • Lower growth ambition? The Inland region of Norway has a high proportion of micro-enterprises.
    • Is this due to a perception of lower access to private capital?
    • Possible lower access to specialist/M&A expertise?
    • Other factors, such as cultural factors, systemic inequalities or biases, or lower competitiveness?

    Project Results

    Key results from the University of Inland Norway

    • Statistical analysis of ICT companies in the Inland region using publicly available data from Proff.
    • Use of Centralization Index as a basis for future ethnogeography studies and statistical analysis.
    • Mapping of advisory services and financial services available for companies in Innlandet.
    • Questionnaire templates to evaluate knowledge and utilization of digital tools and advisory services.
    • Other relevant suggestions from HINN colleagues for use in future research projects:
      • Social network analysis and gender study methods to analyze cultural and systemic factors linked to growth.
      • Analysis of industry clusters and network effects to identify best practice and factors linked to value creation.

    Key results from SINTEF

    • Clarified that the IMS has an innovative approach to data enrichment, which can be used to develop advanced machine-learning models with Humans-In-The-Loop, a current challenge for data scientists.
    • Identified opportunities to reduce time and cost of data entry by using machine-learning techniques for data harmonization and enrichment.
    • Identified areas for further development: Data Fusion, Dynamic Data Enrichment, Data Exchange.
    • Delivered a toolbox and recommendations for potential suppliers and partners to enhance the IMS:
      • Several leading data sets providing broad access to available business data in Norway and Europe.
      • Leading ontologies and vocabularies for harmonizing and enriching data with machine-learning.
      • Advanced methods and software for data mining, harmonization, and enrichment.

    Project Outcomes

    Clear path for development of advanced Big Data solutions (software, methods and data).

    • Data Harmonization/Fusion: integrate multiple data sources to dynamically produce structured data.
    • Data Enrichment: develop HITL machine-learning models to dynamically enrich missing/incomplete data.
    • Data Exchange: re-use “core” business data securely and cost-effectively across platforms and users.

    Scalable frameworks and templates for further research and studies into regional dynamics.

    Plan and partnerships to build a user ecosystem and test platform for data exchange.

    Clear project opportunities and expressions of interest from leading research institutions.

    • SINTEF invitation to join the EU Horizon “EnrichMyData” industrial research project with OECD.
    • Dialog with SINTEF and NTNU-NorCIS to establish NRC Collaboration Project in cybersecurity.
    • Private sector consortium of digital platforms in NRC Innovation Project (IPN) for data exchange.
    • Assisting INN to establish “Inn-the-Loop” NRC Social Impact Project (KSP) in artificial intelligence.
    • Dialog with INN and IESE Business School to apply for EU Horizon Expanding Investments Ecosystems.

    Want to learn more?

    Contact VentureNet for more information about the project results and collaboration opportunities.

    VentureNet

  • MinDID: Desentralised Identity (DID) and consent management for secure data exchange

    MinDID: Desentralised Identity (DID) and consent management for secure data exchange

    October 1, 2023 @ 8:00 am – October 31, 2024 @ 5:00 pm CEST

    (PROJECT)

    MinDID was a research project in 2024 managed by VentureNet AS in collaboration with the Norwegian Computing Centre (NR), which received co-financing from the Research Council of Norway and Innlandet County through the FORREGION program.

    MinDID succeeded in developing an reference architecture for a cutting-edge decentralized identity and consent management (MinDID) component for VentureNet’s data exchange platform to enable interoperability between decentralized identity and consent management solutions, such as self-sovereign identity wallets.

    According to an OECD report, a well-known barrier to data exchange is “a proliferation of standards, and a lack of common standards”. A key research question in the project was how to develop an open, independent and interoperable solution for decentralized identity and consent management (MinDID), which will be able to integrate with several commercial solutions for digital identity and consent management.

    The MinDID component aims to give data owners the ability to choose which applications they want to use for managing their identity, consent and data storage, in addition to easily switching between different solutions without having to lose control and overview of their data and settings for data exchange. MinDID can also enable third-party platforms to maintain customer relationships and data exchange agreements even if customers switch vendors for digital identity and consent.

    NR assisted in a mapping of relevant data exchange standards and technologies to ensure that the development framework for MinDID is in line with relevant EU initiatives, and contribute to increasing scalability and interoperability of VentureNet’s data exchange system.

    NR has cutting-edge expertise in digital identity, access management, encryption and security in digital marketplaces that are being developed in the EU, and which is highly relevant to the VentureNet consortium’s future research project plans. NR participates in several relevant EU projects, such as the Horizon project “FAME” that aims to develop a decentralized digital marketplace for “secure, interoperable and regulatory compliant data exchange in line with European initiatives such as GAIA-X”.

    Want to learn more?

    Contact VentureNet to learn more about research results and collaboration opportunities.

    VentureNet

  • INN-the-Loop: Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence

    INN-the-Loop: Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence

    January 12, 2024 @ 8:00 am – March 30, 2025 @ 5:00 pm CET

    (PROJECT)

    INN-the-Loop was a research project in 2024 managed by the University of Inland Norway (INN) with contributions from the Norwegian Computing Center (NR), SINTEF, NTNU SFI NORCICS (Norwegian Center for Cybersecurity in Critical Sectors), and VentureNet AS. The project was co-financed by the Research Council of Norway and Innlandet County through the Regional Research Fund (RFF) program.

    The INN-the-Loop project analysed limitations and risks related to ML, GenAI and Agentic AI. It identified significant risks and barriers to widespread adoption of AI in healthcare and other critical sectors that demand high standards of accuracy, safety, security, and privacy.

    The project builds on results from a research project in 2023 with several leading Norwegian research institutions and VentureNet AS, a Norwegian technology company specialising in data exchange automation. A key result from the 2023 project was a framework for Human-Guided Artificial Intelligence and Data Exchange (Human-GAIDE).

    Human-GAIDE was developed to address widespread challenges with data accuracy in AI models. AI and machine learning (ML) models are vulnerable to missing data, erroneous data, manipulation of data and systems, and AI bias, all of which can impact the accuracy of an AI-model. Error and cyber vulnerabilities can compromise the safety of AI-enabled systems and lead to undesirable outcomes, such as proliferation of manipulated and distorted information or medical device failure.

    The project developed a highly scalable methodology to design trustworthy AI-systems with dynamic HITL models for smart healthcare. This is applicable to several critical sectors with high requirements for safety, security and resilience.

    Go to Project Webpage
  • INN-the-Loop: Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence

    INN-the-Loop: Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence

    “INN-the-Loop” was a research project on artificial intelligence (AI) for critical sectors in 2024 that analysed limitations and risks related to ML, GenAI and Agentic AI. It identified significant risks and barriers, as well as solutions for adoption of AI in healthcare and other critical sectors that demand high standards of accuracy, safety, security, and privacy.

    The project was managed by the University of Inland Norway (INN) with contributions from the Norwegian Computing Center (NR), SINTEF, NTNU SFI NORCICS (Norwegian Center for Cybersecurity in Critical Sectors), and VentureNet AS. The project received co-financing by the Regional Research Fund (RFF) Innlandet supported by Innlandet County and the Research Council of Norway.

    Abstract

    Building on rapid development and investment in Artificial Intelligence (AI), the year 2025 heralded in “Agentic AI” as the new frontier for Generative AI (GenAI). The implication is that virtual assistants will be able to autonomously solve problems, set goals, and increase productivity by automating workflows, generating documents, and enhancing the productivity of humans who use AI-supported systems.

    However, for Agentic AI to be suitable for use in critical sectors, a solution is needed to address inherent limitations of AI related to accuracy, safety, security, adaptivity, trustworthiness, and sustainability. This article summarizes results from a research project in 2024 with leading Norwegian research institutions titled the “INN-the-Loop”. The aim of the project was to pre-qualify a framework to design, develop and test human-centric AI-systems for critical sectors, with a focus on smart healthcare as a use case. The project’s findings on AI risks shed light on the importance of digital regulation to ensure safety and security, while also presenting possible solutions for compliance automation to cost-effectively cope with changing regulatory, technical and risk landscapes.

    This article describes a framework, methodology and system/toolkit to develop trustworthy and sustainable AI-systems with Humans-In-The-Loop (HITL). The framework aims to address limitations and risks of current AI approaches by combining human-centred design with “Data Space” technologies, including privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) for decentralised identity and data access management.

    The project’s results are aligned with European initiatives to develop federated, sustainable and sovereign digital infrastructure for high performance (HPC) and edge computing. The results can inform design and planning of next-generation digital infrastructure, including local digital twins (LDT) and interconnected digital marketplaces, which can strengthen supply chain resilience in critical sectors.

    Download the full research report.

    INN-the-Loop Article v3.2Download
  • NCC-NO: “ECSO-VentureNet” A cross-sector platform to strengthen cybersecurity and resilience in critical sectors.

    NCC-NO: “ECSO-VentureNet” A cross-sector platform to strengthen cybersecurity and resilience in critical sectors.

    April 1 @ 8:00 am – September 30 @ 5:00 pm CEST

    (PROJECT)

    In recent years, cybersecurity has gained increased attention as a critical development area for society and industry to mitigate risk and enable data-driven value creation. The rapid global expansion of cybercrime has raised awareness of daunting challenges in cybersecurity for the public sector and businesses alike. Geopolitics and the Covid-19 pandemic have raised awareness of risks to security, safety and supply chain disruption, and a need for solutions to ensure resilience of digital systems and supply chains for critical sectors.

    In Europe, cybersecurity solutions and expertise have a wider role beyond mitigating and preventing risk and cybercrime. Privacy-enhancing technologies are enablers for data sharing and artificial intelligence (AI) in compliance with EU regulations. As such, cybersecurity can play a key role enabling businesses and communities to unlock data silos and generate value from data sharing and AI, increasing productivity with less resource consumption.

    The ECSO-VentureNet project aims to bring together cyber solution providers, experts and stakeholders from public and private sectors to collaborate on project establishment and research addressing key challenges and opportunities in cybersecurity, supply chain resilience and data-driven innovation.

    The project will plan a 3-day European cybersecurity conference in Oslo in collaboration with the European Cyber Security Organization (ECSO), North European Cybersecurity Cluster (NECC), Norsk Regnesentral (NR), and SFI NORCICS (among others). Preparation for the event will entail applied research and active engagement of SMEs, investors, industry clusters, and public sector partners through existing partner networks.

    The events and research are intended to develop a community, collaboration platform and framework for managing cybersecurity, supply chain resilience and data-driven innovation, including access to digital tools to find knowledge, partners and markets in Norway and Europe.

    VentureNet

    Visit the project webpage
  • Sikkerhetsfestivalen 2025

    Sikkerhetsfestivalen 2025

    August 25 @ 10:30 am – August 27 @ 9:30 am CEST

    (EVENT)

    Macsimum AS. “Sikkerhetsfestivalen”. Accessed 12.08.2025. https://www.sikkerhetsfestivalen.no

    Norges største møteplass for cybersikkerhet 25. – 27. august 2025

    Sikkerhetsfestivalen er en arena for erfaringsutveksling. Den ble arrangert for første gang i 2019. Vår ambisjon er at dette skal bli Norges største og viktigste sikkerhetsarrangement, og en samlende arena for alle med interesse eller ansvar for cyber-, IKT-, personopplysnings- og informasjonssikkerhet.

    Macsimum AS

    Scandic Lillehammer

    Turisthotellvegen 6
    Lillehammer, Innlandet 2609 Norway     + Google Map
    +47 61286000
    View Venue Website
    Event Homepage
  • Investing in Secure and Sovereign AI: Geopolitics and Cybersecurity in Healthcare and Critical Sectors

    Investing in Secure and Sovereign AI: Geopolitics and Cybersecurity in Healthcare and Critical Sectors

    October 22 @ 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm CEST

    (EVENT)

    By AI Mind (Oslo University Hospital) and VentureNet AS with support from NCC-NO; European Cyber Security Organisation (ECSO); LUMO Labs; Ræder Bing Advokatfirma AS.

    Title: Investing in Secure and Sovereign AI: Geopolitics and Cybersecurity in Healthcare and Critical Sectors.

    Organised by: AI-Mind (leading European project in applied AI for healthcare) and VentureNet with support from Ræder Bing Advokatfirma, LUMO Labs, European Cyber Security Organization (ECSO), and the Norwegian National Coordination Center for research and innovations on cybersecurity (NCC-NO).  

    Date: Wednesday, October 22, 12:30–14:30 CET

    Venue: Ræder Bing advokatfirma AS, Dronning Eufemias gate 11

    Format: Fireside chat and panel discussions, followed by networking

    Registration: Limited capacity (80), possible invite-only

    Language: English and/or Norwegian, depending on panelists   

    Event Description:

    In today’s rapidly evolving geopolitical climate, cybersecurity and digital sovereignty are more critical than ever for Europe’s resilience—and for investments in AI, healthcare, and other critical sectors. Responding to these global shifts, Norway and Europe now face tremendous opportunities to lead in artificial intelligence, secure infrastructure, and trustworthy data sharing.  

     Join us during Oslo Innovation Week for a unique seminar where leading experts and investors discuss concrete advances and strategic opportunities in sovereign AI, cybersecurity, and innovation in critical sectors. Hear the latest on European regulatory trends and pioneering pilots from Norwegian and European leaders, including AI Mind, one of Europe’s leading projects in applied AI for early detection of dementia.  

     Through two engaging panel discussions, we’ll explore:

    –          Privacy-enhancing data sharing and security for trustworthy AI in healthcare and critical sectors.

    –          Securing federated and sovereign digital infrastructure in a changing geopolitical and security context.

    –          Investment opportunities at the intersection of healthcare innovation, cybersecurity, and digital sovereignty.

    This seminar aims to strengthen collaboration between Norwegian and European investors and marks the start of a wider initiative, culminating in a North European Cyber conference in Oslo in November 2025. If you are an investor, policymaker, CISO, or decision-maker in a critical sector, this is a must-attend event to help shape Europe’s digital and geopolitical future.

    Event Homepage

    VentureNet

    Scandic Lillehammer

    Turisthotellvegen 6
    Lillehammer, Innlandet 2609 Norway     + Google Map
    +47 61286000
    View Venue Website
  • Nordic Fund Day 2025

    Nordic Fund Day 2025

    October 22 @ 5:00 pm – 11:30 pm CEST

    (EVENT)

    Nordic Edge AS. “Nordic Fund Day Oslo 2025”. Accessed 07.08.2025. https://nordicedge.org/events/nordic-fund-day-oslo-2025.

    🎉 Nordic Fund Day turns 10 — and we’re taking the celebration to Oslo! 🎉 Over 100 Nordic start-ups have already matched with our global investor network. Now it’s your turn 🚀 Applications for start-ups is now open! 🌱 Investors — come meet the founders shaping a better future. Expect energy. Expect impact. Expect Oslo.

    Event Homepage

    Nordic Edge

    View Organizer Website

    Scandic Lillehammer

    Turisthotellvegen 6
    Lillehammer, Innlandet 2609 Norway     + Google Map
    +47 61286000
    View Venue Website
  • EHiN 2025

    EHiN 2025

    November 11 @ 9:00 am – November 12 @ 4:30 pm CET

    (EVENT)

    EHIN AS. “EHiN 2025”. Accessed 29.08.2025. https://ehin.no/2025/.

    Hvorfor delta?

    EHiN (E-Helse i Norge) er Norges ledende konferanse for digitalisering av helsesektoren, og fokuserer på samspillet mellom helse og teknologi. Her er flere gode grunner til hvorfor du bør delta:

    • Hold deg oppdatert på digitale helsetrender: Ved å delta på EHiN får du tilgang til de nyeste trendene, innovasjonene og utviklingene innen digital helse. Du vil lære om banebrytende teknologier, beste praksis og nye trender som former fremtiden for helsevesenet.
    • Nettverksmuligheter: EHiN tiltrekker seg en mangfoldig gruppe fagfolk, inkludert helsepersonell, IT-eksperter, politikere og næringslivsledere. Dette er en flott mulighet til å nettverke, utveksle ideer og samarbeide med andre som brenner for å forbedre helsetjenester gjennom teknologi.
    • Påvirk fremtidige politiske beslutninger: Ved å delta på EHiN kan du bidra til dialogen om digitalisering av helsevesenet og hjelpe til med å forme de politikker og strategier som vil styre fremtiden for e-helse i Norge og utover.
    • Ekspertinnsikt og kunnskapsdeling: Konferansen har presentasjoner, paneldiskusjoner og workshops ledet av anerkjente eksperter på feltet. Du vil få verdifulle innsikter fra deres erfaringer og forskning, som kan hjelpe deg å implementere effektive digitale helseløsninger i din egen organisasjon.
    • Vis frem innovasjon: Hvis du jobber med innovative digitale helseprosjekter, gir EHiN en plattform til å vise frem arbeidet ditt, få tilbakemeldinger og potensielt tiltrekke deg partnerskap eller investeringer for å videreutvikle dine initiativer.
    • Profesjonell utvikling: Deltakelse på EHiN kan forbedre dine profesjonelle ferdigheter og kunnskap, og holde deg konkurransedyktig i det stadig utviklende feltet helse- og teknologi.

    Scandic Lillehammer

    Turisthotellvegen 6
    Lillehammer, Innlandet 2609 Norway     + Google Map
    +47 61286000
    View Venue Website

    EHiN

    View Organizer Website

    Visit the Event Website
en_USEnglish
nb_NONorwegian en_USEnglish