Danish AI: How Denmark is Contributing to The World’s Digital Dream

Danish AI innovation is pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the digital age.

In this post, we take a look at how Denmark is serving as one of the centers of the AI revolution.

Denmark recently ranked fourth in the Digital Economy and Society Index, enjoying a position at the top of the leader board for digital performance in the EU.

Globally, the country is among the elite in digitalisation.

Denmark puts research high on the agenda and this is where Danish AI comes in.

In the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Denmark sits amidst other countries with the highest public investment in research and development, this being measured in regard to GDP.

In AI territory, Denmark has stellar research space.

The country’s public sector is one of the most digitised on the planet, earning it international recognition.

The public research budget in 2019 was 23 billion DKK.

This figure indicates the level of attention the Danish government is placing on becoming a digital front-runner.

It also illustrates the scale of financial backing that will power this ambition.

Denmark has built a solid platform for this, and seems ready to integrate new technologies into society.

Digital Hub Denmark brought some of Denmark’s strongest tech companies & start ups to Web Summit in Lisbon 2019.

Certainly were selected to join the delegation to represent Denmark.

Certainly staff members promoting Danish AI at TechBBQ — Alongside many other companies, Certainly attended TechBBQ, the biggest startup and innovation summit in Scandinavia, in 2019. Here you see members of Certainly at the conference.

The Promise of Danish AI

A report published in 2019 by a collaboration of authors from The Innovation Fund Denmark, McKinsey & Company and the University of Copenhagen, explores the current situation concerning AI in Denmark and forecasts the future of the technology.

Key figures estimated in the report give insight into the effects it will have on Danish society in the future.

By 2030, AI may boost the economy by 35 billion DKK annually in additional GDP.

Furthermore, it shows promise in improving the well-being of Danish citizens with an increase of 0.4 % annually by 2030.

The report covers Denmark’s present standing regarding research within AI.

Three Danish universities rank within the top 15 in Europe in AI sub-disciplines.

The subcategories are natural language processing, algorithms, and complexity.

The University of Copenhagen, IT University of Copenhagen and Aarhus University boast third, seventh and fifteenth place.

Additionally, from 2018 to 2020, Danish universities endeavour to scale-up on the number of courses in AI-related subjects.

Denmark is taking long strides in its pursuit of AI superiority and fashioning a digital society.

However, the report is not shy in addressing the hurdles that must be overcome to achieve success.

Overcoming Obstacles

There is a pressing need for talent in this branch of computer science.

Denmark lacks enough individuals equipped with the skills and competencies for working in artificial intelligence.

The past decade has seen a 20% annual increase in the need for AI-specific expertise and skillsets.

The talent deficit is impeding the implementation of AI, say 51% of Danish enterprises.

Meanwhile, 35% of Danish AI start ups concur that this is restricting movement in the field.

Anders Søgaard, a professor in natural language processing and machine learning at the University of Copenhagen, states that one of the contributing factors of this is that graduates and academics relocate for work outside of Denmark.

None of the big players in the industry have headquarters or substantial research labs in the country, much to the detriment of Denmark’s AI scene.

Tech giants in the US attract hordes of individuals in the field, who leave their home nations for Silicon Valley.

Jobs with the big players in the industry are gold dust for aspiring tech wizards and are highly sought after.

Zendesk, who are one of Certainly’s partners, are a great example of a healthy Danish tech company that made it to Silicon Valley and now has 160 customer countries and territories.

Morten Primdahl, CTO of Zendesk, meeting with Certainly's founders to discuss their Danish AI chatbot. — Morten Primdahl, CTO at Zendesk, stopped by Certainly’s headquarters to meet with Certainly founders Darío Rodríguez and Henrik Fabrin.

The monopolisation of AI

Camilla Rygaard-Hjalsted, CEO of Digital Hub Denmark addresses the problem head-on:

“One of the crises Europe currently faces is that the large tech corporations are monopolising AI technology.

“A way in which Europe can back its corner is by channelling efforts into the green agenda and to also prioritise ethical principles that coincide with the development and application of AI, with a specific focus on algorithms and decision-making,” she said.

“Denmark is doing digital differently.

“We are ambitious and optimistic for what AI has in store for the future of our nation, and we extend a special invitation to women to come and join us in the tech industry in Denmark,” Rygaard-Hjalsted finished.

Henrik Fabrin, CEO of Certainly, promoting Danish AI solutions at Web Summit in Lisbon. — Certaily was invited by Digital Hub Denmark to promote DK as a pioneer country for digitalization and AI at the Web Summit in Lisbon in 2019. Here you see Henrik Fabrin, CEO and Co-Founder of Certainly, at the conference.

Canada is facing the same problem.

In April 2019, Montreal-based software company Element AI published their second annual report on the global talent pool within AI.

The report found that despite being one of the highest-ranking countries for employment and training within AI, the number of researchers leaving the country for work elsewhere beats that of those taking up roles in Canada.

It’s also important to note that computer science is a male-dominated area. Tackling the gender gap in the industry is imperative, as this will help in solving the talent problem.

Denmark’s National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence

In March 2019, the Danish government launched its new National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence.

The strategy details how the government will invest in the research and development of AI.

This will aid the progression of the technology in the public and private sectors, business and industry.

It stresses that the bedrock for growth of AI within these areas must be a human-centric, ethical approach that upholds the core values of Danish society: equality, security, liberty and freedom.

The government’s vision is that “Denmark is to be a front-runner in the responsible development and use of artificial intelligence.”

The strategy sets forth four objectives for how to fulfil this vision:

Denmark should have a common ethical and human–centred basis for artificial intelligence
Danish researchers should research and develop artificial intelligence
Danish businesses should achieve growth through developing and using artificial intelligence
The public sector should use artificial intelligence to offer world-class services

Henrik Fabrin, CEO of Certainly, speaking about potential of Danish AI at the Web Summit in Lisbon 2019. — Disruption is a big theme on the Danish government’s agenda. Here, Henrik Fabrin, CEO of Certainly, is talking about AI chatbots and disruption at the Web Summit in Lisbon 2019.

Danish AI offering revolutionary solutions

Projects that are contributing significantly to the country’s infrastructure are already underway across Denmark.

For example, scientists and researchers at Odense University Hospital in Southern Denmark are channelling their efforts into using AI to detect cancer in its early stages.

Through studying images of cancer cells, AI can judge whether a cell is cancerous. The technology has a high success rate within this field.

This will allow for early diagnosis and treatment, increasing a patient’s chances of survival. Ultimately, AI will be saving lives.

Researchers at the Carlsberg laboratory in Valby, Copenhagen, are also experimenting with AI.

The goal is to abolish the gruelling task of screening thousands of types of beer yeasts manually.

The lab will test thousands of yeast types using chemical sensors. AI will then examine the data from the yeast types.

Researchers are then able to conclude whether the yeast is of the right quality.

There is a high likelihood of the technology being used in the future to measure other things, such as air pollution.

Both projects are examples of how AI is pioneering revolutionary approaches to science and technology.

AI is conducive to saving time and energy.

It improves efficiency of processes and offers solutions to problems that hinder advancement in these areas.

The Bot Operators from Carlsberg came to the Certainly headquarters for an onboarding workshop with Michael Larsen. — Carlsberg representatives from 6 countries visiting the Certainly headquarters to be on-boarded on Certainly’s Platform to learn how to use AI for customer service.

Funding for Danish AI

Little expense is being spared on Denmark’s quest to achieve technological excellence.

The Danish government has designated 60 million DKK to fund the strategy from 2019 to 2027.

This is on top of a hefty sum of 295 million DKK granted from the research reserve in the Finance Act 2019.

This will fund research into the latest digital technologies and evolution in the area, and the establishment of a national centre for research into digital technologies.

The strategy emphasises four priority areas.

These are energy and utilities, healthcare, transport and agriculture.

These areas have taken precedence as authorities and businesses have access to quality data, a prerequisite for moving forward with AI.

How technology will strengthen 4 priority areas

The EU has also identified these areas as having notable potential for partnering with AI, noting that it could prove lucrative within these industries.

Europe should exploit the expanding capabilities of AI and welcome the changes it will bring to socioeconomic landscapes across the continent.

Energy and Utilities

Within the energy and utility sector, use of AI will enable businesses to create new services, products and business models.

This is particularly crucial for businesses in environmental technology and green energy.

This, in turn, will help other businesses and consumers lower their carbon footprint and expenditure through energy conservation.

AI could be essential at helping to reducing waste and injecting hope for a greener, more sustainable future.

Healthcare

The use of AI within the Danish healthcare system is a breakthrough for medical science, as it plays a role in preserving life.

Equally, AI can help medical professionals prioritise patients with severe conditions, who require attention sooner rather than later.

Transport

In transport, AI is useful for devising solutions when dealing with the logistics of traffic management.

This will create smooth traffic flows for road users.

It will also improve road safety and play a part in reducing vehicle emissions.

Finally, there are applications for self-driving cars and enhanced public transport services.

Agriculture

In agriculture, AI will be instrumental in the continuance of sustainable farming in Denmark, through precision agriculture.

Compiling and analysing real-time environmental data such as weather patterns, soil conditions, crop maturity, allows farmers to make decisions based on the information collected and act accordingly.

This type of agriculture can save time, increase yields and cut costs. It allows farmers to keep records and lessens the negative impact on the environment.

Framework for the development of AI

Alongside the four priority areas, the government have presented four focus areas in the strategy:

A responsible foundation for artificial intelligence
More and better data
Strong competencies and new knowledge
Increased investment

These areas form the practical framework for the development of AI within the priority areas.

The nucleus of the strategy in its entirety is the six ethical principles laid out by the government: self-determination, equality and justice, responsibility, explainability, development and dignity.

These will inform the practices of researchers, developers and organisations who are setting the strategy in motion.

Henrik Fabrin, CEO of Certainly, participating in a panel discussion at Nytårskur at Dansk Industri 2020. — Henrik Fabrin, CEO of Certainly, was invited by Dansk Industri to participate in a panel discussion about digital responsibility at Nytårskur 2020.

The principles highlight the importance that the Danish government places on nurturing the trust and confidence of its citizens, especially when navigating the waters of AI and its associated risks.

The strategy stipulates that artificial intelligence must be neutral and detached from personal circumstances.

It must avoid algorithmic bias and produce fair and non-discriminatory outcomes.

The data inputted into a computer system to train an algorithm must therefore be correct, impartial and free from prejudice.

This will serve and protect the four core values that characterise Danish.

24 initiatives for Danish AI

The strategy consists of 24 initiatives that will inevitably undergo changes and alterations as progress is made and obstacles crop up.

The demand for new initiatives will arise as developers make headway with new technology.

Energy levels must be maintained in all areas of research and implementation if the strategy’s vision is to be accomplished.

The government will keep track of the progress by regularly touching base with researchers, decision–makers, professional networks, political stakeholders and the like.

In short, the necessary points of contact who are instrumental in the process.

The strategy will be assessed annually, and any revisions made accordingly.

Denmark is gearing up to be a major driving force in the development of AI, in the long run, having devised a comprehensive strategy adaptable to the sands of time.

There are five central initiatives, spanning across the private and public sector, that are the key ingredients for the strategy’s success:

Stronger investment in Danish businesses
More open public-sector data for artificial intelligence
Common Danish language resource
Signature projects in the public sector
Principles for responsible development and use of artificial intelligence

Solid Foundations

Denmark is primed and ready to embrace a digital future. The field of AI and machine learning is experiencing exponential growth and reshaping modern society.

The country has seized the opportunity to build upon this growth, with the view of transforming lives for the better.

The prevalence of AI is to increase rapidly in the years to come, therefore it is of the utmost importance that countries welcome a future shared with machines.

More and more widespread adoption of AI and machine learning will also imply that job roles will need to adapt.

No, robots will not take over our jobs.

The Danish approach to artificial intelligence aims to be a smart and an ethical one at the same time: robots will help automate repetitive tasks, optimise processes, and ultimately redefine what it means to work in customer service.

Ultimately, this will redefine the level and quality of service companies can provide to their customers.

As a society that has always welcomed innovation and is now embracing digital growth, Denmark is likely to be at the forefront of the drive to redefine the future of work.

Find out more about the latest Conversational AI and Chatbot news in the Certainly blog

Article written by Elizabeth Garnett