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The Biggest Nordic AI Stories of 2023

The Biggest Nordic AI Stories of 2023

Do you agree with my top ten Nordic AI stories of 2023?

Peter Juel Jensen
December 19, 2023

Pioneer AI: Checking the Nordic AI Pulse.
Welcome to the 15th edition of The Nordic AI Pulse, the weekly newsletter from Pioneer AI, our Nordic-focused AI investment fund. Dive in for a roundup of AI news, deals, and insights covering the Nordic region.

This is the last newsletter in 2023, so I wanted to take the opportunity to wish you happy holidays and a great 2024!

📚 In This Issue:

The Biggest Nordic AI Stories of 2023
Nordic News Roundup
Cool Tools and Companies
Please “Steal” This Start-up Idea
Nordic AI Funding News
Podcast Insights
Upcoming: Nordic AI Events You Shouldn't Miss

Pioneer Insights

The Biggest Nordic AI Stories of 2023

AI had a great year in the Nordic region and looks set for an even greater 2024. Below I have put together a suggestion for ten of the biggest and best Nordic AI news stories for 2023.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the list. Did I get it right, or did I miss something? Let me know on the Pioneer AI LinkedIn page here.

Now, without further ado, here are my suggestions:

AI dominates as word of the year: AI-related words top 2023’s word of the year lists in the Nordics. In Denmark, ‘ChatGPT’ earned the top spot. In Norway it was ‘AI-generated.’
Explosive AI company and solutions growth: Lists of new companies and tools underscore that AI is a once-in-a-generation technology that enables entrepreneurs to realise their vision faster and better than ever before.
AI potential remains untapped: Even with the number of new solutions and companies, innovation potential remains incredibly high - including in the Nordic region.
Country-specific AI models launched: Several Nordic language models and ChatGPT-like solutions in Nordic languages launched in 2023.
The EU AI Act: The EU became the first region to agree on AI use and development rule outlines. While regulations are necessary, I have my doubts about the EU’s approach.
AI funding: As detailed in my recent analysis of AI funding in the Nordics, there is strong investment interest. This includes Pioneer AI.
OpenAI: Sam Altman was fired, then reinstated. ChatGPT recently celebrated the busiest first year on record. It has already upended the world, including the Nordics.
Nordic countries funding AI: Nordic governments all allocated funds toward AI in 2023 – but was it toward the right areas?
Talent shortages: There is an ongoing shortage of AI professionals globally – and in the Nordics.
Pioneer AI is founded: It wouldn’t be right not to mention our own fund as part of the list 😊

Let me know what you think about the list and if I missed anything.

🎙Nordic News Roundup

Chat GPT is among the most googled words in Denmark in 2023. [DK] (TV2)
In Norway, AI is used to hunt for at-risk Porsche Taycan owners. [NO] (Motor)
AI Sweden launches two AI solutions to improve the country’s competitive edge, including a Swedish language GPT. [SE] (Via)
The Norwegian word of the year winner is ‘AI-generated.’ [NO] (NRK)
Denmark launches investments to encourage SMEs to use AI. [DK] (Ritzau)
Swedish healthcare institutions ‘will be massively influenced by AI.’ [SE] (SVK)
ChatGPT hype is being replaced by real-world solutions in Danish companies. [DK] (Erhvervplus)

🛠️ Cool Tools & Companies

Dianox from Denmark provides AI-powered drug discovery for biopharma companies.
AIba from Norway is an AI-powered moderator tool for social media platforms.
Arkus from Sweden develops artificial intelligence technologies in the field of genetic diagnostics and healthcare.
Workki from Finland is an AI company that focuses on empowering organizations and office workers.

Do you know cool tools or companies I should feature in the newsletter? Let me know!

💵Please “Steal” This Start-up Idea

Perhaps it is inspired by the Christmas season that we would love to see someone build the following (and if you do, we might invest in you).

Introducing "SkillSync," a personal development and skill acquisition AI. SkillSync is your personalised AI trainer, coach, or teacher. It tracks and supports your progress toward achieving goals and learning new skills. SkillSync tailors its approach to your learning style and pace, fostering deeper engagement and faster skill acquisition. SkillSync's AI technology and rich, adaptive learning database make it unique, as is its ability to provide real-time feedback and adapt learning content based on performance.

🚀AI Funding News

Select Nordic AI companies that have raised funds in recent months:

Valkiv from Sweden
BeCause from Denmark
Skald AI from Sweden
Teton from Denmark
RiACT from Denmark
Capalo AI from Finland
Saidot from Finland
QA.Tech from Sweden
Corti from Denmark
Skyqraft from Sweden

Congratulations to all of the founders and teams!

Are there other Nordic companies that should be on this list? Let me know!

🎧 Listen To

AI Sweden Podcast [SE]- Examines the state of AI in Sweden at the end of 2023.
Prompt [DK] - Danish podcast episode that looks at the new EU AI Act.
Digitaliseringspådden [NO] - Norwegian podcast episode on how companies and individuals can use AI to “talk” with their data.

📅 Training, Meetups & Conferences

Conferences

February 1-2 (2024): Danish Digitalization, Data Science and AI: AI research and knowledge-sharing conference. [Nyborg, Denmark]
14 March (2024): Applied AI Nordics: Make AI practical and understandable and inspire how to get value from AI in business. [Copenhagen, Denmark]
14 March (2024): AI-Con 2024: AI in the context of content and marketing. [Oslo, Norway]
17-18 April (2024): AI+: Get the latest updates from the world of artificial intelligence. [Halden, Norway]
24-25 April (2024): Data Innovation Summit: One of the most influential Nordic events on data, analytics and AI. [Stockholm, Sweden]