With a new National strategy for artificial intelligence, the government sets the framework for how Denmark can acquire the great potentials of AI in the years to come. The strategy is launched today at the Danish Digital Summit 2019 with the theme "Together for a responsible digital future for Denmark".
AI is already a part of our everyday life. It is the software solution that makes many apps, search engines, image recognition, diagnostics and facial recognition, and automation in the industry work smoothly.
In the years to come, there is a vast potential for further economic growth and better public services through AI. But the main challenges are to provide a responsible and ethical basis for AI, better access to data for companies, developing knowledge and skills, and increasing private investments in artificial intelligence. Therefore, the Danish government has a vision that Denmark should be a frontrunner in responsible development and use of AI.
With the strategy, the government sets four goals:
With the strategy, the Danish government initiates a number of new initiatives to further strengthen Denmark’s strong digital position. Among these are six new principles for responsible development and application of AI. More public data must be open and available for artificial intelligence. And a joint Danish language resource will be established to support the development of AI in Danish.
Minister for Industry, Business and Financial Affairs Rasmus Jarlov:
”Better use of artificial intelligence can create new business opportunities. That is why I am very pleased to present a national strategy for artificial intelligence, which can benefit companies in particular, but also citizens and the public sector, while at the same time having a strong ethical focus.”
Minister for Public Sector Innovation Sophie Løhde:
”We have to utilize the possibilities within artificial intelligence. The technology can help caseworkers in the public sector to do routine tasks or help doctors make diagnoses that are more accurate. If we want to keep up with the technological development, we need to get up to speed, and the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence will set the course. At the same time the strategy will ensure, that we move forward in an ethical responsible way, so citizens also in the future can feel safe about technological developments.”
Minister of Health Ellen Trane Nørby:
“Artificial intelligence presents a variety of opportunities for our health care sector. The use of artificial intelligence solutions with imaging and diagnosing techniques can help doctors diagnose and treat patients in a more precise and efficient way which can allocate valuable time for better patient care.”
Minister of Higher Education and Science Tommy Ahlers:
“New technologies offers many opportunities to improve things, and we must take advantage of those opportunities. However, new technologies like artificial intelligence also contains hazardous elements. Therefore, we must insist that these technologies are built on Danish values like trust and transparency, and that Danish scientists are at the forefront of the development. So that we can trust each other and the systems. This underlines the importance of getting a national strategy for how we in the short term can seize the opportunities, and in the long run handle both the challenges and opportunities created by artificial intelligence.”
National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence
Factsheet National strategy for AI
For further enquiries contact:
Press adviser in the Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs Jesper Ingemann, jesing@em.dk, tel.: +45 91 39 94 14.