This will be the third time that representatives from research, industry, the public sector, and the European Commission come together for an ADRA Forum, as Stavanger Forum opens its doors in September.
“ADRA Forum has become an important meeting place where you can stay updated on developments among both large and small players in Europe within artificial intelligence, data, and robotics,” says Senior Researcher Aksel A. Transeth from the robotics and control group at SINTEF Digital.
The AI, Data and Robotics Association (ADRA) is a public-private partnership that serves as a hub for this field in Europe.
Strengthening Europe’s Competitiveness
By bringing together professionals and highlighting new trends, ADRA Forum aims to contribute to a responsible digital transformation, strengthen Europe’s competitiveness, and promote an inclusive and sustainable society.
During the two days in Stavanger, the goal is to connect organisations and foster collaboration through EU programmes and initiatives, including Horizon Europe.
This year’s conference will feature companies such as Equinor and Indra, a major international player in technology and services for the defence industry, among others. They will participate in discussions on AI, data, and robotics related to security and preparedness.
The fact that these companies, along with others like Aleph Alpha and Telenor’s head of AI, are travelling to Stavanger to share important insights makes this year’s forum particularly exciting for Aksel A. Transeth.
Will Present Nemonoor
Part of the forum will also focus on how European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) support companies and the public sector in their regions with digitalisation, including AI and robotics.
On this occasion, Transeth will present how Nemonoor, one of two EDIHs in Norway, contributes to increasing competence and creating value.
Through Nemonoor, SINTEF has, among other things, provided AI mapping services to Norwegian companies. Transeth looks forward to meeting European colleagues to discuss opportunities and challenges.
“I hope that more colleagues will take advantage of this forum, and I encourage everyone in AI, data, and robotics who has the opportunity to register,” he says.
Strengthening Europe’s Competitiveness
ADRA also actively promotes proposals for priorities and strategies to the European Commission. Previous conferences in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, and Rocquencourt, near Versailles, France, have been a great source of inspiration, according to Transeth.
“Whether you develop technology and services with AI and robots, use such technology, or want to start using it, this year’s ADRA Forum is a meeting place to prioritise in order to stay updated on the opportunities and limitations of such technology,” says Transeth.
Europe as a Digital Pioneer
The largest project Transeth currently leads is on the use of artificial intelligence in aviation. When he was invited to Doha by Fusion Group this winter, it became clear once again that the international aviation industry is eager to adopt new AI tools and often looks to the Nordic countries and Europe for solutions.
The theme for ADRA Forum 2025 is “Pioneering the Future: AI, Data and Robotics for a resilient, strategically autonomous and globally competitive Europe”.
Making Europe and Norway more attractive to knowledge workers and investors will be central to the discussions, and there will be several sessions where start-ups show how they have succeeded in Europe.
AI-Driven Robots for Maritime Use
Transeth is particularly enthusiastic about the forum’s ability to offer “the big picture” in sessions on strategy, challenges, and opportunities with major European players, while also providing in-depth insights into specific technologies and applications.
This will take place through both panel discussions and dozens of workshops.
“The workshops cover everything from AI-driven robots for maritime use, search and rescue, or defence, to how to handle large data sets and achieve impact through innovation with AI, data, and robotics,” Transeth says enthusiastically.
The SINTEF researcher hopes more people will take the opportunity to attend, especially since they only need to travel as far as Stavanger to be part of it.
Stavanger Forum is one of Norway’s largest conference venues, with the best conditions for inspiring conversations, collaboration, and knowledge sharing, Transeth points out.
This year’s conference is organised by ADRA, with support from NORCE, SINTEF, and EDIH Oceanopolis.
- Read more: ADRA Forum
