Somebody has to run faster
And test the new technology at the same time. This is how CEO Christian Askvik-Hansen at Prelect explains how and why they work with AI to develop the interaction between physical and digital infrastructure.
Hooked on research
The Centre for Extended Working Life was approached by DIG professors Therese Egeland and Inger Stensaker as they wanted to apply to the Norwegian Research Council for a project into the “silver economy”. They have stayed on as a partner since.
Supporting and communicating research like DIG’s into demographic changes are at the core of centre’s purpose, and they want to continue collaborating on research and spreading the word on the challenges and possibilities in the changing demographics.
Senior Adviser Olav Eikemo and Head of R&D, Roger Moen, are two of seven staffers at DIG’s bridging partner Centre for Extended Working Life. The foundation of the predecessor of the Centre goes back to 1969, and the key stakeholders in the labour market, such as trade unions and industry associations have jointly supported the centre ever since 1969. Since 2001 the Ministry of Labour have financed the centre.
Providing access
The term “bridging partner” suggests that their key functions in their relationship with DIG is providing access to their network of organisations behind the centre, thus making research possible and supporting dialogue and contact between the research sector and working life.
– We are not advocating any specific view or solutions. We are here to provide our owners and stakeholders with knowledge and a basis for decisions on how to make the workplace adapt to an ageing society, Moen and Eikemo says.
- We want to invite researchers from a diverse range of interests and academic backgrounds to carry out research into our core issues, they say.
Multigenerational management
Roger Moen is hopeful that the association with DIG and NHH will promote further research into an ageing workforce as a management challenge.
Hear from partners in Digdir
The Norwegian Digitalisation Agency (Digdir) works with DIG to stay connected with research groups nationally and internationally. – We need access to the best researchers and a strong network in Norway and internationally in the fields of AI and transformation.
– NHH is a new research partner for us. NHH is a leading academic institution in areas such as strategy and management, and this opens many possibilities. We would like to see research into multigenerational management, and how candidates from NHH in management positions will be equipped to meet that challenge, Roger Moen says.
- A key question is also how we create a workplace for the whole workforce with introduction of AI into work practices. We hope to stimulate more research into these issues, he adds.
They are both satisfied that when an institution of NHH’s standing and position commits itself to research in these areas, then this will have an impact om working life as research results work their way into the curriculum and education at NHH.
Olav Eikemo points out that the Centre is looking forward to concrete research collaboration, and that both DIG and the Centre are working towards a Corporate Work Shop early next year when ideas will be developed and new concrete projects will be discussed.
- There will be new projects and further applications to the Research Council, Roger Moen and Olav Eikemo concludes.