The Icelandic Institute for Intelligent Machines and Dr. Inga Dóra Sigfúsdóttir, professor at Reykjavik University in Iceland and Columbia University in New York City, have been awarded a research grant from the European Research Council to develop a simulation of bio-psycho-social factors related to teen substance abuse. The “proof-of-concept” project will employ next-generation simulation and modeling techniques to create a hierarchical computer model that can be used for evaluation of prevention programs, educating councilors, posing complex what-if questions, and evaluate the effectiveness of preventative measures taken by municipalities, cities, and nation states to intervene in local and global substance abuse. States the ERC about the grant on their Website:

“With her newly awarded Proof of Concept grant, Prof. Sigfúsdóttir and colleagues will initiate a collaboration with the Icelandic Institute for Intelligent Machines to build a computational infrastructure […] creating a fully digitised toolkit that will benefit from digital automation, communication, and artificial intelligence methods. At the center of this strategy is a new detailed biopsychosocial computer simulation model with broad industrial, societal, and scientific impact. The final goal is to drive innovation and tackle the societal challenge of harmful adolescent behaviour.”

Read full ERC article here.

-RT