In a newly released episode of Deutsche Welle’s (“Germany’s BBC”) Techtopia series (free to view on YouTube), the focus is on artificial general intelligence. The episode features professor of computer science at Reykjavik University and Managing Director of the Icelandic Institute for Intelligent Machines Dr. Kristinn R. Thórisson. The program, written and directed by DW Chief Technology Correspondent Janosch Delcker, presents Dr. Thórisson’s trajectory from a 12-year old interested in robots and computers to a leading expert and researcher in artificial general intelligence. The episode’s introduction, narrated by creator Delcker, states: “They call it the ‘holy grail of artificial intelligence’: […] Building a computer that can do everything we can, or even more. Some believe that could cure all types of cancer, eradicate poverty, and create a more equal society. But other warn that such a system could turn against us, and become a threat to our very existence. So, where does work on artificial general intelligence stand … ?”
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 Continue reading IIIM & Reykjavik University Awarded European Research Council Grant→
In a recent article that appeared in Computer Weekly, IIIM is put at the forefront of the AI revolution with the catchy headline “Icelandic Research Could Revolutionise AI”. Reporter Pat Barnes continues, “The new approach [to AI], led by Kristinn Thórisson, director of IIIM and a professor at Reykjavik University, differs from existing approaches to AI [… It relies …] on self-supervised learning [… and …] a form of ‘reasoning’ – where the system autonomously generates hypotheses and tests them.”
The EU’s plan for pan-European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) across Europen countries has piqued the interest of the Icelandic government, and on May 11 it announced an interest in receiving letters of commitment from parties hoping to participate in an Icelandic EDIH, of which there is planned only one. The call, published by the EC, explicitly mentions AI centers with “advanced skills” as necessary for participation in the call. IIIM’s highly successful and long-standing close collaboration with industry, government, and academia, have put it at the forefront of applied AI and automation in Iceland. Bridging between numerous industries, academic researchers, and institutions, Continue reading IIIM Expresses Committment to Icelandic Government→
Catalyzing innovation and high-technology research in Iceland
In a newly released episode of Deutsche Welle’s (“Germany’s BBC”) Techtopia series (free to view on YouTube), the focus is on artificial general intelligence. 
The episode features professor of computer science at Reykjavik University and Managing Director of the Icelandic Institute for Intelligent Machines Dr. Kristinn R. Thórisson. The program, written and directed by DW Chief Technology Correspondent Janosch Delcker, presents Dr. Thórisson’s trajectory from a 12-year old interested in robots and computers to a leading expert and researcher in artificial general intelligence. The episode’s introduction, narrated by creator Delcker, states: “They call it the ‘holy grail of artificial intelligence’: […] Building a computer that can do everything we can, or even more. Some believe that could cure all types of cancer, eradicate poverty, and create a more equal society. But other warn that such a system could turn against us, and become a threat to our very existence. So, where does work on artificial general intelligence stand … ?” 
The EU’s plan for pan-European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) across Europen countries has piqued the interest of the Icelandic government, and on