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 Icelandic Institute for Intelligent Machines has been awarded an advanced research grant from CISCO Systems in San Francisco – one of the largest software companies in the world – to develop a new kind of AI. With over 77,000 employees worldwide, CISCO is a multinational technology corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells networking equipment and other high-technology services and products. The company’s annual revenue tops 50 billion U.S. dollars, making CISCO a market leader in IT and networking.
To understand IIIM’s AI research for which CISCO Systems pledges investment, think about our dependence on modern AI systems: Could we trust them to direct air traffic? Prescribe our medicine? Plan our summer vacations? Manage our finances? Probably not. Most people would find them untrustworthy. But a future AI that can explain why it does what it does – in a satisfactory manner – and demonstrate that its actions are sound, would probably be Continue reading CISCO Funds IIIM to Develop AI That Can Explain Itself→
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 Icelandic Institute for Intelligent Machines has been awarded an advanced research grant from