UiB and IBM to develop the technological solutions of the future

Published 03.11.2017
University of Bergen and IBM to collaborate on technology development and innovation. (Photo: UiB/Andreas H. Opsvik)

– I'm impressed with the work being done here. Many of our programmes have started with partnerships like this, says Beth Smith, General Manager, IBM Watson AI. 

This deal will make IBM AI technology and analysis available on UiB’s learning platform, and opens up for students to participate in innovation projects with IBM and their customers. The cooperation will facilitate joint research- and innovation projects, and will also include access to Watson based cognitive technology.

– UiB is already a leader in digitalization, and we want to offer our students a wide range of tools through collaboration and partnerships. This agreement builds on our strategy of being a digitally inviting university, says IT Director at UiB, Tore Burheim.

Valuable digital knowledge
In addition to collaboration on research and innovation projects, UiB’s 16,900 students and 3,700 employees will now have the opportunity to use IBM’s technology platforms. This means that UiB can develop and test new technology and provide valuable feedback to IBM in creating new, digital solutions. 

IBM is also the technology partner of NCE Media and the Norwegian Media Cluster. The IBM Bergen office will relocate to Media City Bergen this winter. Through participation in innovation projects, and by working on bachelor and master theses, the students will also make use of their knowledge, and contribute to technology development. A chatbot for study- and career support is among the projects UiB is looking forward to develop with Watson. 

– We also believe that the collaboration can give tangible results in terms of exciting technology development and services that will benefit the whole community, says Burheim.

Strong competence in IT, combined with behavioral and business understanding, is necessary to create new sustainable innovations, according to IBM. Closer cooperation between business, universities and colleges plays a key role.

– IBM is very pleased to help educate future leaders. The collaboration with UiB gives the students valuable digital basic skills to understand and extract the opportunities this technology provides, says CEO of IBM Norway, Arne Norheim.

(Source: Article, UiB: read here)