Next Generation ai

DIREC has granted DKK 27 million to seven new research projects focused on developing the next generation of AI. The aim is to secure Danish digital breakthroughs that deliver tangible benefits to society.

supporting World-class danish research

The seven new projects cover a broad spectrum but all center on AI — from healthcare applications to drones and energy optimization. Each project is a collaboration involving at least two universities and a company, fostering partnerships and outcomes that extend beyond academic settings.

This initiative is part of the research fund allocation granted to DIREC in November 2024 by the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science. 

Projects

1813AI: Responsible AI for the Emergency Hotline

1813AI focuses on citizens with injuries and is developing a citizen-facing, adaptive AI chat solution that, through a new self-service app, will provide guidance and retrieve information during wait time. This creates faster access to help, reduces staff stress, and contributes to a more equitable and efficient healthcare service.

GREENSQL: Green digitalization starts in the database

Databases track information, move it back and forth, and ensure seamless integration across systems — but all of this consumes energy. A lot of energy. What if it could be done more efficiently? This question is central to this project. By optimizing code and databases with AI, GREENSQL has the potential to drastically reduce energy consumption.

MOTUS: Safe and Responsible Co-bots in Healthcare and Industry

Many researchers are working on bringing advanced AI capabilities to co-bots. However, AI is often unaware of its own mistakes. When the AI is simply ChatGPT writing an e-mail, at worst, its mistake will mean that e-mail makes no sense. But if the AI controls a co-bot, its malfunction can injure workers or destroy the robot’s surroundings. 

FAIRFM: Towards equal access to ultrasound scans

The quality of a fetal scan depends on the operator’s experience and the mother’s individual physiology, meaning some women receive more accurate assessments than others. The FairFM project aims to eliminate this disparity by developing AI that detects and corrects biases, ensuring all pregnant women have equal access to early and accurate fetal diagnostics.

REINS: Adaptive AI for Industry – Without the Cloud

The REINS project unites B&O, Leica Geosystems, the Alexandra Institute, DTU, and SDU in a shared mission: to develop AI that runs efficiently on devices that operate in dynamic environments with very limited computing power. The result is technology that saves energy, responds instantly, and can operate anywhere.

We expect these projects to yield both groundbreaking technologies and practical solutions that will strengthen Danish industry, research, and public institutions. The goal is not just scientific publications, but real-world applications that create value for Danish society.

Thomas Riisgaard Hansen
CEO, DIREC

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