Data Science Day (in the evening)
After food and mingling with students and company representatives at the Science Library, Data Science Day 2025 was officially opened in Sophus Lies Auditorium by Arne Bang Huseby, Centre Leader of dScience. He welcomed participants from academia, industry and the public sector, and thanked the programme committee for their excellent work this year.
The rest of the evening was led by Ruth Astrid S?ter, communication adviser and former journalist with experience moderating events on technology, sustainability and innovation. She guided the programme and facilitated the discussions throughout the evening.
Presentations on AI in practice
Speakers from Kongsberg Maritime, DNV, Intellectual Labs and UiO shared concrete insights into how artificial intelligence is changing both technology and everyday work practices.
Kaj-Robin Weslien, Principal Engineer and Innovation Catalyst at Kongsberg Maritime, demonstrated how AI tools are reshaping a developer’s daily workflow. He illustrated how automation and AI-assisted coding can improve efficiency while also introducing new competence needs and a greater demand for human judgment.
Vegard Flovik, Principal AI Researcher at DNV, discussed the rise of agentic AI — systems capable of setting and pursuing their own goals. He underlined how these developments raise new challenges for assurance, safety and risk management as AI systems become more autonomous.
Alise Midtfjord Lohre, Data Scientist and Partner at Intellectual Labs, highlighted how AI is giving rise to entirely new professions, from preventive health strategists to architects of autonomous trading systems. She argued that the story of AI and work is not about what disappears, but about what emerges.
Daniel Bakkelund, researcher and consultant at the University of Oslo, emphasised that successful AI projects depend less on hype and more on understanding real problems, keeping the scope focused and recognising the limitations of the technology. Drawing on long experience from both academia and industry, he showed how clear problem ownership is key to creating value with AI.
Debating AI and the future of work
The panel discussion, moderated by Ruth Astrid S?ter, brought together these perspectives in a debate about how AI is reshaping work and responsibility. The panel included Vegard Flovik from DNV, Daniel Bakkelund from the University of Oslo, Alise Midtfjord Lohre from Intellectual Labs, and Ian Hildebrand from Kongsberg Maritime.
A great twist came when Camilla Lingj?rde, Integreat Postdoctoral Fellow in Statistics and Data Science at UiO, and Julie Natland Bj?rnstad, Master’s student in Statistics at UiO, challenged the panel on behalf of the target groups — researchers and students.
Networking and opportunities for students
The event also featured a strong line-up of company stands, offering students and early-career researchers an excellent opportunity to network, learn about current industry projects and connect with potential future employers.
Photos: Christoffer Hals, dScience, UiO.
The company stands featured contributions from Bluware, Chronos AS, DNV, Experis AS, Field Geospatial AS, Fürst Medisinsk Laboratorium, Gjensidige, Intellectual Labs AS, Kartverket, Kongsberg Gruppen, MOBAI AS, Norsk Regnesentral, Oslo universitetssykehus HF, SINTEF Digital, SSB (Statistisk sentralbyr?) and Tietoevry.
Organised by dScience
Data Science Day 2025 was organised by dScience – Centre for Computational and Data Science, which is part of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Oslo. The event was planned and carried out with support from the programme committee:
- Gudmund Horn Hermansen (chair) – Associate Professor at the Department of Mathematics, University of Oslo.
- Poushali Sengupta – Doctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Informatics, University of Oslo.
- Camilla Lingj?rde – Postdoctoral Fellow in Statistics and Data Science at the Department of Mathematics, University of Oslo.
- P?l Orten – Vice President, Technology at Kongsberg Maritime and member of the dScience Partner Program Advisory Committee.
- Christian Agrell – Programme Director, Digital Assurance at DNV and member of the dScience Partner Program Advisory Committee.
- Morten D?hlen – Professor at the Department of Informatics, University of Oslo.
dScience extends its thanks to all speakers, participants and contributors for making this year’s event both rewarding and insightful.
Do you have input to how we can make Data Science Day even better next year?
Data Science Day 2026 will be on Thursday 15 October 2026. Please save the date! You can also share your ideas on how we can be better next year by sending an email to: contact@dscience.no
Thank you!
Bios and abstracts
Arne Bang Huseby
Arne Bang Huseby is Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oslo and Centre Leader of dScience – Centre for Computational and Data Science. He has worked at UiO for more than 40 years, starting as a research assistant before becoming associate professor, professor, and head of department. He has served three terms as Head of the Department of Mathematics, where he was responsible for research, teaching, staff, and administration. In his career he has combined research, teaching, and academic leadership, and has contributed to the development of mathematics and data science at the university. As Centre Leader of dScience, he focuses on strengthening computational and data science across disciplines and on building connections between the university, industry, and society.
Kaj-Robin Weslien
Principal Engineer & Innovation Catalyst at Kongsberg Maritime. Holds an M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering & Signal Processing (Chalmers/Gothenburg). Helps colleagues succeed with innovation through the idea incubator Spark. Holds two patents within computer vision and resilient ship navigation. AI/ML practitioner since 2015, and moderator of the internal KONGSBERG AI community. Athletics coach and sourdough baker.
Abstract:
From Debugging to Delegating: How AI is Changing a Developer’s Day
This session explores the AI toolbox used in Kongsberg Maritime to empower software and data science engineers. Has the developer’s day changed? And how? The talk shares real-world examples and discusses how AI influences today’s and tomorrow’s technology landscape.
Vegard Flovik
Principal AI Researcher at DNV, with a background spanning academic research, industrial software development, and leadership in both research-intensive and commercial environments. Over a decade of experience in statistical modeling, simulation, and AI-driven solutions, bridging cutting-edge research with practical applications.
Abstract:
The Past, Present and Future of Agentic AI
Agentic AI refers to systems that combine autonomy, reasoning-like capabilities, and initiative to pursue goals, often through adaptive interaction with digital or physical environments. These systems have developed from early rule-based programs through statistical learning to today’s large-scale models that can plan, interact, and increasingly integrate with robotics. These advances create opportunities across industries but also raise questions about safety, trust, and governance. At DNV, the focus is on assurance, risk management, and responsible innovation to ensure agentic AI becomes safe and trustworthy.
Alise Midtfjord Lohre
Data Scientist and Partner at Intellectual Labs. Holds a PhD from the Department of Mathematics, University of Oslo, where she developed ML methodology for safety-critical problems. Passionate about the development and spread of AI, and recognized as one of the Top 50 Women in Tech in Norway 2025.
Abstract:
Jobs We Didn’t Have Names For (Yet)
The conversation around AI and work usually stops at efficiency: faster processes, fewer humans, cheaper results. But the real story is that AI is not just automating work—it’s inventing work we’ve never seen before. Examples include AI-augmented doctors shifting from treating illness to preventing it, and traders becoming architects of self-trading hedge funds. The talk explores AI as a founder: not just optimizing companies, but launching them. The future of work is not about what disappears—it’s about what emerges when AI joins forces with human expertise.
Daniel Bakkelund
Daniel Bakkelund is a mathematician, AI researcher and consultant with 25+ years of experience in turning complex industry problems into effective, working solutions. With a PhD from the University of Oslo and a background ranging from telecom and real estate to energy, defence and manufacturing, he now helps companies find value in AI—by focusing less on the hype and more on the hard stuff.
Abstract:
What Makes for Successful ML Projects?
The real power of AI and ML isn't in flashy chatbots—it's found by solving gritty problems buried deep in the business stack. This talk reveals why true AI/ML success comes not from chasing the hype, but from finding the right hard problems to solve. And, as it turns out, finding those problems is the hardest problem of them all.
Ian Hildebrand
Vice President Control & Digital, Kongsberg Maritime AS, Handling division. Leads the delivery of control systems for Offshore, Special Purpose, and Towing vessels. Over 20 years of experience in defense and maritime segments, with a strong record in building and scaling global technical and business teams. Holds a Master’s in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering from the University of Edinburgh. Passionate about personal and professional growth, long-term strategy, and hands-on operational insight.
Camilla Lingj?rde
Integreat Postdoctoral Fellow in Statistics and Data Science at the University of Oslo. She holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge and currently works on making machine learning more robust, generalisable, and fair. Camilla is passionate about ensuring that AI is developed and applied responsibly.
Julie Natland Bj?rnstad
Master's candidate in Statistics at the University of Oslo. Has previously completed a bachelor's degree with the Honours Programme at UiO in Mathematics with Informatics. Passionate about leveraging statistical theory to develop robust and explainable AI systems.
Ruth Astrid L. S?ter
Moderator and communication adviser. Former journalist with many years in the Norwegian press. Primary interests include climate, energy, sustainability, and environment, but also experienced in AI.