AGP Executive Report

Offshore Energy: Equinor and Aker BP are joining forces to develop Norway’s tight reservoirs, with about 2.8 billion barrels of oil equivalent in potential resources. Engineering and AI: Aker Solutions plans to cut costs and reshape operations ahead of lower activity in 2027, using standardised projects and AI-supported digital tools. Media and Technology: A Norwegian court has ruled that Meta’s proposed AI-scraping terms must face legal review before taking effect. Maritime Innovation: Norway’s Research Council is funding research into nuclear propulsion and energy for ships. Health Research: NTNU researchers found that JAK inhibitors weakened antiviral responses in laboratory models, raising questions for further study. Cybersecurity: Norway says successful cyberattacks against the country have tripled in the past six months.

Low-carbon Industry: Hydro has produced its first aluminium using HalZero at its Herøya test facility, a key step toward a process designed to eliminate emissions from primary aluminium production. Cybersecurity: Norway says successful cyberattacks have tripled in the past six months, underscoring growing pressure on the country’s digital defenses. Biomedicine: University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital researchers engineered an albumin-based protein that lasted longer in circulation and crossed the nasal barrier in humanized mice, pointing toward long-acting medicines that may not require injections. Maritime Technology: Norway’s Research Council is funding R&D into nuclear propulsion for ships, supporting work on maritime nuclear energy. Climate Science: One of Norway’s largest glaciers has split apart amid extensive melting, a stark sign of rapid change in the Arctic.

Maritime Nuclear Research: Norway’s Research Council is putting $2 million toward early research on nuclear propulsion for ships. The $15 million first phase brings together Emerald Nuclear, Island Offshore, VARD and NTNU. Cybersecurity: Norway’s National Security Authority says successful cyberattacks against Norwegian organisations have tripled in six months, with defence, space and critical infrastructure especially exposed. Climate Science: Satellite images show Harbardsbreen glacier has split into several sections as it shrinks; researchers say Norway’s glacier rankings may need updating. AI and Media: Norwegian media companies are taking Meta to court over plans to use their journalism for AI. Health Research: An NTNU-led study found faster walking was linked to lower mortality risk, even after accounting for daily step count.

AI and Media: Ten Norwegian media groups are seeking an injunction to stop Meta using publishers’ articles, photos and videos—including paywalled material—for AI products without consent. Health Research: Norwegian researchers found unusual antibodies in some children years before cancer diagnoses; lab tests suggest the antibodies may interfere with DNA-repair proteins, a possible clue to how some childhood cancers develop. Maritime Energy: Emerald Nuclear’s Norway-led ship reactor project won NOK 20 million in Research Council funding to advance system integration and testing. Offshore Technology: Equinor and Aker BP will develop shared methods to assess and produce from tight reservoirs, though no fields have been approved for development. Norwegian Tech Abroad: Oslo-based Sonitor was selected for an NHS supplier framework, opening a procurement route for its hospital tracking and scanning technology. Recycling: Tomra reported 20% third-quarter revenue growth, with stronger sales of reverse vending machines.

Medical Research: Oslo University Hospital researchers found laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver cut complications to 19%, from 27% with open surgery, without worsening long-term outcomes. AI in Schools: NTNU researchers reviewing 173 studies warn that generative AI can support or weaken pupils’ critical thinking, depending on how it is used; they say solid evidence on its effects remains scarce. Clean Energy: A Norwegian alliance is calling for stronger solar support, while lawmakers are pushing plug-in solar panels and batteries as a source of bill relief and backup power. Norway is also sharing offshore-wind expertise with Vietnam. Data Security: Norway has raised concerns that Chinese smart vehicles record sensitive activity near military bases, highlighting the security risks of connected-car data. Sovereign AI: Telenor and F5 are partnering to build an AI service platform on NVIDIA infrastructure. Offshore Technology: Equinor and Aker BP plan to develop shared technology for tight reservoirs, where an estimated 2.8 billion barrels of oil equivalent could be recoverable.

Norwegian Tech: Oslo-based Idex Biometrics will close its UK development site in November and consolidate engineering and technology work in Oslo, aiming to save NOK 20 million a year. Arctic Shipping: Expedition cruise operators meeting in Oslo approved standardized fuel reporting to establish an emissions baseline and improve data sharing. Solar Power: A coalition of 16 Norwegian organizations is urging the Storting to boost solar support, saying deployment is lagging behind the 8 TWh target for 2030. Cybersecurity: Check Point says 13% of Norwegian organizations were affected by the PHP2Shell vulnerabilities, among the highest rates reported worldwide. Offshore Wind: Vietnam is looking to Norway for offshore wind expertise, with the two countries exploring cooperation in the sector. Quantum Research: NTNU physicist Asle Sudbø contributed to new research on magnetic skyrmions, which could enable smaller, more energy-efficient computing and data storage. Vehicle Data: Reports that Chinese smart cars in Norway recorded sensitive activity near military bases are raising concerns about connected-vehicle data collection.

Energy Tech: Norwegian lawmakers are pushing plug-in solar panels and home batteries as a way to cut bills and provide backup during power disruptions. Data Security: Chinese smart vehicles in Norway have reportedly recorded sensitive activity near military bases, raising concerns about what their onboard systems collect. Arctic Research: Funding cuts and geopolitical tensions are putting wildlife studies at risk, even as research is needed to track rapid changes in the region. Wildlife: NINA researchers report long-term declines in common eider numbers along much of Norway’s coast. Sovereign AI: Telenor and F5 are partnering on AI infrastructure designed to keep services and data under Norwegian control.

Connected-Car Security: Norway’s military found Chinese rental cars recording activity during exercises, including movements near military sites and gate codes, raising concerns about data collection and remote access. Cyber Resilience: NTNU warns that many municipalities are unprepared for cyberattacks; exercises help staff protect essential services after ransomware paralysed Østre Toten in 2021. Health AI: UiT researchers developed an AI model that estimates breast-cancer risk from mammograms over the next one to five years, with the aim of helping clinicians detect more cases early. Energy Tech: Norwegian lawmakers are pushing plug-in solar panels and batteries to cut bills and provide backup power. Norway also led Europe in electric-car uptake, with battery-electric vehicles making up 97.8% of new registrations in the latest comparison. Deep-Sea Research: A MAREANO expedition found a whale’s remains nearly 2.8 kilometres down on the Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge, surrounded by a thriving ecosystem that may include species new to science.

Connected-Car Security: Norway’s military found Chinese-made rental cars had recorded footage of an exercise, including activity near military facilities and access codes. The incident has sharpened concerns about data collection and remote access in connected vehicles. Municipal Cybersecurity: NTNU researchers say municipalities need to practise responding to cyberattacks, citing the 2021 ransomware attack that paralysed Østre Toten’s systems and disrupted essential services. AI in Healthcare: A UiT-led team has developed an AI model that estimates breast cancer risk over the next one to five years from mammograms, potentially helping doctors identify cases earlier. Home Energy: Norwegian lawmakers are pushing plug-in solar panels and batteries as a way to cut bills and provide backup power during crises. Electric Vehicles: Battery-only cars accounted for 97.8% of new registrations in Norway from March to August, the highest share among countries in a recent international comparison.

Household Energy: Norwegian Green Party lawmakers want to legalize plug-in solar panels and batteries, arguing small systems could lower bills and provide backup power during emergencies. Data Centres: A former engineer is suing Nscale in Norway, alleging the company controlled his work despite his subcontracted status and dismissed him after he raised concerns. Separately, Telenor and F5 are partnering on sovereign AI infrastructure, while Polar plans a 40MW AI development in Norway. Arctic Fisheries: Norway and Russia have reached a fisheries agreement for 2027, amid reports that Russia’s Barents Sea cod quota exceeds scientific advice. Science: Nobel laureate May-Britt Moser has explored how the brain’s internal navigation system works, while NTNU researchers contributed to a study on how AI can interpret conflicting emotional cues. Norwegian Industry: Kongsberg is supplying remote weapon stations for Poland’s K2 tanks, extending the reach of Norwegian defence technology.

AI & Data Centres: Nscale faces a lawsuit in Norway from a Stavanger engineer who alleges illegal subcontracting and retaliation after raising pay concerns. AI Research: NTNU researchers collaborated on a model that helps AI interpret conflicting cues in speech, text and facial expressions. Defence Technology: Kongsberg will supply remotely operated weapon stations for Poland’s K2 tanks, while a new Norwegian factory will produce Leopard 2A8 tanks. Energy & Engineering: Equinor awarded Aibel design work for the Wisting production vessel in the Barents Sea. Arctic Fisheries: Norway and Russia have proposed raising the 2027 Barents Sea cod quota by 14%, above scientific advice, as research warns that warming waters could complicate cod recovery.

Sovereign AI: Telenor’s AI Factory has partnered with F5 to secure and manage AI services on Norwegian infrastructure, aiming to keep data under local control as demand grows. Farm Technology: Norwegian firm Nofence’s solar-powered GPS collars let farmers manage grazing remotely, with potential savings of up to €110 per cow and lower fencing and labour costs. Antarctic Research: Norway’s Institute of Marine Research won funding to develop stereo cameras for more scalable monitoring of krill, an important step toward better ecosystem management. Clean Aluminium: Norsk Hydro produced its first metal at the HalZero test facility, a milestone in developing carbon-free aluminium technology. Defence Engineering: Kongsberg tested a containerised Naval Strike Missile launcher in Norway, designed for rapid deployment on land, trucks or ships.

AI Infrastructure: Polar and Crusoe are expanding their Norway partnership with a 40MW AI infrastructure development, adding capacity for energy-hungry computing. Electric Shipping: A 1,700-TEU battery-powered containership design has won approval in principle from ABS at a maritime conference in Bergen. Its 151MWh battery system is designed for port charging and zero direct emissions underway. Climate and Health: Researchers estimate heat killed more than 50,000 people in European cities this summer, with climate change driving about two-thirds of the toll; Norway was included in the study. Sustainable Aviation: Avinor plans an international Norwegian testbed for lower-emission aircraft. Flood History: University of Bergen researchers are using an 11-metre sediment core to trace 8,000 years of flooding around Voss, helping place recent extremes in a longer historical record.

Battery Innovation: Norwegian firm Ensurge Micropower has signed a paid, multi-year deal to develop a compact solid-state battery for a global wearables company, with mass production a potential next step. Defence Technology: Denmark is buying Kongsberg-made Joint Strike Missiles for its F-35s, adding Norwegian technology to its long-range deterrence plans. AI Infrastructure: A new data-centre project at Herøya will use Vertiv’s prefabricated power and cooling systems, with a 41-megawatt first phase and plans to scale up. Arctic Security: The EU is proposing stronger maritime and satellite surveillance and a hub to monitor and repair undersea cables, as reports of Russian vessels near cable routes raise concern. Science: The 2026 Physics Nobel recognises Francis Halzen’s vision for IceCube, the South Pole neutrino observatory that opened a new way to study the distant universe.

AI Infrastructure: Polar is expanding its partnership with Crusoe on a 40MW AI data-centre development in Norway, as demand for computing capacity runs up against power constraints across Europe. Electric Aviation: Avinor plans an international testbed for sustainable aircraft, with five Norwegian sites selected for hybrid-electric demonstrations. Defence Technology: Norway and Ukraine aim to test the FREYJA ballistic-missile interceptor by year’s end. Subsea Connectivity: A Norwegian company has proposed a 2,800-mile cable linking Canada and Europe, offering an alternative route for transatlantic data. Marine Research: Norwegian researchers completed the first controlled slaughter of live-stored bluefin tuna in Norwegian waters, using a surface-operated method designed to preserve fish quality. Aquaculture Data: DNV is buying a majority stake in Chilean consultancy Aquabench to expand digital analytics and fish-health services.

AI Infrastructure: A 12MW data centre in Tørdal is now running on Norwegian hydropower, and Polar Data Centers and Crusoe plan a further 40MW expansion by late 2027. Defence Technology: Norway and Ukraine are accelerating the FREYJA missile-defence programme, aiming to begin tests by year-end; Kongsberg is among the partners. Arctic Energy: A new study is renewing interest in a long-known Barents Sea gas discovery, as Norway looks to assess its potential. Arctic Science: Research warns that warming in the Barents Sea could complicate cod recovery, while a separate study links warming-weakened permafrost to a rock avalanche that buried part of a glacier on Jan Mayen. Digital Security: The EU’s updated Arctic strategy puts maritime surveillance and protection of subsea cables at the centre of its regional plans.