AGP Executive Report

AI Infrastructure: Microsoft’s exit from Nscale’s UK data-centre deal has shaken the company’s IPO plans. Its flagship Norwegian site is also six months behind schedule, with 6.4MW of a planned 30MW operational; Microsoft remains involved in Nscale’s Norway projects. International Tech: Norway is seeking closer AI and security cooperation with South Korea, citing both countries’ reliance on international rules. Biodiversity: University of Bergen and Bjerknes Centre researchers found alpine regions host 7.8% of the world’s vertebrate species despite covering only about 3% of land, providing a baseline for tracking climate impacts. Clean Energy: Voith has secured a modernization contract for Norway’s second-largest hydropower plant, while DNV-led offshore mooring research has helped shape a new international standard.

Forensic Science: Oslo University Hospital researchers found that airborne human DNA could help identify intruders in simulated burglaries, though recovery varied with household and environmental conditions. AI Infrastructure: Microsoft has dropped its planned role as anchor tenant at Nscale’s delayed UK data centre, citing power-supply concerns. Its Norwegian site is also behind schedule, with 6.4 of a planned 30 megawatts operating. Research Funding: Norway is weighing the cost of joining the EU’s next research programme: full participation could reach NOK44 billion in 2028–34, prompting concern that higher fees could squeeze domestic research. Clean Energy: Voith has won a contract to modernize Norway’s second-largest hydropower plant. Technology Trade: Norway and its EFTA partners signed a free-trade agreement with Vietnam, opening new scope for cooperation in innovation and advanced technologies.

Medical AI: Norwegian researchers are developing AI to help doctors identify intestinal polyps that may become cancerous and prioritize patients for endoscopy. Subsea Innovation: Norway’s Flocean is under consideration for an underwater desalination project in the Maldives, using deep-ocean pressure to power modular systems; feasibility studies are underway. Arctic Research: The U.S. Coast Guard tracked four Chinese research vessels off Alaska in September, raising concerns about Arctic data gathering and security. The issue was discussed at a conference in Oslo. Greenland Climate: Fjord mud preserves a 5,000-year record of North Atlantic weather patterns, helping researchers understand how snowfall and cold spells shaped southwest Greenland’s ice. Heart Health: A nearly decade-long Oslo University Hospital study found that weightlifters who continued using anabolic steroids had persistently thickened heart muscle and weaker pumping. Arctic Connectivity: Space Norway selected Ciena to modernize the Svalbard cable system and equip a new subsea link, strengthening communications in the region.

Marine Research: Norway’s fisheries vessel GO Sars is surveying the Barents Sea on a yearly route, collecting long-term data on fish stocks and ocean life through round-the-clock trawling and lab work. Heart Health: A nearly decade-long Oslo University Hospital study found that men who continued using anabolic steroids had persistently thickened heart muscle and weaker pumping function. Arctic Connectivity: Space Norway has selected Ciena to upgrade its Svalbard cable system and equip a new Arctic subsea link, strengthening communications infrastructure in the High North. Offshore Engineering: DNV-led research on mooring systems has helped shape an updated international standard, aimed at improving offshore safety and cutting costs. Nuclear Waste: Norway has signed a landmark deal with Swedish firm Studsvik to manage the country’s legacy spent nuclear fuel.

Microplastics: A new study suggests plastic particles can generate reactive molecules in water, potentially causing cell damage and inflammation in the body. Children’s Health: Norwegian School of Sport Sciences researchers reviewed activity data from nearly 13,000 children and suggest the 60-minute daily exercise target may be too low; getting children out of breath matters. Arctic Paleontology: University of Oslo researchers say ichthyosaurs’ unusually dense ribs may have helped them dive, based on fossils including specimens excavated on Svalbard. Science Partnerships: Norway will provide UNESCO NOK 530 million for 2026–29, supporting education, culture and the organisation’s work in science. Norwegian Tech: Oslo-based AI engineering startup Solvera has raised €5.62 million to scale its business.

Nuclear Legacy: Norway’s nuclear decommissioning agency has signed a long-term deal with Sweden’s Studsvik to manage about 16.5 tonnes of spent fuel from the Halden and Kjeller research reactors. Fuel will be treated and stored in Sweden before returning to Norway; the agreement runs to 2055. Offshore Grid: Nexans has started making 525-kV subsea power cables at its Halden plant for Germany’s LanWin2 offshore wind connection, marking the first industrial-scale production of this cable technology. Agricultural Robotics: Norwegian firm Saga Robotics’ Thorvald robot made Time’s 2026 Best Inventions list. It uses UV-C light to fight crop disease, cutting reliance on fungicides, and is already operating in strawberry fields and vineyards abroad. Neurotechnology: SINTEF researcher Sandra Klonteig says brain-measuring and stimulation technologies could help improve diagnosis and treatment for anxiety and depression. Arctic Connectivity: Space Norway is upgrading subsea fibre links to Svalbard and plans to deploy new technology on a future cable system.

Defence Technology: Norway has begun assembling Leopard 2A8 tanks at a new Levanger facility, which will build 37 of the 54 tanks ordered. Nammo’s ramjet-powered 155mm artillery round has also reached a new development milestone, with tests showing it can fire from standard guns. Health Research: NTNU and the Norwegian Centre for Headache Research used health-app and physiological data to train AI models that can predict moderate-to-severe post-concussion headaches up to 24 hours ahead. Offshore Engineering: Research led by DNV has been incorporated into a revised international standard for mooring systems, giving floating offshore installations a more consistent safety framework. Arctic Infrastructure: Space Norway has selected Ciena to modernise its Svalbard cable system and equip a new Arctic subsea route. Seed Conservation: Ukraine deposited 773 seed samples from 10 crops in Svalbard’s Global Seed Vault, its first deposit there since Russia’s full-scale invasion.

AI Engineering: Oslo-based Solvera has raised €5.62 million in pre-seed funding to scale its AI-native engineering firm, launched in July. Offshore Standards: A decade of DNV-led research has shaped a new international standard for floating-platform mooring systems, offering a more consistent design approach that could cut costs while maintaining safety. Arctic Connectivity: Space Norway has chosen Ciena to modernize its Svalbard cable system and equip the new Arctic Way subsea cable. Health Research: A Norwegian study linked coffee drinking with fewer repeat blood clots, while research on steroid-using weightlifters found heart-wall changes can recover after quitting, but pumping strength may remain reduced. Data Privacy: Norway’s privacy watchdog fined Microsoft-owned Xandr NOK 92 million over the sharing of Grindr user data.

Health Research: Norwegian studies point to important limits and clues in treatment: a follow-up of strength athletes found some heart changes improved after stopping anabolic steroids, though pumping strength remained lower; a separate study linked coffee drinking with fewer repeat blood clots. Researchers also found genetic differences can help predict how patients respond to venlafaxine, based on records from more than 5,400 people. Arctic Infrastructure: Space Norway selected Ciena to modernise the Svalbard cable system and supply equipment for a new Arctic subsea cable, strengthening communications links in the region. Engineering: Drammen’s new city bridge, designed for buses, cyclists and pedestrians, was recognised for engineering choices that eased foundation construction. Biodiversity: Ukraine deposited 773 seed samples in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault for the first time since Russia’s 2022 invasion, adding to the vault’s collection of more than 1.4 million samples. Aquaculture: Norwegian assurance company DNV bought a majority stake in Chilean inspection firm Aqualis, expanding its work on aquaculture infrastructure and certification.

Arctic Connectivity: Space Norway has hired Ciena to modernise its Svalbard subsea cable network and equip the new Arctic Way system. Aquaculture Engineering: DNV acquired a majority stake in Chilean inspection firm Aqualis, expanding its services for the country’s aquaculture sector. 5G Security: Telenor Linx selected a new security platform to protect communications between operators as it develops 5G standalone roaming. Cancer Research: University of Bergen researchers found unusual antibodies in children with cancer that may interfere with DNA repair. The discovery could inform future screening research. Defence Technology: Kongsberg plans to invest €46 million in a Polish counter-drone factory. Data Privacy: Norway fined Microsoft subsidiary Xandr $9.6 million over its handling of sensitive Grindr user data.

Earth Science: University of Oslo researchers identified four episodes of rapid polar movement over the past 320 million years, using ancient sea-level patterns to trace shifts in Earth’s crust and mantle. Arctic Connectivity: Space Norway selected Ciena to upgrade its Svalbard cable network and equip the Arctic Way subsea system, expected to enter service in 2028. Fertility Research: A study using data from 64,000 women in Norway’s Mother, Father and Child Cohort found that those having sex more than four times a week conceived faster on average; the researchers report an association, not a guarantee. Animal Nutrition: Norwegian University of Life Sciences research found pigs and chickens digest starch at similarly high rates, with grain type affecting availability more than species. Arctic Monitoring: Nord University researchers urged the EU to create a centre combining satellite, shipping and other data to spot risks in the High North. Data Privacy: Norway’s privacy watchdog fined Microsoft-owned Xandr NOK 92 million over the handling of sensitive Grindr user data.

Privacy: Norway’s data regulator fined Microsoft-owned Xandr NOK 92 million for sharing Grindr users’ sensitive data with advertisers, finding the company responsible for handling information that could reveal sexual orientation. Packaging research: Norway is seeking exemptions from EU rules on plastic wrapping for fresh produce. Nofima research found unwrapped cucumbers lost 11 days of shelf life, raising concerns about food waste during long deliveries to Northern Norway. Clean energy: Statkraft says renewables could become the world’s leading source of electricity by 2035. Floating wind is also growing: global capacity rose 38% in a year, and Norway now leads in operating projects. Research careers: Norwegian PhD candidates earn among Europe’s highest starting pay, at about €49,700–€51,100 a year, according to a new comparison. Digital safeguards: The EU data regulator says smart glasses should give clear, reliable warnings when recording, citing privacy risks in places such as schools and hospitals.

Heart Research: An Oslo-led, decade-long study links continued anabolic-steroid use to lasting heart muscle thickening and impaired pumping; heart function improved when users stopped. Clean Shipping: PowerCell won a SEK 27 million order to equip two more hydrogen-electric bulk carriers, bringing its planned supply to four ships. Satellite Monitoring: Nigeria and Norway plan to use satellite vessel tracking to detect illegal fishing and strengthen enforcement. Data Privacy: Norway fined Microsoft subsidiary Xandr NOK 92 million over Grindr data sharing. AI Infrastructure: VivoPower is starting work on a 40MW AI data-centre conversion in Mo i Rana, while TGS and Galdor are partnering on AI-driven North Sea exploration.

Data Privacy: Norway’s data protection authority fined Microsoft-owned Xandr a record NOK 92 million for sharing Grindr users’ sensitive data with advertisers without valid consent. Solar Power: Norwegian energy firm Otovo has completed 1,000 inverter replacements using Tigo technology, bringing aging or abandoned solar systems back into service. AI Infrastructure: VivoPower has begun converting a Mo i Rana site into a 40MW AI data center, with local contractors handling early construction and plans to reuse waste heat. Health Research: A study of 120,218 births at three Norwegian hospitals found that pushing outcomes vary with a baby’s position and epidural use, helping refine guidance on labor. EdTech: Norwegian math platform House of Math is partnering with U.S. firm LaunchEd to test its personalized learning system in Florida classrooms.

Drug Safety: A Nordic registry study of more than 97,000 patients found no link between semaglutide and pancreatic cancer. The regulator-required study used data from Norway, Denmark and Sweden and was funded by the drug’s manufacturer. Mental Health: Preliminary research led by Oslo University Hospital found women with bipolar disorder and regular menstrual cycles reported more severe premenstrual symptoms. Archaeology: Underwater researchers off western Norway have recovered a grooved stone they believe served as an anchor at the 5,000-to-9,000-year-old Hespriholmen quarry site. Lunar Science: Norway’s Space Agency will partner on a NASA-backed mission to investigate a lunar lava-tube opening, a potential site for future astronaut shelter. AI Policy: Norway is considering temporary restrictions on smart glasses in public spaces including schools, gyms, parks and beaches.

Privacy & Wearables: Norway is weighing temporary limits on AI smart glasses in public spaces, including schools, gyms, parks and beaches. Arctic Research: Reliable AI forecasts of sea ice depend on sustained observations, highlighting the need for long-term data collection. Ancient Technology: A University of Stavanger researcher helped map how people carved 18,000-year-old figurines from mammoth ivory, using advanced microscopes to investigate their designs. Floating Solar: Norwegian company Ocean Sun is taking its membrane-based solar technology to India for a pilot with Tata Power. Digital Resilience: Norway’s proposed 2027 budget would boost funding for emergency networks and telecoms resilience. Fisheries Science: ICES recommends zero cod catches in 2027 across Northern Shelf stocks, including waters near Norway, as populations decline.