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Open to All
The event is free and open for all audiences, whether you are familiar with data science practices, or you are curious about data science. Food, snacks and soft drinks will be served.
Program
- 17:00 – Doors open, company stands, food and soft drinks
- 18:00 – Welcome and presentations
- "From Debugging to Delegating: How AI is Changing a Developer’s Day” by Kaj-Robin Weslien, Kongsberg Maritime
- “The Past, Present and Future of Agentic AI” by Vegard Flovik, DNV
- Jobs We Didn’t Have Names For (Yet)" by Alise Midtfjord Lohre, Intellectual Labs AS
- "What Makes for Successful Machine Learning Projects?" (Beyond LLM-based bots: Use cases from working life and what it takes to implement ML/AI projects that deliver real value) by Daniel Bakkelund, UiO
- 18:45 Panel Discussion
After the presentations, the panelists will be challenged by individuals representing the audience.
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Panel:
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Vegard Flovik, DNV
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Daniel Bakkelund, UiO
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Alise Midtfjord Lohre, Intellectual Labs AS
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Ian Hildebrand, Kongsberg Maritime
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- Challengers:
- Julie Natland Bj?rnstad (Bachelor’s degree, soon starting a Master’s)
- Camilla Lingj?rde (Postdoc)
Moderator: Ruth Astrid S?ter
- 19:30 – Socialising, company stands, food and soft drinks
Bios and abstracts
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
Postdoctoral Fellow in Statistics and Data Science at the University of Oslo. Holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge. Currently works on making machine learning more robust, generalisable, and fair. Passionate about ensuring that AI is developed and used 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.
Company stands
There will be a number of company stands, showcasing their work and innovations to participants. A great opportunity to increase your network.
For questions or inquiries, please contact: contact@dScience.uio.no
See images from from Data Science Day 2024
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On October 17th, 2024, Data Science Day drew over 400 participants, including students, PhD candidates, postdocs, and professionals from both the industry and public sector.
Read more and see images here.
Programme Committee 2025
- Gudmund Horn Hermansen (Chair), Department of Mathematics
- Poushali Sengupta, Department of Informatics
- Camilla Lingj?rde, Department of Mathematics
- P?l Orten, Vice President, Technology – Kongsberg Maritime, member of the dScience Partner Program Advisory Committee
- Christian Agrell, Programme Director, Digital Assurance – DNV, member of the dScience Partner Program Advisory Committee
- Morten D?hlen, Director of dScience
See photos from Data Science Day 2024
Photos: Christoffer Hals, dScience, UiO.