How Norway can become a world leader in the combination AI and cancer treatment
Tarjei Sveinsgjerd Hveem, acting head of the Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics (ICGI), co-authored an article in Dagens Medisin in February 2025, highlighting Norway's unique access to health data.
Illustration: Marian Seiergren
One of the most ambitious initiatives in the field is the NEXTMAP project, which aims to harness the potential of health data and AI for better cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. NEXTMAP will develop groundbreaking AI techniques based on cancer data, including multimodal models and generative AI, with a strong foundation in real needs in hospitals and society. The project emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and involves experts from medicine and technology, both nationally and internationally. By combining Norway's extensive health registries with advanced AI models, the project facilitates more precise and effective patient care.
The government launched the "AI billion" in the summer of 2023, aiming to strengthen research and expertise in artificial intelligence in Norway. In February 2024, the Research Council decided to use these funds to establish four to six interdisciplinary AI centers. After an initial application round in June 2024, the NEXTMAP project submitted its final application to the Research Council in January 2025. Unfortunatley, due to the strong competition for these funds, no projects within the health sector were granted funding from the "AI billion".
The ICGI continues the quest to share their experiences and contribute to strengthening Norway's position as a leading player in AI-driven cancer treatment.
Read the article in Norwegian on dagensmedisin.no, or in English on the Oslo Cancer Cluster website.