A Norwegian foreign policy for artificial intelligence
Why and how Norway should position itself in a new security policy reality.
AI-generated illustration from Gemini.
Main moments
Executive summary
In just a few years, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a key power factor in international politics. Computing power, data centers, and models are now discussed in the same breath as energy and defense. Technology companies are exerting geopolitical influence and managing critical infrastructure.
Norway needs an active foreign policy on AI to manage these developments. This is the clear conclusion from the situational analysis in this report, which is based on roundtable discussions with Norwegian experts organized by Langsikt in collaboration with NUPI.
The problem is a lack of governance and expertise. The Ministry of Digitalization and Public Governance (DFD) owns technology and AI policy nationally, but lacks an international mandate. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has the mandate, but has few people working exclusively on technology. AI-related issues with an international dimension exist in most ministries, but there is a lack of coordination and resources to follow the field systematically. To solve this, AI must become a central priority for the government cabinet as a whole.
There is no shortage of good proposals. Norway should establish a national AI safety body, develop a comprehensive international technology strategy, strengthen the EU AI Office, and work toward a permanent secretariat for the AI summit series. These are four of the eleven proposals we present in this report.
Norway must act now. The government must urgently make decisions that strengthen Norwegian foreign policy in the field of AI. Technological development is largely international. However, we can take national measures to gain better control.
Download to read the full report (only in Norwegian).
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