DINNOCAP holds online seminar on Artificial Intelligence in SMEs
This event was jointly organised by Aalborg University Copenhagen, Denmark (AAU) under the umbrella of the DINNOCAP project https://www.dinnocapbsr.eu/
Context and background
The countries in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) are digitally advanced. However, many SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) are still not using digital technologies. A reason for this could be a lack of awareness of the added value of an increased ICT uptake or digital transformation. In other cases, they experience challenges related to lack of access to know-how or funding, inadequate infrastructure, inefficient policy instruments, etc.
The DINNOCAP project is a collaboration between industry associations, government agencies and knowledge institutions in the Baltic Sea Region.
The project aims at sharing and implementing ideas and transnational solutions that can address the challenges and encourage an increased ICT uptake among SMEs. Among the activities carried out within the project are a series of online interactive seminars offering the opportunity to share best practice, get insight in and inspiration from approaches and solutions in neighbouring countries, extend networks and develop joint ideas for projects and proposals for funding.
Seminar content and main ideas
The DINNOCAP online seminar in November 2021 had focus on:
- What is and what can AI be used for in SMEs?
- How widespread is the use of AI in SMEs?
- What are the inspiring cases and success stories for AI in SMEs?
The seminar explored existing knowledge and practice, and sought to emphasise and give examples of why and how SMEs can use AI. An overall aim was to inspire modes of raising awareness and encourage SMEs to prepare for upcoming AI technologies.
During the past few years, the topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has risen to the top of digitalization agendas in businesses and in policymaking for increasing digitalization. Implementations of AI solutions are mostly seen in larger companies, but applications of digital technologies with AI facilities are also advancing in SMEs.
In this seminar, emphasis was on Augmented Intelligence based on Machine Learning as one of the main development trends in AI. The main idea is that AI will only partly substitute for some types of work but will to a larger extent complement and support work processes. This applies to business areas delivering knowledge services such as lawyers, real estate agents, doctors etc. and it applies to manufacturing and commerce where knowledge work is part of the processes. The competences of AI and human intelligence are not the same, and AI will primarily be used for supporting work processes and decision-making.
Presentations on the agenda (which were followed by a Q&A):
- Social and business perspectives in AI/AuI developments by Peter Plougmann, Director, Plougmann-Copenhagen
- Status and prospects of AI developments in businesses in Denmark by Frederikke Rosendal Egede Saabye, Chief Consultant, Consulting and Knowledge Services, Dansk Erhverv (Chamber of Commerce)
- Artificial Intelligence in professional services by Frans Bevort, Associate Professor, Copenhagen Business School
Contact and further information:
Knud Erik Skouby, AAU, skouby@cmi.aau.dk, or Idongesit Williams: idong@es.aau.dk