Første KI-konferanse for havbruk i gang
Norges første konferanse om kunstig intelligens i havbruksnæringen går av stabelen onsdag, og programmet lover innsikt i hvordan KI allerede nå endrer sjømatindustrien.
Publisert
Sist oppdatert
The conference, which takes place on Wednesday at Clarion Bergen Airport, is organized by AqKva and marks the first dedicated AI conference in Norway with a specific focus on aquaculture.
Conference host and member of the program committee, Pål Herstad, believes the timing for such a gathering is absolutely right:
– AI is transforming work processes in almost every industry vertical, and aquaculture is no exception. In many of the industry's most important challenges, artificial intelligence will be part of the solution, and in some areas already the only solution.
Herstad has extensive experience in technology and digital solutions in the aquaculture industry, which he believes has traditionally been ten to twenty years behind other industries when it comes to digitalization and data-driven decisions.
– It has made it difficult to make major improvements in the areas we are measured in, because we have not had enough good data to make the right analyses and decisions, and implement changes on a large scale. Now we are in the process of catching up with this lead – largely thanks to better data and better tools. Artificial intelligence will accelerate this development, and no one should sit on the sidelines here, he says.
Challenging the breeders
For the first aquaculture conference to put AI at the center, the organizers have three main goals.
– First and foremost, we want to show what today's suppliers of AI solutions can actually offer, and where the technology is headed.
In addition, they want to give the public insight into how artificial intelligence will affect the entire value chain – from genetics to customer.
– We will also challenge the industry to share experiences and usefulness from their own projects. We have received a very positive response here – all the farmers we have asked have agreed.
From skepticism to action
Within the fish farming industry, there are major differences in how companies relate to artificial intelligence and the willingness to implement it.
– An interesting observation in recent years is that large companies, such as Lerøy and Mowi, are placing themselves at the forefront of digitalization of processes and equipment to a much greater extent than before. Previously, it was often a handful of smaller companies that constituted a kind of digital spearhead, says Herstad.
The conference moderator believes that it is related to the fact that large companies have spent time building a digital infrastructure that allows for structured data collection, and that they have developed digital strategies that are now starting to yield results.
– Until now, digitalization of the value chain in a fish farming company has not necessarily been visible on bottom lines, in margins or biological performance. But that is going to change now; if you have done the digital groundwork, AI will make you more efficient and result in better biological and financial results than your neighbors who have so far been sitting on the fence.
Very varied program
The conference program is broad, covering areas such as technology, law and management. The organizers have been strict in ensuring that breeders and suppliers talk about real results they have achieved together with active customers.
– Everyone knows that sharing experiences is what brings us forward. The program covers everything from AI in land-based or sea-based production to digital infrastructure, legal considerations and public administration.
Herstad is convinced that everyone who attends the conference will go home with new knowledge.
“I'll be sitting with my eyes on stalks all day long. I'd trade an office day for a conference on digital innovation in our industry at any time,” he says with a smile.
Gathers knowledge and experience
CEO of AqKva, Hans Runshaug, thanked Herstad for acting as a committed moderator and participant in the program committee.
– We are very proud of the program. Anyone who is "slightly" interested in aquaculture on land and at sea will find a lot of exciting things here. Perhaps never before has so much current knowledge and experience for the aquaculture of the future been gathered in such a concentrated form, claims Runshaug.
– The program committee has consisted of people from Lerøy, Google Norway, AquaCloud, SopraSteria, Pål Herstad as mentioned, as well as those of us who work at AqKva. We thank you for your efforts and hope for many curious listeners at the conference on June 4th.
