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Excellence in Artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and software is of crucial strategic importance for Sweden. Umeå University has a key role in this as part of WASP – Sweden's single largest research investment in modern times.
Umeå University is conducting research in the key areas of the Wallenberg AI Autonomous Systems and Software Programme, WASP. Our ambitions in autonomous distributed systems, e.g. autonomous cloud services, are of particular importance. Within WASP, Umeå University also has a growing number of research groups and projects where the development of AI that is beneficial to people and society has a high priority. We are conducting cutting-edge research in responsible AI, social AI, human-AI interaction, AI for data management and data integrity, as well as explainable AI and AI for natural and formal languages.
At Umeå University, our research groups in machine learning are now contributing with their expertise to the nationwide research in WASP. Machine learning is also a focus of several research groups concentrating on mathematics for the fundamental development of machine learning. Given the central role of software aspects for autonomous systems, WASP at Umeå University is now also adding new research groups in software engineering, partially focusing on software safety.
In addition to participating in WASP's research projects, Umeå University is also involved in the planning of several of WASP's national initiatives. One example is WASP's graduate school, which involves almost 400 PhD students and in which Umeå University is involved both in the course offerings and in the graduate school's management. Umeå University also leads one of WASP's research arenas, WARA Media and Language, to support and showcase WASP's research in these areas.
Umeå University is also present in the WASP Board and Management Group with the following members:
Erik Elmroth, Professor in Computing Science and member of the WASP Executive Committee; University Representatives Group; Research Management Group - Autonomous Systems; International Management Group; and Arena Management Group.
Sara Sjöstedt de Luna, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology and member of the WASP board.
Alexandre Bartel, Professor in Computing Science and member of the WASP Research Management Group - Software.
Helena Lindgren, Professor in Computing Science and member of the WASP Research Management Group - Artificial Intelligence/MLX.
Paul Townend, Associate Professor and member of the WASP Graduate School Management Group
Follow this link, and read more about WASP, Sweden’s largest individual research program ever.
ImageWASP
Please contact the overall WASP contact person at Umeå University; Erik Elmroth, Professor at the Department of Computer Science by e-mail.
Wasp for you as a journalist
WASP, the Wallenberg AI Autonomous Distributed Systems Program, aims to strengthen long-term research in Sweden. The ambition is to recruit at least 60 researchers from abroad, an initiative that includes both promising Associate professors and distinguished professors. It also means that a number of researchers have started positions at Umeå University and they are offered attractive recruitment packages, including relevant infrastructure and funding for PhD students and postdocs, for the best possible research.
The largest research programme in Sweden
WASP is Sweden's single largest research programme of all time, with a total budget of SEK 5.5 billion. The programme was launched in 2015 by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, with the aim of advancing Swedish society and industry by creating a world-leading platform for basic research and graduate education in AI, autonomous systems and software.
World-leading research and graduate school
WASP has so far built up an extensive business through international collaborations, recruitment of more than 40 world-leading researchers in key areas and WASP Graduate School, with nearly 400 PhD students and several research arenas for collaboration with many of Sweden's largest industries.
Five universities in Sweden
In additional to collaboration with industry and business, the emphasis is on basic research. The programme includes the universities of Chalmers University of Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Linköping University, Lund University and Umeå University, as well as a number of research groups at other universities.
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Professor Kary Främling can explain results, actions or recommendations made by the majority of AI systems.
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Provides an overview and understanding of computer security risks and what can be done to minimise damage.
WASP is Sweden’s most extensive research program ever. The aim is to start at least 60 new research groups in Sweden by attracting outstanding younger researchers as well as established experts and sharp PhD students.
To follow open calls and positions in WASP, please go to WASP web page.
Umeå University has a key role in WASP, Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program, by far the largest individual research program in Sweden. We also coordinate WASP-HS, Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program - Humanities and Society. Follow these links to read more about WASP and WASP-HS at Umeå University.
