New national centre to strengthen responsible use of artificial intelligence

Developing artificial intelligence is not business as usual - it demands proactive collaboration among researchers, decision-makers, and businesses. This is exactly the kind of partnership the Danish government is fostering with its new artificial intelligence initiative."

The National Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Society (CAISA) will unite Denmark's leading AI researchers to explore the best ways to develop and govern artificial intelligence within a democratic society like Denmark.

‘At CAISA, we are committed to researching and providing guidance on how best to navigate this rapid development. This calls for all hands—and minds—on deck, which is why we are launching a series of initiatives to learn from real-world experiences, build on the latest research, and collaborate with ongoing efforts," says Professor Rebecca Adler-Nissen, who will lead the center.

AI must benefit society

CAISA has the potential to become "AI’s version of Denmark’s Health Security Agency," as its leading researchers describe it.

"We are a national consortium working in collaboration with the Pioneer Centre for Artificial Intelligence. Our approach is interdisciplinary because understanding AI requires more than just technical expertise—it also demands insight into its human and societal impact. We must address both aspects simultaneously," emphasizes CAISA's Deputy Director, Thomas B. Moeslund from Aalborg University.

The centre’s ambition is to unite researchers, sister initiatives, and strong research environments across Denmark and beyond. Equally important is fostering collaboration with and providing guidance to both the public and private sectors.

"By working together, we can avoid reinventing the wheel and instead build something greater. Through research and collaboration, we will explore where AI can provide the greatest benefits—and where caution is needed," says Rebecca Adler-Nissen.

Aiming for the moon

CAISA’s ambitions extend beyond Denmark—it aims to shape the future of AI in Europe.

"That’s why we are launching long-term research projects, or 'moonshots,' to explore new pathways to digital sovereignty and the development of more democratic and responsible AI," says Adler-Nissen.

The centre will also collaborate with leading international researchers. But because CAISA is based in Denmark - a country known for its strong traditions of community and trust—it has a unique opportunity to demonstrate how AI solutions can both create value and strengthen a society’s cohesion.

"If we succeed, Denmark won’t just ensure better AI deployment within its own borders—we could also inspire the world to take a smarter, more responsible approach," Adler-Nissen predicts.

CAISA officially opens on May 9. Led by the University of Copenhagen and Aalborg University, the centre will also include researchers from Aarhus University, DTU, and the IT University. It will work closely with companies, authorities, organizations, and researchers both in Denmark and internationally.

CAISA is funded for the first three years with DKK 20 million from the digitalisation funds and DKK 30 million from the research reserve.

Read more about the vision for the centre and AI in this feature article (published in Politiken on 24 March).