Singularity University’s Global Impact Competition comes to Norway

Iris.AI founder Anita Schjøll Brede has brought Singularity University’s Global Impact Competition to Norway in 2016, guaranteeing the winner a spot at Singularity University’s Global Solutions Program at NASA Ames Research Park.

The competition aims to promote ideas that will positively impact the lives a billion people, and help Norway move from oil into innovation and technology.

Singularity University was founded by futurist Ray Kurzweil and serial entrepreneur Peter Diamandis in 2009, with the goal of solving the greatest challenges facing humanity with technology. From thousands of applicants, Global Solutions Program chooses 80 participants annually from various disciplines.

The winner of the Oslo competition will receive a seat at the 10-week long think tank and accelerator, and five finalists will be chosen to go the Singularity University bootcamp in Copenhagen in March.

Charity isn’t the only way to make a difference

Anita Schjøll Brede, serial entrepreneur and current founder of Iris.AI, which launched February 15th.  Iris.AI is an artificial intelligence that will enable users to easily find scientific research, even if they don’t know the precise jargon or search terms used within the field.

Anita is a graduate of Singularity University herself, and found the experience so inspiring she made it a goal to help other Norwegians join the program.

“We need to move past the idea that the only way to help people is through charity. Solving global challenges actually opens an endless number of business opportunities. This way of thinking is part of a growing trend in Silicon Valley, where entrepreneurs and investors are now looking for new ventures at the intersection of emerging technologies and global problems. Singularity University’s Global Solutions program gives very good skills to develop these solutions,” she explains in a press release.

“On a more personal note, my time at Singularity University was the craziest adventure I’ve ever been on. It has not only opened an incredible amount of new doors and empowered me to start my newest project, Iris AI (an artificial intelligence which will read and understand all of the world’s research) – but it has flipped my world view upside down. I would love to see more Norwegians have the same experience,” she continues.

The entry period is open until March 2nd.  Applicants may apply here.