The applications come from projects that want to explore highly topical topics on the AI front, such as chatbots, biometrics and marketing

“The projects that have applied look very interesting, so I have no doubt that we will have another round of exciting exploration in the sandbox,” says sandbox programme manager Hallstein Husand.

When the deadline expired on 1 February, there were six applications in the sandbox’s inbox. The applicants include both public and private organisations, large and small. Of these, two projects will be selected for the sandbox’s fourth round.

“We have not advertised as actively in the run-up to the application deadline as in previous rounds. This is because the sandbox is in a restructuring phase, where we will be organised as a permanent part of the Norwegian Data Protection Authority, and will therefore run fewer projects in this fourth round,” says sandbox programme manager Hallstein Husand.

Start-up in the spring

A thorough admission process will now be carried out, where all applicants will be invited to an interview. An external reference group will also provide input on which projects may have good societal benefit or transfer value to other organisations. In mid-March, we will be able to announce which projects have been selected. Those selected must be able to start work during the spring.

Fewer, but sharper

After four application rounds in two years, and ten completed projects, it has perhaps become clearer to the KI environment what the sandbox is suitable for and what is not.

“- “We may see a trend that there are fewer “easy” applications, those who want help-with-everything-with- GDPR -and-such. Now most of the applications have pointed problems with transfer value to others”, says Husand.

“Having said that, we hope all types of actors will continue to make contact. Both because it gives us a pointer to where the shoe is pressing out there, and because we can sometimes discover pointed and exciting issues that the applicant himself has not been able to highlight.”

https://www.datatilsynet.no/aktuelt/aktuelle-nyheter-2023/seks-sokte-pa-sandkassa