In this episode, we will discuss A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) and uncover the current developments and trends related to this encroaching phenomenon. Are we facing a future where we will all succumb to ChatGPT and our critical thinking will be replaced by sporadically clever algorithms, thus leading to an inevitable downfall for academia? Should we be worried about the increased introduction of A.I. into our everyday lives, where human accountability is being replaced by unaccountable software and bots? And most importantly: How is the EU positioning itself towards A.I. and how does it fare against global tech giants such as China and the USA? All of these issues will be discussed in today’s episode.

We are joined by Stefan Schmager, PhD Research Fellow in Information Systems at the University of Agder, and by Frans af Malmborg, PhD Research Fellow in Political Science and Management at the University of Agder.

In this episode, we will turn our attention towards the Baltic Sea and the transnational cooperation within the region. Throughout history, the Baltic Sea has served as a naval border between rising and falling regional powers. While this region has served a theatre of conflict, it has also in more peaceful times brought prosperity and promoted democratic values and regional integration and cooperation.

We are joined by Professor Stefan Gänzle, Head of Department and Professor in Political Science and Management at the University of Agder, and by Bernd Hemingway, Deputy Director General of the permanent Secretariat of the Council of the Baltic Sea States.

This podcast episode was recorded prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The questions and answers do not take into account the critical shift that this action has had on the cooperation between the different actors within the region.

In this episode, we will look further into the interplay between science and politics and how this has gained an increasing role within the world of diplomacy. The permeation of “Science Diplomacy” into the political scene can help further science and international cooperation but also necessitates a departure from its usual scientific setting into the (at times) idealistic political arena in order to address pressing political issues.

We are joined by Professor Thomas Henökl, Associate Professor in Public Policy at the University of Agder, and by Professor Mitchell Young, Assistant Professor in the Department of European Studies at the Faculty of Social Sciences of Charles University.

In this episode, we will look into the dynamic relationship between Norway and the European Union. Despite not being a member state, Norway is closely integrated with its European neighbours – through its historical, economic, and political ties and everyday interaction.

We are joined by Professor Jarle Trondal, Professor in Public Administration at the University in Agder and at the ARENA Centre for European Studies at Oslo University, and by Dr. Tarvo Kungla who serves as the Deputy Head of the Western Europe Division at the European External Action Service (EEAS).