Reykjavik University is proud to announce that Dr Marta Kristín Lárusdóttir, Professor at the Department of Computer Science, has been awarded a significant research grant from NordForsk for her participation in the international project AI-PROCARE.

The three-year grant, totalling approximately ISK 200 million, will support a consortium of researchers from four Nordic countries: Sweden, Iceland, Denmark and Finland, making AI-PROCARE a truly Nordic endeavour. The Icelandic share amounts to around ISK 50 million, which Professor Lárusdóttir will use for leading one of the work packages and to fund a full-time postdoctoral researcher for the duration of the project.

Out of 216 applications, only 17 proposals received funding—underscoring the exceptional quality and competitiveness of the AI-PROCARE initiative. “I am absolutely thrilled about this,” says Professor Marta Lárusdóttir. “This is a unique opportunity to contribute to research that can meaningfully shape the future of AI in healthcare workplaces and extend the wellbeing of the employees.

Praise from the Evaluation Committee
The proposal received outstanding feedback from the NordForsk review panel. Highlights from the committee’s assessment include:

• “The proposal addresses a crucial topic in the responsible development of AI – procurement of AI systems in healthcare – with a solid and original project.”
• “Crystal clear presentation of an ambitious and theoretically solid proposal.”
• “This is an outstanding proposal, addressing a core issue in responsible AI development, with a super solid research plan, great expected impact, and a very good research team.”

The AI-PROCARE Project
Led by Professor Åsa Cajander at Uppsala University in Sweden, the AI-PROCARE project aims to transform how public institutions procure AI systems within the healthcare sector. Additionally, Professor Torkil Clemmensen (Copenhagen Business School, Denmark) and Assistant professor Johanna Viitanen (Aalto University, Finland) lead work packages in the project.

Instead of viewing procurement as a purely administrative or legal process, the project reconceptualises it as a sociotechnical intervention—one that fundamentally influences future work practices, professional roles and the sustainability of healthcare environments.

AI-PROCARE seeks to advance scientific understanding of responsible AI procurement by:

• Developing a new theoretical perspective on the procurement of AI systems.
• Conducting cross-national, empirical research across Nordic healthcare contexts.
• Producing validated guidelines that support sustainable, equitable and engaging workplaces.
• Aligning digital transformation efforts with the long-term sustainability of professional work.