Cybercriminals and malicious actors are increasingly using AI to spread disinformation at scale – for example, by generating fake news articles and emails, or manipulating social media posts that deceive both people and systems.

AI:DEFENCE combines advanced AI technologies (such as Natural Language Processing) with cutting-edge cybersecurity research to develop intelligent systems that can detect and prevent such threats. For instance, imagine an AI model that identifies a phishing email by analyzing both its content and context.

The project both aims to defend against attacks and ensure that AI systems themselves remain secure – e.g. by protecting LLMs from being hijacked or misused by malicious actors in societal applications, such as chat bots. This is a vital step toward building a safe and secure digital society. 

Professor Johannes Bjerva

Tenure track adjunkt Qiongxiu (‘Jane’) Li

Jens Myrup Pedersen

TBA

Psychopathology is on the rise among young people, and identity disturbance is one of the key early markers of its development.

AI:MIND aims to develop conversational AI that supports young people in expressing, structuring, and reflecting on their thoughts, feelings, and experiences—ultimately helping them gain a clearer sense of who they are. The system will also be designed to recognize early signs of identity-related distress, such as uncertainty about one’s values.

The goal is to provide early, preventive, and easily accessible support for young people, while also assisting professionals in identifying and engaging effectively with those in need.

Lektor Majse Lind

Professor Niels van Berkel

Thomas Dyhre Nielsen

TBA

Animals and plants interact in complex networks performing key ecological functions—such as seed dispersal or pollination of plants. Climate change and habitat loss threaten these interactions.

AI:EcoNet uses artificial intelligence to analyze and predict how such ecological networks evolve over time. For instance, AI can model what might happen to an ecosystem if key species disappears.

By combining big data and advanced models, this project supports better decisions in nature conservation and biodiversity protection.

Lektor Michael Ørsted

Adjunkt Abdulkadir Celikkanat

Mads Albertsen

TBA

AI is increasingly being used in expert fields like medicine and architecture, but real-world integration is often difficult.

AI:Xpertise investigates how to develop AI solutions that truly support expert workflows. For example, one AI model helps architects generate design ideas, while another assists doctors during pre-surgery assessments. At the same time, the project studies how workplaces adapt to using AI.

The aim is to find what technical and organizational conditions are needed for AI to be useful and trusted in expert settings.

Lektor Andreas Møgelmose,

Lektor Kasper Trolle Elmholt

Thomas B. Moeslund

TBA

Robots are increasingly used in industry and healthcare but making them work naturally with humans is still a challenge.

AI:Cybernetics develops a new kind of control system, where AI combines human signals (like muscle activity) with awareness of the environment (such as camera input). Imagine a robotic, prosthetic hand that automatically adjusts to the object you want to grab—without you needing to consciously control every movement. The same principle applies to robot arms helping with assembly tasks.

The goal is intuitive and efficient teamwork between people and robots.

Lektor Jakob Lund Dideriksen

Lektor Dimitris Chrysostomou

Strahinja Dosen

TBA

Through dedicated strategic funding, AI:X Labs provides a structured environment where innovative projects can thrive. Lab directors from different departments bring varied expertise to the table, ensuring that AI is both developed at its core and used creatively to address specific domain problems. The four PhD students in each lab form the backbone of daily research activity, building their careers while contributing fresh insights to the field.

Whether you are passionate about shaping AI theory or applying cutting-edge AI tools to societal challenges, AI:X Labs offers a platform to make a difference. A virtual structure means anyone across the university can participate, uniting fields and empowering breakthrough discoveries.

If you want to push boundaries, spark collaboration, and help shape Aalborg University’s path as a global AI leader, AI:X Labs is where you need to be.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping the society of the future with new opportunities and dilemmas, and it is natural that we as a university take a leadership role in this area. At AAU, we are a leader in AI research, supported by interdisciplinary initiatives such as "AI for the People".

AI is one of the most groundbreaking technologies of our time. By investing heavily in AI research, AAU helps drive innovation and technological development, which can lead to new discoveries and solutions to complex problems. AI can help tackle some of the biggest societal challenges we face today, for example in health and climate.

In October 2024, The Executive Management decided, as part of the AAU strategy Knowledge for the World, to prioritized AI as a research goal in 2025 and beyond. AAU will establish nine AI:X Labs: five AI:X Labs are starting in 2025 and four AI:X Labs will start in 2026.