The Pulse

UK and Norway to explore cooperation on AI security and computing

The UK and Norway will explore cooperation on AI computing infrastructure, security testing and defence capabilities under a joint statement of intent. The statement creates no legal obligations and makes cooperation subject to each country’s laws, policies and available resources.

AI.info Team · · fact-checked · against 3 sources ↓ · Published 12 Nov 2026

The UK and Norway will explore closer cooperation on AI computing infrastructure, security testing and defence applications under a joint statement of intent published on November 12. The statement sets out potential work on hosting national computing assets and public workloads, as well as exchanges on the capabilities and risks of advanced AI.

UK AI Minister Kanishka Narayan and Norwegian Minister for Digitalisation and Public Governance Torgeir Micaelsen met on the margins of the Atlantic Futures Forum. The document was signed in Oslo on November 12.

It expresses the participants’ intentions but creates no rights or obligations under international or domestic law.

Computing and security

Among the areas for exploration is faster cooperation on computing infrastructure and hardware integration, aimed at enabling secure and resilient commercial hosting of national computing assets and public workloads. The ministers also intend to explore the demonstration, deployment and commercial adoption of semiconductors and novel AI hardware from either country.

The statement also sets out potential closer work between UK AISI and AI Norway on sharing practices for AI security, testing and evaluation. That potential cooperation includes cybersecurity through NCSC and NSM, exchanges of knowledge about advanced AI capabilities and risks, and exploration of other practical opportunities.

The ministers identified strengths in AI, research and innovation, secure digital infrastructure and clean energy in both countries. They also cited the contribution that cooperation could make to their respective industrial policy ambitions.

Defence cooperation

A defence strand calls for exploring closer cooperation between the UK’s Taskforce RAID and Norway’s Defence Centre for Data and AI. The proposed work would identify opportunities for joint development, testing and operational adoption of AI-enabled defence capabilities.

The November statement complements existing cooperation, including the Lunna House Agreement. The defence agreement, published on August 6, supports exploring collaboration on defence technology, including AI and autonomy, through bilateral and multilateral frameworks. It also identifies continued long-term support for Ukraine, including work to enhance defence capability and innovation.

Governance and research

The ministers will also explore stronger dialogue on international AI governance, including governance of advanced AI. They intend to identify opportunities for UK and Norwegian initiatives to reinforce cooperation in multilateral forums, international standards and capacity-building.

The potential work includes exchanging experience on policies for AI research and innovation and connecting researchers, research and innovation funding agencies, and businesses. It would draw on the UK’s Industrial Strategy and Norway’s industrial policy priorities.

The ministers also intend to exchange views on AI’s convergence with quantum technologies, biotechnology and robotics, including the implications for innovation, safety, security and international governance.

Coordination between governments

The joint statement builds on the Norwegian-UK Strategic Partnership agreed by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and then-Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on December 16, 2024. Narayan and Micaelsen agreed to stay in regular contact as the countries build AI cooperation.

The UK Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and Norway’s Ministry of Digitalisation and Public Governance will coordinate the work with relevant ministries and authorities in both countries.