This year, the AI Award from the Danish Industry Foundation, worth DKK 200,000, goes to OxyGuard International.
Two years ago, the company participated in one of AI Denmark’s programmes aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises, exploring the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence.
The programme took place at DTU Compute, and according to OxyGuard International, the new knowledge shifted AI from being a side project to becoming a key driver of innovation.
AI technology reduces feed consumption by 20 per cent
OxyGuard International develops monitoring equipment for the aquaculture industry.
By applying AI-driven technology, the company has reduced feed consumption in fish farming by around 20 per cent.
The solution uses underwater microphones to record the sounds of fish feeding. These sounds are processed and transformed into images, which are analysed using AI computer vision techniques to determine when the fish are satiated. This enables farmers to stop feeding at the right time, avoiding waste and improving water quality.
OxyGuard International demonstrates that artificial intelligence is no longer a niche tool but a strategic resource that opens new growth opportunities while imposing stricter demands for adaptation and competitiveness.
Competence boost vital for EU competitiveness
In 2024, the European Commission published the so-called Draghi Report on Europe’s competitiveness, concluding that EU countries were lagging behind the United States and China. The report was accompanied by a series of recommendations to EU member states, including strengthening innovation capacity in SMEs.
Although DTU Compute did not develop the AI-based technology itself, the skills upgrade was crucial for enabling subsequent innovation.
DTU Compute aims to be among the world’s leading research organisations in digitalisation and to take technological leadership in innovation and entrepreneurship by supporting businesses and the public sector in their digital transformation. This includes skills development programmes such as the one meant for OxyGuard International.
The programme was delivered by DTU Compute’s section for innovation and its interdisciplinary unit dedicated to supporting other DTU departments and external partners within software, statistics and data analysis: DTU Data Analysis in 2023 with Kristoffer Vinther Olesen and Camilla Thyregod.
Necessary to be part of the AI agenda
At DTU Compute, Head of Department and Professor Jan Madsen calls OxyGuard International 'a fantastic story that aligns perfectly with the vision that all companies should be on board', he says:
“Large, well-established companies have their own development departments for artificial intelligence. But small and medium-sized enterprises form a major part of our foundation in Denmark, and if they are to maintain their niches and deliver top quality in the future, they must also be part of the AI agenda.”
“That’s why it’s fantastic that, through the AI Denmark project, we can support smaller companies in their development – as in the case of OxyGuard International – in ways that strengthen innovation, improve the bottom line, and contribute to a production method that is more climate-friendly.”
Collaboration between research and industry is key
This year, DTU Compute and OxyGuard International have strengthened their collaboration by hiring an industrial PhD student who works both within the company and in a research section at DTU Compute.
Collaboration between research and industry is a decisive prerequisite for innovation, says Marianne Thellersen, DTU Senior Vice President – Innovation and Entrepreneurship:
“At DTU, we see it as a core mission to translate research into solutions that make a real difference to society. Here, collaboration with companies is essential to support innovation, digitalisation and artificial intelligence in business. Together with small and medium-sized enterprises, we can ensure that new knowledge and technology are put into practice – and the potential of AI for SMEs is significant.”
In addition to OxyGuard, two other SMEs were in the running for the AI Award: H. Daugaard and BrainCapture, a company based on research from DTU Compute. The companies have worked on optimising transport and diagnosing epilepsy in developing countries, respectively.
