“Congratulations on the prize! How did you react when you got the news?”
“I felt a mix of joy, pride, and gratitude. It means a lot to me that the university sees value in research aimed at real human problems. I also thought about the people who supported me since I moved to Norway—this recognition is as much about them as it is about me.”
Bineeth Kuriakose conducts research on human-centered AI, meaning AI that can improve welfare and quality of life for people.
According to the jury at OsloMet, he demonstrates “methodological depth, he is internationally oriented, and his research has strong social relevance (…). He builds bridges between advanced technology development and key areas of application within health, education, and journalism.”
“Tell us about your work!”
“My work revolves around one question: How can AI genuinely help people?
Right now, I’m working on how AI can support investigative journalists—especially in verifying information, understanding data trails, and uncovering hidden patterns.
My PhD focused on an AI-based navigation assistant to help people with visual impairments.”
“What drives your engagement?”
“I have always wanted technology to help people. It matters to me that what I do has practical value and contributes to society.”
“Who are you, aside from work?”
“I’m from Kerala, in the south of India. My family now lives spread across four continents, and two of my siblings moved before I did. Therefore, I learned early that there are different ways to live. I arrived in Oslo for my PhD on a snowy February night a few years back. It was my first time ever seeing snow—with two big suitcases and two backpacks. I remember wondering: Is this what my new life will be like? Am I ready for this?”
“What happened?”
“I tried to adapt quickly—both to the cold and to the culture. I made efforts to talk to people at work and build connections. Those small conversations helped a lot. Over time, the worries faded. Today, I have good friends, supportive colleagues, and I feel rooted here. That transition—from newcomer to someone who belongs—has been very meaningful.”
“What are you most proud of?”
“I’m most proud that I’ve turned my journey—coming to Norway alone, adapting to a new culture, and rebuilding everything from scratch—into research that genuinely helps others. My work stays rooted in real human needs, not just technology for the sake of innovation. It took a lot of resilience and persistence to get here, and I’m grateful that the effort has paid off—both in my professional life and personally, where I’ve slowly built stability and was finally able to buy my own apartment in Norway.”
AI tools should be designed around people, not the other way around.– Bineeth Kuriakose
“Which advice would you give to others?”
“My advice is for those who come to Norway from outside Europe, like me:
Try to build both social and professional networks. Get to know as many people as you can and participate in activities. And find a hobby—whether it’s skiing, hiking, music, or dance. And learn Norwegian early! I really wish I had invested more time in it when I first arrived.”
“What’s next for you?”
“I hope to continue building my academic career and work toward a full faculty position. I also plan to expand my research on human-centered AI and apply for external funding to scale the projects I’ve started at OsloMet. My goal is to create tools that make a real difference in people’s lives, working closely with strong collaborators in Norway and internationally.”
