Skip to main content ITU
ITU
  • Dk
  • Vacancies
  • Press
  • ITU Alumni
  • News
  • Events
  • Contact
  • About ITU
  • Dansk
  • About ITU
x
  • Programmes
    • BSc Programmes
      • BSc in Global Business Informatics
      • BSc in Digital Design and Interactive Technologies
      • BSc in Software Development
      • BSc in Data Science
      • Applying for a BSc Programme
      MSc Programmes
      • MSc in Data Science
      • MSc in Digital Innovation & Management
      • MSc in Digital Design and Interactive Technologies
      • MSc in Computer Science
      • MSc in Software Design
      • MSc in Games
      • Applying for an MSc Programme
      Student Life
      • Meet some of our international students
      • Women in tech
      • Student Organisations at ITU
      • Labs for students
      • Practical Information for International Students
      • Study Start
      • Study and Career Guidance
      Guest Students
      • Who can be a Guest Student
      • ITU Summer University
      • Exchange Student
        • Become an exchange student at ITU
  • Professional Education
    • Master in IT
      • Master in IT Management
      Single Subjects
      • About single subjects
      Contact
      • Contact us here
  • Research
    • Departments
      • Business IT Department
      • Computer Science Department
      • Digital Design Department
      • Research Groups and Labs
        • Research Groups
        • Labs
      Research Centres
      • Centre for Computer Games Research
      • Center for Computing Education Research
      • Centre for Digital Welfare
      • Centre for Information Security and Trust
      • European Blockchain Centre
      • Research Centre for Government IT
      • Research Ethics and Integrity
        • Good Scientific Practice
      Selected Research Themes
      • Artificial intelligence
      • Big Data
      • Computer games
      • Blockchain
      • Digitalization
      • IT security
      • Find a Researcher
        • Faculty Search
      PhD Programme
      • About the PhD Programme
      • Available PhD Positions
      • PhD Courses
      • PhD Defences
      • Technical Reports
        • Technical Reports
  • Collaboration
    • Collaboration with students
      • Project collaboration
      • Project Market
      • Student worker
      • Project postings
      • Job and Project bank
      • Portraits of ITU graduates
      Employer Branding
      • IT Match Making
      • Hiring an ITU student or graduate
      • Make a post in the job bank
      Research collaboration
      • Licensing Opportunities
      • Open Entrepreneurship
      • Research collaboration
      • Industrial PhD
        • Hire an Industrial PhD
      Innovation and entrepreneurship
      • ITU Business Development
      • ITU Startup programme
      • Startup stories
  • Programmes
    • Homepage: Programmes
    • BSc Programmes
    • MSc Programmes
    • Student Life
    • Guest Students
    • Exchange students
  • Professional Education
    • Homepage: Professional Education
    • Master in IT
    • Single subjects
    • Contact
  • Research
    • Homepage: Research
    • Research Departments
    • Research Ethics and Integrity
    • Good Scientific Practice
    • Research Groups and Centers
    • Labs
    • Technical Reports
    • PhD Programme
    • Center for Digital Welfare
  • Collaboration
    • Homepage: Collaboration
    • Employer Branding
    • Collaboration with students
    • Research collaboration
    • Industrial PhD
    • Innovation and entrepreneurship
    • ITU Business Development
  • Shortcuts
    • Vacancies
    • Press
    • ITU Alumni
    • News
    • Events
    • Contact
    • About ITU
  • Dansk
Young ITU researcher receives EliteForsk travel grant for teaching computers to think strategically
ITU  /  Press  /  News from ITU  /  Young ITU researcher receives EliteForsk travel grant for teaching computers to think strategically

Young ITU researcher receives EliteForsk travel grant for teaching computers to think strategically

Niels Justesen is awarded a travel grant of DKK 200,000, and plans to travel to both New York and France, to work with some of the leading researchers in computer games and robots.

Digital Design DepartmentResearchartificial intelligencecomputer gamesawards

Written March 1, 2018 10:23 AM

Thursday, 1 March, Ph.D. student at the IT University, Niels Justesen, will receive a travel grant of DKK 200,000 from EliteForsk, at an award ceremony in the Copenhagen Opera House. His project investigates how you can develop self-learning algorithms that can learn to play complicated strategic computer games, such as StarCraft.

»

Naturally, I am extremely pleased that I have been awarded an EliteForsk travel grant. Both because it is a pat on the back for the work I have already done, but also because it adds motivation, moving forward.

«
“Naturally, I am extremely pleased that I have been awarded an EliteForsk travel grant. Both because it is a pat on the back for the work I have already done, but also because it adds motivation, moving forward,” says Niels Justesen.

Evolutionary algorithms adapt to human actions
Besides ensuring his attendance at a number of international conferences concerning artificial intelligence, Niels Justesen will also use the grant to finance two journeys abroad: a stay in New York, in March, where he will work with a Game Innovation Lab, and a trip to France in the autumn, where he will study how robots that are able to adapt themselves to new environments might combine with the methods used in his own project.

Algorithms already exist, which can learn to master arcade games, by letting the computer play against itself. Part of the self-learning consists of the computer being able to adapt its moves, based on whether previous moves have yielded good or bad results in the game. Yet in complicated games such as StarCraft, a combination of various moves is sometimes needed before an effect is seen – a challenge, which might be solved by making the algorithms less targeted, and more curious to explore the game. Niels Justesen has, for instance, developed evolutionary algorithms, which can plan a combination of moves within the game, and at the same time continuously adapt their strategy based on the moves of the opponent.

The many possibilities, and the uncertainty surrounding the opponent’s moves, makes it difficult for an algorithm to learn the entirety of a game such as StarCraft by, for example, letting the computer play against itself. Instead, one of Niels Justesen’s approaches has been to make the computer imitate real players’ actions, based on a dataset that shows how other players have played in almost 800,000 different game situations. Afterwards, the computer can recreate overall game strategies.

Significance outside the game world
On the face of it, a Ph.D. project about a specific computer game might seem quite specialised, and without any great significance or interest to anyone who does not play the game. Yet it is not unheard of for algorithms originally developed for playing in games to find a use for something very different – such as lowering the power consumption of Google’s data centres. Both Facebook and the Google-owned company DeepMind are interested in the challenges presented by StarCraft. For instance, Facebook has recently won a big artificial intelligence competition, in which computer programs play against each other in StarCraft.

It is clear, in any event, that a future solution of the StarCraft issue will have significance outside of the game world, and will most likely be a result of a cooperation between the researchers and the large companies, which can combine the different aspects that each of them has explored.

“Solving StarCraft would be a milestone a bit like the moon landing. You may not get that much out of being on the moon, but the technology you have developed in the process can be used in many other areas,” says Niels Justesen.

About Niels Justesen
  • Has a Bachelor’s degree in Software Development and a Master’s in Games Technology from ITU
  • Member of Center for Computer Games Research and Robotics, Evolution, and Art Lab
  • One of this year’s recipients of an EliteForsk travel grant for talented young researchers, awarded by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science

News

New research project at ITU: How can we make digitalization of the public sector a citizen driven project?

New research project at ITU: How can we make digitalization of the public sector a citizen driven project?

April 16, 2021

The lack of user participation in the digitalization of the public sector in the Nordic countries blocks a truly successful digital transformation. The aim of the new research project CAPE is to investigate how to increase user involvement in the development of public e-services.

New IT University cofounded pioneer centre to bolster Danish artificial intelligence research

New IT University cofounded pioneer centre to bolster Danish artificial intelligence research

April 9, 2021

The pioneer centre, established by the IT University and four other Danish universities, has received DKK 352,4 million in funding to conduct artificial intelligence research focussed on social issues, design, and ethics.

Christina Hvid has been appointed new member of the Board of ITU

Christina Hvid has been appointed new member of the Board of ITU

March 19, 2021

The IT University appointment committee has appointed Christina Hvid, CEO of Molio, as new member of the Board of Directors from April 1, 2021.

Profile of professor Dag Svanæs: ”We’re technological by nature”

Profile of professor Dag Svanæs: ”We’re technological by nature”

March 17, 2021

In his homeland Norway, the professor at the Digital Design Department, Dag Svanæs, is known for wearing a tail. On Thursday March 25 he will hold his inaugural lecture about the integration of people and technology.

Public digitalisation: Citizens' need for informal IT support will be studied in new research project

Public digitalisation: Citizens' need for informal IT support will be studied in new research project

March 8, 2021

As a part of the digitalisation of the public sector, citizens are required to handle more tasks themselves in the contact with governmental institutions and authorities. This is not equally easy for everybody and many people need help. But where can they find that support? A new research project at the IT University of Copenhagen’s Center for Digital Welfare is going to investigate informal welfare work in the digitized state.

Profile of new professor: bridge-builder who serves the climate

Profile of new professor: bridge-builder who serves the climate

March 3, 2021

Steffen Dalsgaard has been appointed a professor at the Department for Business IT at the IT University of Copenhagen and has, among other things, the ambition to generate and disseminate knowledge of how technological climate initiatives work.

ITU to coordinate research project on the use of digital police tools

ITU to coordinate research project on the use of digital police tools

February 9, 2021

Five European universities, a research centre and a trade union for IT professionals have launched a three-year research project on the consequences of the police's increasing use of big data, face recognition, mass surveillance and predictive analytics.

ITU researcher granted to investigate how to verify that our private data really is private

ITU researcher granted to investigate how to verify that our private data really is private

February 5, 2021

When our data are successfully kept private, it becomes a challenge to investigate data misuse. Independent Research Fund Denmark has awarded Associate Professor at the IT University of Copenhagen, Bernardo David, a Sapere Aude grant to find out how to verify that our sensitive data is not misused while keeping them private.

The Danish Data Protection Agency: IT University of Copenhagen has acted correctly in relation to the use of ProctorExam

The Danish Data Protection Agency: IT University of Copenhagen has acted correctly in relation to the use of ProctorExam

February 4, 2021

In the spring 2020 the ITU made use of the programme ProctorExam, which is a monitoring tool used for monitoring written home exams. In connection with this, The Danish Data Protection Agency decided to examine whether the ITU had complied with the Data Protection Regulation rules when using ProctorExam. The Danish Data Protection Agency has now made its decision in this matter and has concluded that the ITU’s processing of personal data and the use of ProctorExam have taken place in accordance with the rules on data protection.

ITU recruits two international researcher profiles with Start Package from Novo Nordisk Foundation

ITU recruits two international researcher profiles with Start Package from Novo Nordisk Foundation

January 27, 2021

Two uniquely talented, international researchers will be moving to Denmark to continue their careers at the IT University of Copenhagen. The recruitments are supported by Novo Nordisk Foundation's new Start Package grant programme.

Roberta Sinatra awarded a Velux Foundation grant to fight discriminatory algorithms

Roberta Sinatra awarded a Velux Foundation grant to fight discriminatory algorithms

January 25, 2021

Algorithms used for ranking publications and evaluating researchers on the basis of their citations are far from fair. The Velux Foundation has awarded associate professor, Roberta Sinatra, the Young Investigator grant to pursue her ambition of creating the foundation for better algorithms and metrics.

ITU ESPRESSO: What lessons can the global tech hubs pass on to Danish businesses?

ITU ESPRESSO: What lessons can the global tech hubs pass on to Danish businesses?

January 21, 2021

Tune in for another insightful coffee break with ITU ESPRESSO: On Tuesday 26 January, we will be presenting another live streamed talk and welcome Associate Professor, Lars Rune Christensen as guest speaker. The talk will focus on the lessons that the global tech hubs can offer Danish companies.

ITU researcher granted twice to develop sustainable software

ITU researcher granted twice to develop sustainable software

January 18, 2021

Associate professor at the IT University of Copenhagen Pinar Tözün has been awarded with two grants for her research in solutions for sustainable growth in data science.

New report: Cybersecurity is underprioritized in Danish companies

New report: Cybersecurity is underprioritized in Danish companies

January 12, 2021

Danish companies consider cybersecurity important, but at the same time underprioritize it, shows a new report by researchers at the IT University of Copenhagen and University of Southern Denmark. Part of the explanation is that senior managers have little knowledge about the cybersecurity threats, say the researchers behind the report.

ITU's "Blockchain Professor" gets international top rankings

ITU's "Blockchain Professor" gets international top rankings

December 22, 2020

According to two international rankings, Professor Roman Beck is among the most important researchers in his field.

Notification of security breach

Notification of security breach

December 16, 2020

A file containing personal information about censors and a number of employees has been accessible on one of ITU's internal network drives. The security breach has been reported to the Danish Data Protection Agency, and the persons affected have been notified.

Study: Female researchers rival men in productivity – but have shorter careers

Study: Female researchers rival men in productivity – but have shorter careers

November 30, 2020

A comprehensive study of the careers of 1.5 million researchers shows that women and men on average produce the same number of scientific articles annually, but that women tend to leave their research careers earlier. According to ITU researcher Roberta Sinatra, co-author of the study, the study should inspire decision-makers to take a closer look at the reasons why women leave academia.

The IT University plays a vital role in the newly established National Centre for Research in Digital Technologies

The IT University plays a vital role in the newly established National Centre for Research in Digital Technologies

November 26, 2020

The Innovation Fund Denmark has granted DKK 100 million for the establishment of a national research centre in digital technologies, led by a consortium of seven Danish universities and the Alexandra Institute.

An insightful coffee break: ITU launches a line of talks on digital transformation

An insightful coffee break: ITU launches a line of talks on digital transformation

November 12, 2020

In a new series of live streamed talks, the IT University will present new perspectives on IT to professionals working with digitalisation and transformation. Under the headline ITU ESPRESSO, the series will go off as a line of concentrated coffee breaks. These talks will keep you abreast and expand your knowledge of what is on the future-facing agenda of digitalisation.

ITU launches action plan for gender diversity among employees

ITU launches action plan for gender diversity among employees

November 12, 2020

With a new action plan, the IT University of Copenhagen will work systematically and strategically to promote gender diversity by ensuring equal opportunities for all employees.

Contact us

Phone
+45 7218 5000
E-mail
itu@itu.dk

All contact information

Web Accessibility Statement

Find us

IT University of Copenhagen
Rued Langgaards Vej 7
DK-2300 Copenhagen S
Denmark
How to get here

Follow us

ITU Student /
Privacy /
EAN-nr. 5798000417878/
CVR-nr. 29 05 77 53

This page is printed from http://itu.dedicated.cohaesio.net/