Sweden has launched a more far-reaching National Technology Strategy (NTS) that is front-loaded by an artificial intelligence (AI)-focused long-term investment plan to bolster the international competitiveness of indigenous companies large and small.
The NTS represents the most ambitious technology project to be rolled out by prime minister Ulf Kristersson’s centre-right coalition since it took office in 2022.
The development of AI products and services is at the core of the NTS’s capital investment plan. To further elevate state-funded investment and research and development (R&D) activity, the Swedish government has established an AI Commission (AIC) to contribute to AI policy formation. The AIC is chaired by Carl-Henric Svanberg, the former CEO of Ericsson and the present chairman of heavy vehicle maker Volvo.
The AIC’s key mission is to strengthen Sweden’s competitiveness as a global force in international trade, said Erik Slottner, the public administration minister in the Kristersson government responsible for digital and AI policy. “Used correctly, AI can contribute to increased innovation capacity, stronger competitiveness, improved welfare and a more efficient public administration. We want to ensure that
The AIC is tasked with providing concrete proposals to help the Swedish government shape policies that deliver optimum conditions to ensure the competitive, secure and ethical development of AI in Sweden, both in the public and private sectors. The AIC is tasked with conducting a comprehensive analysis of prevailing “conditions” in
Moreover, a significant element in the AIC’s review will focus on providing proposals that identify how Sweden can attract international venture capital to enhance value in AI projects run by state or private organisations, and intended to improve the competitiveness of public administration and propel efficiencies in business and industry generally.
The NTC’s expansive mission will include producing a framework under which the government can more effectively promote and increase state support to public-private partnerships, particularly in the area of advanced AI and digitisation initiatives.
Additional funding
Additional funding is being provided by the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to the National Advanced Digitisation (NAD) project run by a consortium that includes leading corporations Ericsson, ABB Group, Saab, Teknikföretagen and state-owned innovation agency Vinnova.
The role of Teknikföretagen in the NAD is regarded as pivotal given that it functions as the central organisation for employers and companies in
The EU’s regulation focus is on areas of use for AI systems that, although may be either considered prohibited domains or high-risk, can be used if operated correctly under a tighter degree of transparency and oversight rules.
“That the EU can produce common rules for AI products is important for
Sweden’s AIC review will both analyse and identify how the Nordic country can best promote a competitive and safe AI environment in the EU and globally. The AIC is organised into specialist lead and sub-groups to examine key areas such as AI advances, global social policy, digitisation, sensitive information security and related legislation.
Statista, the Hamburg-headquartered research organisation, has forecast that the market size of Sweden’s AI sector is expected to reach over US$3bn in 2023, and show an expected growth rate of over 18.2% over the next decade, to reach a market volume of US$10.6bn by 2030.
Healthcare, public administration, defence, engineering and financial services are regarded as the primary areas for capital investments in AI development and use in
As part of its mission, the AIC will liaise with AI-Råd (AI Board), a consultative group formed by
“Our aim is to achieve a common direction for strategic work within AI at local government level in
Sweden,” said
Katarina Lagerqvist
, Kristinehamn Municipality’s chief digital officer. “
Potential value
A 2020 report by DIGG, the Swedish government’s agency for digital administration established in 2018, estimated the potential value AI could create in Sweden’s public sector to be in excess of 140 billion kronor (€12.5bn) annually. The report noted that municipalities are primed to become a major beneficiary of AI on the cost and efficiency side of their operations.
The government has assigned Innova, the state innovation agency, to support AI projects run for and by municipalities. Innova, which is currently investigating the conditions for optimum gains from the use of AI across all 12 municipalities, instigated the Joint Initiative for AI in Municipalities and Civil Society (Kraftsamling för AI i Kommuner och Civilsamhälle) project in August to help municipalities embrace AI.
“There is a great need for more municipalities to seriously engage in AI usage and to do so in a way that creates conditions where they share information and learn from each other to jointly address important issues,” said Fredrik Weisner, Innova’s area manager for digital transformation.
The development of
The updated FDIA more strictly controls foreign investments, direct and indirect, in Swedish companies regulated under Swedish data protection laws.
Overall, the FDIA deals with emerging technologies and strategic protected technologies such as AI, quantum computers and other technology that may have future or current significance for essential societal services. The legislation also provides for stricter regulations to protect sensitive personal data and location data as defined under General Data Protection Regulation laws.